OPTIMISM is always high, whenever we speak of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in local chambers of commerce and industry. This always fills the air of the National Capital Region (NCR), whenever the Metro Manila Business Conference (MMBC) happens every year. Composed of the 15 local chambers located in the local government units (LGUs) in the NCR, the North Sector served as host of the 2025 gathering of NCR-based businesspeople. Themed as “Strengthening Local Trade, Tourism and Technology for Economic Growth,” the sector is composed of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela.
Navigating the new global trade reality
The national president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Consul Nina Mangio, says that the MMBC comes at a crucial moment in global economic history when trade and investments have become inseparable with geopolitics. She cited as an example the Philippines-US trade deal announced in July 2025 that established a 19-percent tariff on Philippine exports while granting zero-tariff access to American goods.
She says that this creates both challenges and opportunities. The US tariff will impact our important sectors like electronics, textiles and food processing. At the same time, however, it opens new partnership avenues in other high-value sectors and lowers the cost of some essential imports. In this new reality therefore, our chambers must evolve from being traditional trade facilitators to strategic navigators of global complexity.
Metro Manila’s economic leadership
Mangio highlighted data to capitalize on the country’s economic powerhouse — Metro Manila — with numbers that speak for themselves.
The NCR contributed 31.4 percent to the gross domestic product in 2024 — the highest among all regions. NCR posted 9.9-percent growth in government consumption, reflecting robust infrastructure investment. NCR maintains our largest labor market and concentrated high-value industries. Substantial registered investments in technology and innovation continue flowing into the region. The NCR is our laboratory for navigating 21st-century challenges.
When Metro Manila succeeds in implementing inclusive, tech-driven development models, the entire nation benefits.
The indispensable role of chambers
In the landscape of global connectivity, chambers are essential infrastructure for national competitiveness. The local chambers are key in bridging global opportunities with local capabilities. Since business success requires sophisticated global navigation, we are increasing our efforts to forge more productive cooperation with foreign counterparts.
Magnio cited the recent mission to Japan, as an example, that generated promising partnerships. Collaboration with the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Kansai Economic Federation develops comprehensive programs beyond basic language training. We will fast-track intensive Nihongo proficiency while ensuring workers meet rigorous international technical standards. Language proficiency becomes critical in many sectors like health care, where clear communication can mean the difference between life and death. Highly qualified manpower attracts discerning foreign investors who recognize our workforce as genuinely capable and skilled, and not merely affordable. This transforms the Philippines from a low-cost destination to a high-value partner in global value chains.
The close collaboration with Japan’s Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center to advance environmental sustainability and partnership with the Organization for Small and Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation promotes bilateral SME development.
Aligning with national priorities
Parallel to all of these is our intensified advocacy initiatives. PCCI submitted 20 priority legislative measures to Malacañang on the following concerns, many of which were echoed in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent State of the Nation Address. These include digital transformation and infrastructure support; trade, logistics and regulatory modernization reforms; MSME empowerment and agri-modernization enhancements; workforce development and trade facilitation improvements; fiscal, governance and digital security measures.
These reflect PCCI’s continuing mission to help shape a future-ready, inclusive and socially responsive economy.
Magnio has forecast that the next few years will probably determine whether the Philippines will emerge as a regional leader or remain reactive to global shifts. Metro Manila bears special responsibility as our economic powerhouse. The policies that PCCI advocates and the partnerships it forges here will undoubtedly influence our nation’s economy.
The 3Ts — trade, tourism and technology — are pillars upon which we can build our economic future. In an era of geopolitical complexity, these sectors will determine our success.
As the largest business organization in the country, PCCI remains committed to championing an informed, strategic, globally connected voice that understands both opportunities and challenges in our rapidly changing world.
The Bam that PCCI misses
Sen. Bam Aquino was the keynote speaker. He recalls that during his first term in the Senate, he was very lucky to get the chairmanship of the trade, commerce and entrepreneurship committee. He created alliances with the PCCI from 2013 to 2016, and with Go Negosyo and other business groups.
He connects the MSME with education, as he believes that education and entrepreneurship are means for progress. Helping MSME and startups through capitalization, mentorship and market linkages will level the playing field and will increase their likelihood of success along their integration in the value chain.
“One clear way to distribute the wealth is through MSME development,” according to the newly elected senator. By supporting our startups and new businesses, we create these inclusive supply chains which connect our MSMEs to the government and more established or formal companies.
In his first term, the Go Negosyo Act was passed which is anchored on money, market and mentorship.
For this term, he commits to advance the new set of Ms, namely madali (easy), mabilis (fast) and malinis (clean) — referring to the easy and fast and seamless ways of doing business.
Finding the North
The local government executives from the North Sector presented their vision and opened up the opportunities in their growth areas. Malabon Mayor Jennie Sandoval highlighted the city as the city of many firsts but celebrated the digital-driven tourism renaissance of the culturally rich and flavorful city of the metro. Mayor John Reynald Tianco navigated the participants through the smart blue economy as Navotas shifts from being the Fish Capital to the Cold Chain Capital of the region. Alma Bucalen, the chief of City Investment Promotion, presented the positioning of Caloocan City as Manila’s gateway to the North. Valenzuela City councilor Sel Sabino Sy expounded on the city’s smart Valenzuelife.
The Camanava local officials assure the business sector that their friendliness as local government is at par with the other LGUs.
The MMBC presented the Department of Trade and Industry, represented by Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona; and Department of Tourism represented by Undersecretary Maria Rica Bueno. The MMBC is headed by Hernando Delizo, PCCI area vice president for NCR and chairman of MMBC 2025, with regional governors Yolanda de la Cruz for NCR-North Sector and conference director of MMBC 2025.
Delizo echoed the message that the MMBC embraces the synergy for progress, not as a theme but as a call to action — to build a purposeful road map toward growth that is not only measurable but also meaningful. He asserts economic sustainability that is not only resilient, but also inclusive.
The MMBC happens at the Seda Hotel in Quezon City on Aug. 7 and 8.
Congratulations to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-National Capital Region.
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SOURCE: The Manila Times