THE PHILIPPINE Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has elected George T. Barcelon as its new president.
PCCI said in a statement released on Thursday that Mr. Barcelon was elected by the group’s board of directors during the annual meeting held on Dec. 3 last year.
Mr. Barcelon asked for unity in the country’s largest business organization as the Philippines faces a “not so auspicious 2022.”
“Many southern regions are still reeling from the catastrophic Typhoon Odette. The Omicron variant of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is upon us and cases surged at the beginning of the year. Philippine businesses, especially the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), again face the crucible of the pandemic,” Mr. Barcelon said.
“We look forward to a new administration and PCCI stands ready to help collaborate on an economic agenda that will be conducive to immediate business recovery,” he added.
Mr. Barcelon is a returning president who served PCCI back in 2015. He represents the private sector in the Industry Development Council and National Competitive Council.
Newly elected directors include William S. Co, chairman of William and Co. Philippines, Inc.; Eunina V. Mangio, president, Mawell Chemical Corp.; Felino Palafox, Jr., principal architect, Palafox and Associates, Inc.; Ferdinand A. Ferrer, EMS Components Assembly, Inc.; Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr., president, Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc.; Francis Chua, president, CLMC Group/BA Securities; Jeffrey T. Ng, president, Cathay Land, Inc.; Alfredo M. Yao, chairman, Zesto Corp.; Apolinar Aure, director, AEA International, Inc.; Samie Lim, president, BLIMS Lifestyle Group, Inc.; Edgar J. Sia II, president, Double Dragon Properties Corp.; Roberto C. Amores, president, Hilas Marketing Corp.; Michael Chen, chairman, Minavida de Mindanao Corp.; Tess S. Ngan Tian, area vice-president for NCR; Gregoria Simbulan, area vice-president for North Luzon; Sallie Lacson, area vice-president for South Luzon; Frank Carbon, area vice-president for Visayas, and Arturo Milan, area vice-president for Mindanao.
Also inducted into office are the following ex-officio officers: Sergio Ortiz Luis as treasurer; Ivan Uy, as corporate secretary; and Ruben J. Pascual as secretary-general. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
