The 33rd Visayas Area Business Conference (VABC), hosted by PCCI Iloilo on July 25-26, 2024, will showcase an impressive lineup of industry and business leaders as speakers during the conference’s main segments.
The event will commence on July 25 with an opening ceremony, featuring Hon. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez as the keynote speaker. His presence underscores the importance of government leaders in shaping the business landscape. The opening will be followed by a Chamber Development Workshop (CDW). The CDW, a staple in business conferences organized by PCCI, serves as an avenue to equip chamber leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage their groups. It is facilitated by the Philippine Chamber Development Institute (PhilCDI).
The CDW at the 33rd VABC will begin with a plenary session on digitalization and e-commerce, hosted by USAID SPEED Chief of Party, Mr. Noel Santiago. He will be joined by PCCI MSME champions from the Visayas, including Mr. Noi Dongor (Iloilo), Mr. Paulo Uy (Cebu), and Mr. Noel Barquerra (Ormoc City). The second CDW session will be led by Mr. Edward Du, who will discuss best practices in local chambers. He will be joined by chamber presidents such as Engr. Fulbert Woo (Iloilo), Mr. Jay Y. Yuvallos (Cebu), and Mr. Jude Abenoja (Ormoc City). These sessions will be moderated by Engr. Albert Uy (PCCI Region 7 Governor) and Ms. Stephanie Diane ‘Twinkle’ U. Chu (PCCI Region 8 Governor).
On the second day, the main plenary session will highlight the core points of the conference’s theme—empowering business, embracing innovation, and enriching lives. The first plenary session will feature Cebu Pacific Chief Marketing Officer, Ms. Candice Iyog, who will discuss the innovations their airline has adopted and the significant features that can be replicated by other business groups. This session will emphasize the importance of businesses adapting digital transformations in their processes, which is crucial for development and staying competitive in the modern market. This will be followed by a session with Mr. Jose Rene Almendras, who will talk about boosting the force for goodness in collaborations and development. Almendras, a former Cabinet Secretary, is currently the Senior Managing Director of Ayala Corporation.
The third session will focus on enriching lives, a topic especially relevant to Iloilo, which boasts a significant number of BPO companies contributing to its economic development. Ms. Karen Batungbacal, known as the mother of the BPO industry in the Philippines and partner of CEO Advisor, Inc., will discuss how the BPO industry has transformed the local economy, creating jobs and fostering economic growth. To weave these concepts together, the plenary will feature Mr. Bunny Pages, a business icon and columnist in Cebu known for his famous brands such as Thirsty and Fruitfull.
On the conference proper on July 26, renowned Filipino architect, Arch. Felino ‘Jun’ Palafox, Jr. will be the keynote speaker. His contributions to the business sector in the Philippines are substantial, particularly in urban planning and sustainable development. Palafox’s impact on Iloilo’s infrastructure and planning has been significant, with numerous projects that have enhanced the city’s landscape and business environment.
Breaking away from conventional structured conferences, the 33rd VABC aims to create a comprehensive space for learning without overwhelming attendees with information. The plenary sessions are designed to be engaging, featuring open forums with the audience to facilitate interaction and discussion.
