Iloilo Summit Pushes SDG Policy Reforms in Visayas

Over 200 changemakers from more than 60 organizations gathered in Iloilo City on June 24 to craft sustainable development policy reforms tailored for Western Visayas.

Held at the University of the Philippines Visayas Iloilo Campus, the Future Forward: Western Visayas Impact Leadership Summit 2025 was organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Iloilo Chapter under its Impact Initiative Program.

The summit was co-presented by the Iloilo Provincial Government and MORE Electric and Power Corporation, with support from partners including UP Visayas, UNDP Philippines, Ayala Foundation, and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation.

Carrying the theme “Empowering Communities, Sustaining the Environments, and Strengthening Partnerships for a One Western Visayas,” the event focused on grassroots-driven, SDG-aligned policy building.

“We’re not just here to talk. We’re here to build policies, strengthen partnerships, and push for change where it matters,” said Engr. Fulbert C. Woo, PCCI Iloilo President, in his welcome address.

Participants were grouped into five Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) clusters—People, Planet, Peace, Prosperity, and Partnerships—to ensure targeted, community-driven solutions.

Speakers included Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. of Iloilo, UNDP SDG specialist Aljo Quintans, Atty. Chel Diokno of Akbayan Partylist, and senior leaders from the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DepDEV), Ayala Foundation, and MORE Power.

The breakout sessions produced draft policy proposals per SDG cluster, which will be refined and formally lobbied by PCCI Iloilo to relevant local and national institutions.

“This summit is a launchpad,” said Aileen Grace Tan-Lim, Co-Chair of the PCCI Iloilo Impact Initiative. “What we produced today will echo beyond this space as we continue advocating for inclusive and sustainable policies.”

Dr. Clement Camposano, Chancellor of UP Visayas, and Atty. Diokno delivered closing keynotes emphasizing academic partnership and the role of open governance in driving long-term development.

Future Forward 2025 marks the second regional summit in PCCI Iloilo’s Impact Initiative series, following the 2024 summit led by Judge Cyril Regalado and One Network.

The initiative represents a growing movement across Western Visayas to localize the global SDG agenda into actionable, community-led reforms that can influence national policy.