2025 Sustainable Agriculture Forum | 30 April 2025 | Photos

ECCP Luncheon Meeting with DOT | 23 April 2025 | Photos
At the recent Luncheon Meeting with the Department of Tourism - Philippines, Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco emphasized the role of the private sector in helping transform the Philippines into a globally competitive and sustainable tourism destination. She also highlighted DOT’s priorities, including infrastructure, connectivity, and digital transformation, while mentioning ongoing efforts such as the privatization of major airports and the construction of 700+ kilometers of tourism roads in collaboration with other government agencies.

Building on these priorities, ECCP President Paulo Duarte echoed the importance of sustained reforms and investments. He emphasized that while the Philippines holds great promise, it must keep pace through improvements in visa processing, hotel development, workforce upskilling, and digital and physical connectivity.

This message was further reinforced by key voices from the hospitality sector. Executive Director of the Philippine Hotel Owners Association Benito "Bong" Bengzon discussed current challenges such as labor shortages and skills mismatch. Offering a forward-looking design perspective, Tajara Hospitality Group CEO and President Cyndy Tan Jarabata emphasized the shift toward regenerative planning—developing properties that are not only guest-friendly but also community- and environment-conscious. Turning to the marketing landscape, Director for Sales and Marketing at TAG Resort Coron Palawan Mayette Sagales-Delfin shared the value of a hybrid approach—combining digital tools with strong in-person networks.

From the aviation perspective, Samuel David, Country Manager of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), stressed that airports and airlines shape the first impressions tourists form about a country. He called for both day-to-day operational fixes and broader systemic improvements, especially at airport facilities.


JFC Meeting hosted by CanCham | 24 April 2025 | Photo
The ECCP actively participated in a meeting held with our Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines partners last 24 April 2025 at the PepsiCo Office in Makati City, hosted by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (CanCham). The agenda covered key policy developments, including Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 5-2024 or the Tax Treatment of Cross-Border Services, Department of Labor and Employment’s newly issued rules and regulations on the employment of foreign nationals, the Konektadong Pinoy bill, and updates on the Food and Drug Administration’s new schedule of fees and charges, among other matters.

Joining the meeting were Executive Director Florian Gottein and Director for Advocacy and Government Affairs Atty. Kathyrin Pioquinto. The ECCP remains committed to fostering dialogue with partners across the JFC network to promote a more competitive, inclusive, and investment-friendly business environment in the Philippines.


JFC Meeting with the Office of Senate President Chiz Escudero | 8 April | Photo
The ECCP together with its partners from the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFC) held a productive meeting with the Office of Senate President Chiz Escudero to discuss key legislative matters that impact the business community. The discussion centered on the Konektadong Pinoy bill and ongoing concerns regarding data localization, as well as updates on the mining fiscal regime. The meeting also touched on the status of the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA) bill, particularly the proposed imposition of excise tax on pick-up trucks.

Representing the Office of the Senate President were Atty. Lindley Santillan, Mark Gamboa, and Lucian Dioneda, while Atty. Kathyrin Pioquinto represented the ECCP. The Chamber extends its appreciation to the Office of the Senate President for the opportunity to present industry perspectives and for the continued dialogue in advancing policies that support economic growth, innovation, and investor confidence in the Philippines.


2025 Philippine Aviation Summit Event Partnership Signing and Press Conference | 7 April | Photos
Underscoring the linked role of both government and private sector in supporting economic growth and facilitating trade and investment, particularly in the aviation industry, co-organisers European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) and the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA), and Event Co-Presenter and Official Carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) have announced the launch of the 2025 Philippine Aviation Summit at a press conference held on April 7 at Manila Marriott Hotel.

During the event, ECCP and AsBAA formalized a partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), while entering into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with PAL. This partnership highlights a unified approach for a modern aviation sector in the Philippines, regulated by internationally accepted standards and adapted to the Philippine aviation landscape.

Present as signatories were DOTr Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Hon. Jim Sydiongco, DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Development Planning Hon. Verna Buensuceso, CAAP Director General Raul Del Rosario AFP (Ret), PAL President and COO Capt. Stanley Ng and PAL Executive Vice President and General Counsel Atty. Carlos Luis Fernandez, as well as ECCP Director Florian Gottein, and AsBAA Board of Governors Member Max Motschmann.


2025 ECCP Sustainability Forum & Europa Awards | 3 April | Photos
On 3 April 2025, the ECCP held the 2025 Sustainability Forum and Europa Awards to discuss the Philippines’ current position in sustainability and recognize companies that have contributed to promoting sustainability in line with global standards and the Philippine Development Plan.

The session featured two insightful discussions on the government's plans toward a circular economy and a climate-resilient Philippines and the best private sector practices to drive greener business operations. The Chamber also presented the 4th Edition of its Sustainability Whitebook which provides a comprehensive assessment of where the Philippines stands in its sustainability journey and the path private and public sectors must take moving forward.

Notable speakers of the forum include Climate Change Commission Vice Chairman and Executive Director Robert EA Borje; Department of Energy Philippines Assistant Secretary Hon. Mario Marasigan; Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Director Al Orolfo; German Embassy Manila Deputy Head of Mission Mathias Kruse; IFC - International Finance Corporation Global Lead for the Building Resilience Index Program Ommid Saberi; PMFTC Security and Market Safety Manager Engr. Dean Cris Acabo; Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities Senior Policy Advisor Atty. Pete Maniego Jr.; Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines VP for Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Atty. Juan Lorenzo Tañada; Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance Inc. Vice President for Internal Affairs Ruth Yu-Owen; NEO Office PH Co-Managing Director and Chief Sustainability Officer Gie Garcia; and Nestlé Philippines Head of Sustainability and Assistant Vice President Meg Santos. Moderating the sessions were Business for Sustainable Development Executive Director Roderick De Castro and Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation Executive Director Francis Macatulad.

Culminating the event was the awarding of the 2025 Europa Awards, with winning companies Siemens Energy, Cloudstaff, HMR Envirocycle Phils., Inc., The Bellevue Resort, Arcadis, and the Iloilo City Government cinching their respective categories.


FDA Center for Food Regulation Research (CFRR) Industry Meeting | 3 April | Photo
On 3 April 2025, the ECCP Food and Beverage Committee participated in the FDA Center for Food Regulation Research (CFRR) Kapihan and Talakayan. This meeting provided a valuable platform for the committee to directly raise member concerns with CFRR, fostering open dialogue on pressing regulatory issues, e-Portal queries, Codex updates, and more.

Present in the meeting to directly address concerns were Ms. Pilar Marilyn Pagayunan, Director of the CFRR, as well as representatives from the office of Director General Zacate, and the Information and Communication Management Division. Representing ECCP at the meeting were Helen Grace Baisa, F&B Committee Chairperson, and Kyla Uy, Advocacy Officer.


ECCP Automotive Committee Courtesy Call with DOTr Undersecretaries for Road Transport | 2 April | Photo
The ECCP met with Department of Transportation (DOTr) officials to discuss priorities for the Philippine road transport sector in 2025.

In attendance were DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Hon. Mark Steven Pastor, Undersecretary for Road Transport and Non-Infrastructure Hon. Ramon Reyes, and Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Non-Infrastructure Retired Col. Jojo Reyes.

Representing the ECCP were President and Automotive Committee Co-Chairperson Paulo Duarte, Executive Director Florian Gottein, and some of the Automotive Committee Members Francis Lu of MAN Automotive Concessionaires Corporation (MACC), Timothy James Laurel of Shell Philippines, and Fiona-Aileen Valle of Michelin Philippines. ECCP Director for Advocacy and Government Affairs Atty. Kathyrin Pioquinto and Industry and Government Affairs Manager Chin Nethercott also participated in the session.

Chaired by Mr. Duarte, the meeting covered the DOTr’s 2025 road transport plans, ECCP Automotive Committee advocacy recommendations on electric vehicles (EVs), road safety, and improving emission and roadworthiness testing standards, among others.

The group also discussed the planned 2025 ECCP Road Transport Forum slated for this September — an important platform for advancing smart and safer mobility in the Philippines.