MBC elects Bobby Batungbacal as next executive director

THE Makati Business Club’s Board of Trustees has elected former Dow Chemicals Phils. Inc. country manager Roberto F. Batungbacal as the organization’s next executive director. Batungbacal will be taking over on March 15, 2024 from Francisco Alcuaz Jr., who will be departing to join the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. A proper transition is already ongoing.

Batungbacal served 28 years at Dow, including 16 years as Philippine country manager, before retiring in 2023. At Dow, he also served as an Asia Pacific Marketing Manager; a Regional Sales Director covering the Philippines, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand; and a Six Sigma Blackbelt leading projects in North America, Europe and Asia.

He’s held leadership positions in the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Management Association of the Philippines, Federation of Philippine Industries, Samahan sa Pilipinas ng Mga Industriyang Kimika (SPIK), which he helped found, and other organizations.

He has a BS in Chemical Engineering from U.P. Diliman, and an Executive MBA from the Asian Institute of Management. He is a strong advocate of Philippine manufacturing, which is in line with MBC’S main job-creating and global competitiveness advocacies.

“Bobby’s experience as a CEO will be important to furthering MBC’S work with the government on economic policy and with corporations on inclusivity and sustainability,” said MBC Chairman Edgar O. Chua. “He’ll be a great representative of MBC, a strong voice in the board, a credible partner to our members, and a skilled leader of our staff.”

“I’m excited to take on this role in one of the most important organizations in the country,” Batungbacal said. “My mission is so aligned with MBC that I consider myself very lucky to serve as executive director in MBC’S next chapter. Thank you to the board for this privilege and I look forward to meeting and working with our members and partners.”

“We are lucky to get Bobby,” Alcuaz said. “I am confident he’ll nurture and expand the good in what we’ve built, and bring the experience and new ideas that MBC needs to serve the country better and better in the future.”

Alcuaz was elected executive director in 2018. He helped lead and expand MBC through the pandemic and the “new normal.” He stepped up MBC’S government engagement and legislative and regulatory advocacy, made externally funded projects with prestigious partners a major part of operations, and gave corporates the opportunity to support innovative series and events.

“Coco’s leadership was invaluable to the Board and to the staff especially during the challenging political context of the past administration and COVID-19. Coco was instrumental in transforming MBC’S focus and approach especially with the new political and economic climate. ” Chua said.

“From the beginning, Coco has been a stalwart promoter of our values. He helped us continue to balance economic growth with a social conscience.” Vice Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said.

“As I told members in January, thanks to the board, our members, partners, and my amazing colleagues in the staff for the most fulfilling job of my life,” Alcuaz said. “I am full of admiration for you and hope I can reciprocate your trust and support one day.”