Arturo M. Milan, who represents the Aboitiz Power group of companies in Mindanao, led 15 business executives and entrepreneurs as new officers of the multi-awarded Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. last Friday afternoon at the SMX Convention Center of SM Lanang Premier.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio administered the oath of office who was also the guest of honor and speaker of the chamber’s 50th installation ceremonies.

Sworn in aside from Milan were Antonio T. dela Cruz, chairman of the board; Yvonne F. Cabada, executive vice president; Anastacio D. Cubos Jr., vice president for trade and commerce; Belinda L. Torres, vice president for industry; Teresita M. Pascual, vice president for agribusiness; John Carlo B. Tria, vice president for professional and service ventures; Jennifer V. Sazon, corporate secretary; and Al. B. Balagot, corporate treasurer. The board of trustees is composed of Capt. Ronald C. Go, immediate past president; Bonifacio T. Tan, Antonio M. Ajero, Jocelyn A. Romero, Juanito Ricky M. Tagabucba and Marilou W. Ampuan.

Some 300 foreign dignitaries, heads of other chambers of commerce operating in Davao and other parts of the country and members of the chamber witnessed the installation, said to be the most well-attended in recent memory.

Pillars of the chamber led by Sebastian L. Angliongto, honorary life chairman, who was many times chairman of the board and president, came to congratulate Milan and his team. They include past president and chairman Domingo Duerme, past presidents Jose B. Custodio, Dr. Ma. Lourdes G. Monteverde, and Sofronio M. Jucutan. They came with several former officers of the chamber like Myrna Valdez and Leny Castillo.

Past presidents who sent congratulatory messages as they are now aboard or in Manila were Robert Quinto, Simeon Marfori, Joji Ilagan-Bian, Protacio “Cocoy” Tacandong and Daniel Lim.

From the other chambers came lawyer Leoncio P. Villa-Abrille, president of the American Chamber of Commerce-Mindanao; Julian Payne, president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines; and Antonio Peralta of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.

Berlian Napitupulu, consul general of the Republic of Indonesia; Ms Tomoko Dodo, counsellor and director of the Consular Office in Davao of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, and Dato Sri Andrew Abishegam of Malaysia were among the distinguished guests.

Ms Ma. Alegria Limjoco president of the Philipppine Chamber of Commerce, Inc., also delivered her message of support.

This article was originally published on January 29, 2018 on EdgeDavao.net»