Provisional Program
As of September 22, 2025
DAY 1
| SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 (THU) MORNING PLENARY | ||
| 7:00–8:00 | Registration | |
| 8:00–8:30 | Preliminaries | |
| 8:30-8:40 | Welcome Remarks | Mr. Kazuhiro Nomura, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines President |
| 8:40-9:00 | Arangkada Policy Book Launch and Introduction of Keynote Speaker | Mr. Ebb Hinchliffe, American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Executive Director |
| 9:00-9:10 | Keynote Speech: Why Invest in the Philippines? An Overview of the PH Economic Status and Agenda | Secretary Frederick Go, Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (Video Message) |
| 9:10-9:20 | Introduction of Panelists and Moderator | Mr. Paulo Duarte, European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines President |
| 9:20-10:45 | Panel Discussion & Open Forum: Insights on Strengthening Philippine Investment Climate and Ease of Doing Business A high-level, multisectoral dialogue that aims to gather expert insights on addressing key business climate challenges and shaping a more competitive and investor-friendly Philippines. | ● Atty. Elaine Collado, Vriens & Partners Country Director (moderator) ● Mr. Andrew Jeffries, Asian Development Bank Country Director for the Philippines ● Mr. Gonzalo Varela, World Bank Lead Economist ● Sec. Ernesto Perez, Anti-Red Tape Authority ● Asec. Nina Asuncion, Department of Finance ● Mr. Ricky A. Carandang, First Philippine Industrial Park Head of External Affairs |
| 10:45-10:50 | Introduction of Speaker | Mr. Joseph Um, Korean Chamber of Commerce Philippines President |
| 10:50-11:10 | Message of Support | Dr. Enrico Paringit, Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) Executive Director |
| 11:10-11:15 | Introduction of Speaker | Ms. Nicole Butalid, Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters, Inc. Director |
| 11:15-11:35 | Lifetime Achievement Awardee Remarks | Mr. Rene Almendras, Former Energy Secretary |
| 11:35-11:45 | Photo Opportunity | Joint Foreign Chambers Principals & Diplomatic Corps |
| 11:45-12:00 | Overview of Breakout Sessions | Mr. Christopher Ilagan, The Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines President |
| 12:00-13:30 | Lunch | |
| SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 (THU) AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSIONS Note: The breakout sessions will happen simultaneously | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TIME | ACTIVITY | Session 1: AGRIBUSINESS AND CRITICAL MINERALS | Session 2: MANUFACTURING, INFRASTRUCTURE, LOGISTICS | Session 3: DIGITAL ECONOMY, CREATIVE INDUSTRIES, AND TOURISM |
| 13:30–14:00 | Registration for Breakout Sessions | |||
| 14:00–14:10 | ||||
| 14:10–14:20 | Welcome Remarks | Mr. Florian Gottein, ECCP Executive Director | Atty. Mimi Lopez, Philippine Association of Multinational | Ms. Dorothy Drysdale, AMCHAM Committee Chair on Tourism |
| 14:20–14:40 | Keynote Speaker/s | Usec. Asis Perez, Department of Agriculture USec. Carlos Primo David, Department of Environment and Natural Resources | Ms. Maricar Bautista, Spokesperson for Business Infrastructure Department of Transportation | Sec. Henry Rhoel Aguda, Department of Information and Communications Technology Message of Support Dir. Lilian Salonga Acting Executive Director of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council |
| 14:40–15:00 | Presentation/ Discussions | N/A | Fire Side Chat with DOTr Moderator: Dr. Enrico Basilio, Director, University of the Philippines Center for Policy and Executive Development | Keynote Presentation Mr. Paolo Mercado Creative Economy Council of the Philippines President |
| 15:00–16:00 | Panel Discussion | Moderator: Mr. Chris Ilagan, CanCham President Panelists: Atty. Mike Toledo, Chamber of Mines of the Philippines Chairman & President Dr. Roehlano Briones, PIDS Senior Research Fellow Atty. Charade Grande, Manila Water (invited) | Panelists: Mr. Dan Lachica, SEIPI President Ms. Mariz Regis, Airspeed International Corp. President and CEO Mr. Michael Arcatomy Guarin, R.G. Manabat & Co. Co-Head of Advisory Mr. Satya Ramamurthy, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) Chair Public Sector, Structured Finance Department Asia Pacific | Moderator: Ms. Grace Mirandilla-Santos, Independent ICT Policy Researcher and Author of the Arangkada Broadband Policy Brief Panelists: Ms. Lotus Postrado, British Council Country Director Wei Siong Lim,Mastercard Vice President, Government Affairs & Public Policy, Asia Pacific |
| 16:00–16:30 | Q&A and Photo Opportunity | |||
| 16:30-onwards | Closing Remarks | Mr. Chris Ilagan, CanCham President | Mr. Nobuo Fujii, JCCIPI Executive Director | Mr. Joseph Um, KCCP President |
OVERVIEW OF BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Session 1: AGRO- INDUSTRY, WATER, MINING
This breakout session aims to discuss the regulatory landscape and economic outlook on the following key sectors: Agribusiness, Mining, Water. In particular, the session will explore opportunities and challenges in accelerating investments and improving ease of doing business in these critical industries. The discussion will also highlight how policy reforms and private-public collaboration can unlock the full potential of the agro-industrial value chain, with a focus on job creation, rural development, and sustainable growth.
Session 2: MANUFACTURING, INFRASTRUCTURE, LOGISTICS
The session on Fueling Economic Resilience through Policy Convergence in Infrastructure, Manufacturing, and Logistics will focus on how the strategic integration of these key sectors can drive the Philippines toward a more secure, dynamic, and competitive economy. By strengthening the linkages between resilient infrastructure, modern and diversified manufacturing, robust logistics, and efficient supply chains, the country can better withstand external shocks, adapt to rapid technological changes, geopolitical dynamics, and capitalize on opportunities presented by regional integration and international cooperation.
It will emphasize the need for coordinated policy reforms, streamlined regulations, and enhanced public-private partnerships (PPPs) to unlock constructive capital and responsible investments, to accelerate industrial growth, and foster innovation. Ultimately, this convergence is essential not only for advancing sustained economic growth but also for aligning economic security with the Philippines’ broader development goals, ensuring that progress is both inclusive and sustainable. This breakout session is also organized in partnership with Center for International Private enterprise (CIPE).
Session 3: DIGITAL ECONOMY, CREATIVE INDUSTRIES, AND TOURISM
This breakout session explores the regulatory and economic landscape of the digital economy, creative industries, and tourism—strategic sectors that are increasingly vital to national development and global competitiveness. The Philippines’ creative industry, which includes film, music, design, and the arts, is gaining international recognition, driven by a young, tech-savvy workforce and supported by legislation such as the Creative Industries Development Act. Tourism continues to be a major economic contributor, attracting international visitors with the country’s natural landscapes and cultural heritage.
These sectors converge through initiatives such as destination branding, cultural promotion, and heritage preservation, strengthened by digital tools such as social media, virtual tours, and influencer engagement. The digital economy is also expanding rapidly, driven by high mobile service penetration, the growth of e-commerce, and the government’s “Digital Philippines” initiative to establish the country as a regional technology hub. As digital platforms become central to both business and culture, they create new opportunities across these sectors—generating more jobs, investments, and improving services. Together, they have the potential to position the Philippines as a resilient and competitive economy built on culture, technology, and innovation.
DAY 2
| SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 (FRI) HIGHLIGHTING BUSINESS-TO-GOVERNMENT OPPORTUNITIES | ||
| 8:30-9:00 | Registration | |
| 9:00-9:30 | Ribbon Cutting and Preliminaries | Presidents of the Joint Foreign Chambers |
| 9:30-9:35 | Introduction of Keynote Speaker | Mr. Steve Winkates, The Arangkada Philippines Project Director |
| 9:35-9:55 | Welcome Remarks and Keynote Address | Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Ewing, U.S. Embassy Manila |
| 9:55-10:15 | Message of Support | Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo, Board of Investments Managing Head (Video Message) |
| 9:50-11:40 | Government Talk: Investment Promotion Agency | ● Ms. Eries Cagatan, Board of Investments Executive Director ● Sec. Katrina Ponce Enrile, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority Administrator and CEO ● Mr. Hussein Pangandaman, Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan Administrator and Chief Executive Officer ● Atty. Gil G. Taway IV, Aurora Pacific Economic Zone President and CEO ● Darryl Garcia, Division Chief – Master Planning Division and Executive Assistant, Bases Conversion and Development Authority ● Mr. Rodem R. Perez,Clark Development Corporation Assistant Vice President for Business Enhancement Department ● Ms. Maria Veronica Magsino, Philippine Economic Zone Authority Deputy Director General for Finance and Administration ● Ms. Karen Magno, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Department Head III ● Atty. Karen Mae G. Sarinas-Baydo, TIEZA Assistant Chief Operating Officer |
| 11:40-12:00 | Midday Keynote | Mr. Mark Lapid, Chief Operating Officer TIEZA |
| 12:15 -13:30 | Break | |
| SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 (FRI) STRENGTHENING BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES | ||
| 13:30-13:40 | Afternoon Preliminaries | |
| 13:40-14:00 | Intermission/ Special Performance | Hosted by Korean Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines |
| 14:00-14:15 | Keynote Speech | Mr. Rafael Ongpin, Makati Business Club Executive Director |
| 14:15-14:30 | Industry Talk | Ms. Celeste Ilagan, IBPAP Chief-Operating-Officer |
| 14:30-15:00 | Industry Talk: SHOCKED: De-risking the energy transition | Mr. Ronald Acio, GHD Group Pty Ltd Senior Director of Business Development |
| 15:00-15:30 | Industry Talk | Ms. Monica Lorenzana Trajano, Vice President for Commercial Strategy Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates |
| 15:30-16:00 | Industry Talk | Mr. Mon Abrea, Asian Consulting Group Inc. Founding Chairman |
| 16:00-16:30 | Industry Talk: ACCIONA’s Sustainable Infrastructure Legacy in Southeast Asia | Mr. Francisco Moreno, ACCIONA Head of Business Development, Southeast Asia |
| 16:30-17:00 | Industry Talk | Mr. Emman Caguimbal, Xperto Founder & CEO |
| 17:00-17:15 | Pledge of Commitment & Closing Ceremonies | JFC Principals |
| 17:15-17:30 | Closing Remarks | Mr. Bruce Winton, American Chamber of Commerce Board Member and Multi-Property Vice President Philippines and General Manager of Marriott Manila |