Senate Technical Working Group Meeting on CREATE MORE | 21 June 

Atty. Alden Labaguis, Vice Chairperson of the ECCP Tax and Financial Services Committee, represented the Chamber at the Senate Technical Working Group Meeting on the CREATE MORE Bill held in a face-to-face format last 21 June, at the Senate Office. As part of this meeting, the Joint Foreign Chambers, which the ECCP is a member of, presented its position/recommendations on the proposed measure.

ECCP Information Session on Government Initiatives to Combat Plastic Waste | 20 June 

The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines hosted an insightful information session on stakeholders' sustainability initiatives at Spaces, BGC. The event featured discussions on the latest government efforts to combat plastic waste and  related strategies involving multi-sectoral collaboration, with focus on the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility Law.

Esteemed speakers and panellists from the Department of Finance, DENR-Environmental Management Bureau, Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability, SGV, Holcim Philippines, Nestle Philippines, and Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines contributed to this platform by exchanging important and timely insights on shaping a sustainable future for all. This session was organised in partnership with Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc., Holcim Philippines, Nestle Philippines, Unilever Philippines, and with the support of ASAP Heli Forklift.

ECCP Human Capital Committee Meeting | 20 June | Photo

On 20 June, the ECCP Human Capital Committee gathered for a committee meeting at the Quisumbing Torres office in Taguig City. At this meeting, the members received a presentation from Mr. Sherwin Urbano,  Head of Business Growth Department at In.Corp Corporate Services Philippines, Inc, on HR Compliance and Fundamentals. In his presentation, Mr. Urbano covered reportorial requirements, tax annualization, and recruitment trends, among others. After the presentation, the committee members also had an exchange on industry developments and recommendations.

ARTA Launching of Executive Order No. 59 (s. 2024) and Ceremonial Signing of its Implementing Guidelines | 18 June | Photo

The ECCP took part in the launch of Executive Order No. 59, s. 2024 on Streamlining The Permitting Process For Infrastructure Flagship Projects (IFPs), and Ceremonial Signing of its Implementing Guidelines co-organized by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) last 18 June 2024 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City. Representing the Chamber was Associate Director for Government and International Affairs Sophia Ordoña.

Arangkada Second Roundtable Discussion on Philippine Airport Infrastructure | 18 June | Photo

Represented by Aviation Committee Co-Chairpersons Atty. Mannix Manalo and Ms. Lourdes Cariño-Angeles, as well as Committee Member Mr. Max Motschmann, the ECCP took part in the  Arangkada Second Roundtable Discussion (RTD) on Philippine Airport Infrastructure on 18 June 2024 at the Robert Sears Hall, AmCham Philippines. At the RTD, the group discussed the state of Philippine airport infrastructure as well as policy recommendations to address persisting institutional issues in the Philippine aviation sector, among others.

ECCP and DOTr Courtesy Meeting to the German Ambassador | 11 June | Photo

On 11 June, the ECCP, together with Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports, Hon. Bobby Lim, met with German Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke. This meeting provided a platform for an exchange between the ECCP and its Aviation Committee, the DOTr, and the German Embassy on areas for collaboration between the Philippines and Germany in the aviation sector. At the said meeting, the ECCP Aviation Committee likewise had an opportunity to talk about its policy advocacy recommendations, including those on airport infrastructure, incentives for industry players, aviation safety systems, and sustainability efforts in the aviation sector, among others.

In attendance from the ECCP were Mr. Paulo Duarte, ECCP President; Mr. Florian Gottein, ECCP Executive Director; Mr. Jussi Hoikka, Airbus Chief Representative to the Philippines and ECCP Director; Atty. Manolito Manalo, OMLAW Managing Partner and ECCP Aviation Committee Co-Chairperson. Also present were Ms. Katharina Bandelow, German Embassy Economic and Commercial Officer; Mr. Maximilian Motschmann, AsBAA Vice Chairman; Mr. Junard Cruz, DOTr Consultant; and Ms. Katrina Baligod, ECCP Manager for Industry and Government Affairs.

ECCP Environment and Water Committee Meeting | 11 June | Photo

The ECCP Environment and Water Committee convened last 11 June at the ECCP Office in Makati City, with some Davao-based committee members dialing in via Zoom. During the meeting, the members discussed the Advocacy Recommendations presented within the ECCP Advocacy Papers 2024. The committee also discussed notable developments within the industry such as updates on the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law.

The group also discussed the Committee’s upcoming events namely, the ECCP Information Session on Government Initiatives to Combat Plastic Waste and the Water Challenge Forum happening on 20 June and 17 July, respectively.

Meeting of the European Business Organisation Worldwide Network (EBOWN) | 03-07 June | Photos

ECCP Executive Director, Mr. Florian Gottein, who also currently serves as the Treasurer of the European Business Organisation Worldwide Network (EBOWN), participated in the organisation’s annual meeting in Brussels, Belgium. The week-long activity gathered 48 delegates from 43 EBOs for high-level discussions with representatives from the European Commission and the European Investment Bank, among others. Key topics included critical raw materials, economic security, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), sustainable development, and strengthening EU collaborations with its global partners. In several of these meetings, Mr. Gottein also handed out copies of the ECCPs’ publications, including the 2024 Advocacy Papers, 2024 Doing Business in the Philippines Guidebook, and 2023 Sustainability Whitepaper.

In photos:

1. Meeting with  Mr. Michael Hager, Head of Cabinet of Executive Vice President Dombrovskis

2. Meeting with Mr. Taneli Lahti, Head of Cabinet of Commissioner Urpilainen

3. Meeting with Mr. Tomas Baert, Trade Adviser of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

4. Meeting with Mr. Pascal Kerneis of the European Services Forum

5. Meeting with EBO ASEAN delegates

6. With EBO global partners

Joint Foreign Chambers’ Meeting with the IMF Mission | 06 June | Photo

The ECCP and its Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) partners, attended a meeting with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Mission last 06 June, at the Manila Elks Club in Makati City, to discuss the Philippines’ Economic Outlook for 2024 and the medium term as well as salient views on foreign direct investment (FDI) developments and key structural reforms.

Moreover, the JFC elaborated on regulatory issues and the infrastructure industry in relation to the Philippines’ business environment. At the meeting, the ECCP was represented by Mr. Roman Menz, ECCP Vice President. Meanwhile, also present from the IMF Mission were Ms. Elif Saxegaard, Mission Chief and Mr. Ragnar Gudmundsson, IMF Resident Representative to the Philippines.

ECCP Tourism Committee Meeting | 06 June | Photo

Co-Chaired by Ms. Gwen Dela Cruz and Atty. Cenelyn Manguilimotan-Dalnay, the ECCP Tourism Committee convened last 6 June 2024 via Zoom with guest speaker Department of Tourism (DOT) OIC-Director for Industry Manpower Development Hon. Arlene Alipio. Director Alipio discussed the Agency’s priorities and initiatives for tourism workforce development. Additionally, the Committee had the opportunity to present the 2024 Tourism Advocacy Recommendations to the DOT.

BIR-PMSG Meeting with Sen. Gatchalian on BIR RMC 05-2024 | 31 May | Photo

On 31 May, the ECCP was represented as a member of the Joint  Foreign Chambers of the Philippines at the Bureau of Internal Revenue - Partnership with Multi-Sectoral Group (BIR-PMSG) Private Sector Committee Meeting with Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Chairperson of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. At the virtual meeting, the industry and tax representatives provided their insights on the BIR Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 05-2024 and CREATE More Act. Senator Gatchalian likewise shared the Senate’s response to and insights on these developments.  The ECCP was represented by Atty. Alden Labaguis, Vice Chairperson of the ECCP Tax and Financial Services Committee.