ECCP Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Committee Meeting | 2 December | Photo
On 2 December, the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Committee convened for its last committee meeting of the year. Hosted by DivinaLaw, the meeting was held at Restaurant Aurora, Pacific Star Building in Makati City.

The discussion focused primarily on the committee-led events and initiatives that occurred within 2024, highlighting the committee’s engagements with high-level government officials and agencies including Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), and key personnel from the Department of Energy (DOE). Additionally, the body shared industry-specific updates and concerns while also identifying the most relevant stakeholders to engage with in the following year.

To join or inquire about the Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Committee, please contact advocacy@eccp.com

ECCP Automotive Committee Meeting | 3 December | Photo

The ECCP Automotive Committee convened on Tuesday, 3 December 2024, via Zoom Video Conference. Chaired by Committee Leaders Paulo Duarte and Willy Tee Ten, key discussions included the 2024 committee activities and initiatives, industry updates on the expanded scope of the temporary tariff removal scheme for electric vehicles, the draft Department Administrative Order on automotive products certification, and the draft Implementing Guidelines of the Philippine Transport Vehicles Fuel Economy Labeling Program (VFELP-IG on FEL-RTV). The meeting also served as a platform for sharing insights and developments across the sector, fostering collaboration, and advocacy for the industry.

To join or inquire about the Automotive Committee, please contact advocacy@eccp.com.

ECCP Automotive Committee Meeting with NEDA | 3 December | Photo

The ECCP Automotive Committee held a productive meeting earlier today, 3 December 2024, with National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Assistant Secretary for Sectoral Policy and Planning Reynaldo Cancio via Zoom. The agenda focused on advancing the electric vehicle (EV) industry, including discussions on ECCP’s policy recommendations on EV incentives, and updates on the expanded scope of Executive Order (EO) 12 on the temporary tariff removal for EVs.

Joining the meeting were ECCP President and Automotive Committee Co-Chair Paulo Duarte, Committee Co-Chair Willy Tee Ten, members Yeale Frokjaer of Autohub Group and Diego Bautista of Bosch Philippines, and Senior Advocacy Officer Chin Nethercott.

To join or inquire about the Automotive Committee, please contact advocacy@eccp.com.

ECCP Tax and Financial Services Committee Meeting | 3 December | Photo

The ECCP Tax and Financial Services Committee Meeting convened its last committee meeting for the year 2024 last 03 December. The meeting was held at the ECCP Office Board Room, Makati City. Key discussions included industry updates such as CREATE More, Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No.5-2024, VAT on Digital Services, BSP Memorandum No. N-2024-035 or the User Guide for Circular No. 1187 on the Adoption of the Philippine Sustainability Finance Taxonomy Guidelines, BSP Circular No. 1203, Series of 2024 or the BSP Guidelines on Operational Resilience, and Base Erosion and Profit Sharing (BEPS) Pillar II. The meeting also served as a platform for sharing insights and developments across the sector, fostering collaboration, and advocacy for the industry.

To join or inquire about the Tax and Financial Services Committee, please contact advocacy@eccp.com.

3rd EU-Philippines Partnership Conference - Unlocking the EU Market: Achieving exports and trade success in the EU for Philippine MSMEs | 4 December | Photo

The ECCP is thrilled to have partnered with the International Trade Center (ITC), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines at the 3rd EU-Philippines Partnership Conference: Unlocking the EU Market - Achieving Exports and Trade Success for Philippine MSMEs. This event successfully brought together key experts and stakeholders to empower our MSMEs for global success.

The conference tackled critical topics such as the GSP+ scheme, EU trade policies, consumer trends, and sustainability-focused regulations, with a focus on actionable insights for Philippine exporters. It also highlighted the ongoing EU-Philippines Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations and celebrated 60 years of EU-Philippines relations.

The Chamber proudly contributed to the discussions with Vice President Roman Menz delivering an opening message, Tax and Financial Services Committee Vice Chair Atty. Alden Labaguis serving as a panelist in Session 1 titled “The EU Market: Opportunities and Challenges for Philippine Exporters,” and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Committee Chair Atty. Tony Abad moderating the last session on Decoding the EU Green Deal.

DOE 2024 Energy Investment Forum | 5 December | Photo

The Department of Energy (DOE) hosted the 2024 Energy Investment Forum on 5 December at the Hilton Manila Hotel. With the theme “Energy Transition: A Symphony of Change,” the forum focused on the transformative role of innovation, collaboration, and sustainable practices across the energy supply chain.

Represented by Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Co-Chair Ruth Yu-Owen, the ECCP delivered a presentation providing insights on the role of collaborative frameworks and partnerships in driving the energy transition. Ms. Yu-Owen also touched on the ECCP's key efforts in facilitating sustainable energy initiatives as well as the challenges and opportunities for European firms and partners in the Philippines’ renewable energy landscape.

2025 Economic Outlook | 5 December | Photos

Bosch x TESDA MOU Signing | 5 December | Photo

On 5 December 2024, the ECCP witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between its Technology Partner Bosch Philippines and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) at the TESDA Board Room in Taguig City.

This significant collaboration marks a new chapter in advancing workforce training and development, particularly in the field of advanced manufacturing. Together, TESDA and Bosch are committed to empowering Filipino workers with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an evolving industry landscape.

ECCP Agriculture Committee Meeting | 9 December | Photo

On 9 December, the ECCP Agriculture Committee convened via zoom for their final committee meeting of 2024. During the meeting, Agriculture Committee Chairperson Ms. Ruth Novales recalled the committee-led activities and initiatives that transpired throughout the year, which includes the launch of the 2024 edition of the Agriculture Advocacy Papers and the 2024 Sustainable Agriculture Forum.

Agriculture Committee Co-Chairperson Dr. Mary Ann Sayoc also presented the most recent industry updates and developments surrounding some of the committee’s advocacy recommendations. The body, likewise, conducted a preliminary planning session for the coming year.

To join or inquire about the ECCP Agriculture Committee, please contact advocacy@eccp.com.

ECCP and CIP Courtesy Meeting to ERC Chairperson Atty. Monalisa Dimalanta | 9 December | Photo

The ECCP, together with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, paid a courtesy visit to Energy Regulatory Commission Chairperson Atty. Monalisa Dimalanta on 9 December at the ERC Office in Pasig City. At the meeting, the Chamber, CIP, and ERC discussed the country’s current energy landscape compared to its regional neighbors within ASEAN.

Present from CIP were Partner Robert Helms, Co-CEOs Rune Damgaard and Jesper Holst, Head of Legal in the Philippines Atty. Teodulo San Juan, Head of External Affairs Jasper Manlapaz, and Business Development Director Francis Daba. Joining CIP was Atty. Crisitina Collantes-Garcia, partner at Romulo Law Firm.

At the conclusion of the meeting, ECCP Executive Director Florian Gottein presented Atty. Dimalanta with the 2024 Edition of the ECCP Advocacy Papers and the 2024 Doing Business in the Philippines Handbook. ECCP Director for Public Policy, Advocacy, and Projects Sophia Ordoña, and Advocacy Officer Joaquin Reloj also took part in the engagement.

Private Sector Consultation for CREATE MORE IRR | 10 December

The ECCP participated in the Private Sector Consultation on CREATE MORE Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) held on 10 December 2024 at the PEZA Convention Center. Represented by ECCP Director for Public Policy, Advocacy, and Projects Sophia Ordoña, we joined industry leaders, business groups, and other stakeholders in discussing key insights and recommendations to ensure the effective implementation of the CREATE MORE Act.

The Chamber remains committed to collaborating with the government and private sector to foster a more competitive and inclusive business environment in the Philippines. To access the latest draft of the CREATE MORE IRR, please visit this link: https://firb.gov.ph/resources/create-more/

Luncheon Meeting with BSP Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier | 10 December | Photos

On December 10, the ECCP, together with the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and Salmon Philippines, held the final luncheon meeting of the year with Hon. Chuchi Fonacier, Deputy Governor of the Financial Supervision Sector (FSS) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

In her keynote speech, Deputy Governor Fonacier outlined the objectives and implications of the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA) in enhancing the integrity of financial accounts and the overall financial system. AFASA prohibits various acts of financial account scamming, including money muling and social engineering schemes, while placing significant responsibilities on financial institutions to protect clients' accounts. Under AFASA, the BSP is authorized to investigate financial accounts, apply for cybercrime warrants, and enforce risk management practices among institutions.

Additionally, the presentation discussed the evolving landscape of digital banking in the Philippines with the establishment of a digital banking framework in December 2020 and the licensing of six digital banks in 2022. The BSP plans to lift the moratorium on new digital bank licenses starting January 2025, allowing for a maximum of 10 additional banks.

The keynote address was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Atty. Maria Concepcion Simundac-Delos Santos, ECCP Tax and Financial Services Committee Chairperson and Director and Lead Legal Counsel at ING Bank Philippines. Panelists included Hon. Chuchi G. Fonacier, UBX President and CEO Mr. John Januszczak, SGV & Co. Partner and Financial Services Organization Leader Mr. Christian Lauron, RCBC Executive Vice President and Chief Innovations and Inclusion Officer and Fintech Alliance PH Founding Chairman Mr. Lito Villanueva, Salmon PH Co-Founder and Rural Bank of Sta. Rosa Laguna President and CEO Mr. George Chesakov, and Bank of the Philippine Islands Vice President, Enterprise Information Security Officer and Data Protection Officer Mr. Jonathan John Paz.

ECCP Sustainability Committee relaunch meeting | 11 December | Photo

On 11 December 2024, the ECCP Sustainability Committee was successfully relaunched over a lunch meeting held at the Luna Room, Manila House. The session focused on defining the committee's goals and mission, including identifying envisioned outcomes and key stakeholders, as well as creating an action plan for 2025. Discussions revolved around prioritizing key initiatives and setting timelines for their implementation, ensuring a clear roadmap for the year ahead.

The meeting was led by the committee's esteemed co-chairs: Ms. Gie Garcia, Co-Managing Director and Chief Sustainability Officer of NEO; Engr. Sam Manlosa, Chief Sustainability Officer of Holcim; and Dr. Glenda Antonio; Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Spring Rain Global, who joined virtually. ECCP Executive Director Florian Gottein and Director for Public Policy, Advocacy, and Projects Sophia Ordoña joined the engagement as well.

This productive session marked a renewed commitment to advancing sustainability initiatives, and we are excited about the collaborative opportunities that lie ahead. To join or inquire about the ECCP Sustainability Committee, feel free to contact us at advocacy@eccp.com.

ECCP Customs and Logistics Committee Meeting | 11 December | Photo

On 11 December 2024, the ECCP Customs and Logistics Committee Meeting was held at the ECCP office in Makati City. The session, led by co-chairs Atty. Mark Tamayo and Mr. Michael Raeuber, shared some key developments on the customs and logistics industry.

Updates provided were particularly on the Draft Customs Administrative Order (CAO) on Rules and Regulations in the Determination of Transport, Loading, Unloading, and Handling Charges, as Adjustments to the Price Actually Paid or Payable for the Imported Goods, and on the Charges imposed by Shipping Lines, which seeks to regulate destination charges. Also tackled was the Administrative Order (AO) No. 23, May 13 2024 or the guidelines to Implementing a Digital and Integrated System for the Pre-Border Technical Verification and Cross-Border Electronic Invoicing of All Import Commodities.

The Committee had a lively discussion regarding issues that they face in customs and delved into various industries such as agriculture, real estate, power, among others. To join or inquire about the ECCP Customs and Logistics Committee, feel free to contact us at advocacy@eccp.com.

Impact of CREATE MORE on European Businesses in the Philippines | 13 December | Photo

During the virtual forum, BDB Law Senior Partner Atty. Irwin Nidea Jr. and Partner Atty. Mabel Buted provided insights into value-added tax (VAT) and other indirect tax incentives introduced under the CREATE MORE initiative.

Atty. Nidea highlighted incentives in the Philippines and the evolution of tax policies such as the TRAIN, CREATE, and CREATE More laws. CREATE MORE, which took effect on November 28, 2024, introduces significant changes to VAT incentives, emphasizing a shift from the "direct and exclusive use" principle to a more flexible "directly attributable" principle. This allows more goods and services, including administrative expenses like legal or janitorial services, to qualify for VAT zero-rating if they are directly attributable to the registered activity of an export enterprise.

In her presentation, Atty. Mabel Buted provided a detailed analysis of CREATE MORE's income tax-based incentives, highlighting three key types—Income Tax Holiday (ITH), Special Corporate Income Tax (SCIT), and Enhanced Deductions Regime (EDR). A significant structural change under CREATE MORE is the enhanced authority of IPAs, which can now independently grant incentives for investments up to PHP 15 billion, while larger investments remain under the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB).

Moderating the session and offering his insights on how these incentives aim to attract investments, support economic recovery, and promote industry competitiveness was Atty. Fulvio Dawilan, Managing Partner at BDB Law.

We extend our sincerest gratitude to BDB Law for their partnership in co-hosting this virtual session, and to our online attendees for their engagement and participation in the discussion!