Chamber marks 130th anniversary

The Chamber of Commerce of Philippine Islands ( the Chamber) kicks- off the year- long celebration of its 130th anniversary with the presentation of the Chamber’s slogan vision “History Builds the Future 2030: Five Pillars” on May 12, 5:00 pm at the Chamber building along Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila.

Jose Luis U. Yulo, Jr., president of the Chamber, said the Five Pillars “cover what we believe are essentials to make the Philippines catch up, leap frog and regain our number one economic position in ASEAN by 2030.” The Chamber is the oldest business institution in the Philippines created by a Royal Decree issued by Queen Regent Maria Cristina in 1886.

As “imperatives for the new administration and the citizenry,” the Five Pillars enumerated by Yulo are the Filipino and education, the government, infrastructure and environment, business and economy.

The Chamber to be led by Yulo, chairman Benigno Ricafort, chairman emeritus Ramon Pedrosa, its board officers and directors will submit the master plan to the newly elected president of the country.

With the hope the new leaders and the Filipino populace will support, imbibe and implement the Five Pillars, this will bring about, Yulo said, “a strong economy that is diverse, self-sufficient in food, creates wealth from various sectors that is effectively controlled by Filipinos, but at the same time, balanced out by foreign competitive participation.”

Part of the program is the re- launch of the Commerce magazine now on its 111th year. First published in 1905 in Spanish and later on both in Spanish and English, it reflects the views of the Chamber on issues of the times.

Through the years, the magazine has been the “Voice of Philippine Business” until it ceased operation during the martial law years.

With Yulo as the 60th president of the Chamber, the Commerce magazine was revived in 2014.

The Annual General Membership Meeting (AGMM) will likewise be held at the Center Hall. Invitation is extended to 25 year-old companies since they are automatic honorary members of the Chamber.

Highlights of the meeting are the President’s Report by Yulo and the confirmation of appointment of former Chamber president Paulino Dionisio, Jr. as chairman of the Council of Mentors, a project of the Chamber which aims to assist new business opportunities for the economic development of the country.