PCCI: 120 Years of Driving Business Excellence and Growth

By Ted Aldwin Ong

Celebrating 120 years of service, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI-Iloilo Chapter) has seen Iloilo evolve from periods of challenge to moments of progress, emerging as a dynamic and rapidly growing center of commerce.

Pioneering leaders such as Raymundo Melliza (1904–1908) and Walter Smith (1918–1923) helped steer the Chamber through its formative years. “Their leadership anchored the earliest forms of organized business cooperation in the region,” said Noi Dongor, PCCI vice-president, emphasizing that the strong groundwork laid by these early presidents became the firm foundation upon which the Chamber’s century-long legacy and Iloilo’s ongoing transformation would be built.

The Chamber weathered war, reconstruction, economic transition and modernization. Guided by successive generations of leaders, it stayed true to its mission and continued to grow, becoming one of the oldest, most enduring and highly awarded business institutions in the country today.

The PCCI has maintained its course for 120 years through the art and science of good leadership and sound management, surviving major crises that marked much of the 20th century, from the recessions of the 1920s up to the 2000s, and those of the early 21st century, including the Asian Financial Crisis from 1997 to 1999 and the COVID 19 pandemic from 2020 to 2023.

PCCI’s mission and goals are now carried forward by a new generation of trailblazers. Business leaders like Noi Dongor in the coffee industry, Fulbert C. Woo, a well-known name in the socio-civic sector, Frank Y . Limsui, Francis V. Gerona, Prince Juliene Hermaine Celo, and Felix H. Tiu, among others, exemplify this continuity. Alongside these leaders, competent young women and men in leadership roles now serve as vital bridges connecting the Chamber’s rich past with its promising future.

Despite their significant contributions, the role of chambers of commerce is often not fully understood by the public. Organizations such as PCCI Iloilo perform multifaceted functions that are vital to local and regional economic development. Their work offers valuable insights for business and economics research, particularly in examining how they operate within and influence the broader development ecosystem.

Chambers of commerce sit alongside government leaders at the decision-making table to ensure that the perspectives and needs of the business community are represented in policy formulation. By participating in city, provincial, and regional development councils, they act as a collective voice advocating for pro-business policies, ranging from tax reforms and infrastructure development to regulation. Through these public–private dialogues, chambers help create an environment that supports business growth, ensuring that the concerns of enterprises, both large and small, are carefully considered in the decisions that shape the local and regional economy.

Beyond advocacy, chambers are essential hubs for networking and business connections. Through expos, conferences, and business-matching events, they provide opportunities for companies to meet, collaborate, share investments, and grow. This is the significance of events like the Iloilo Business Expo (ILOBEX) and the Iloilo Business Month which brings together a host of fora like Agrinovate 2.0 and business-to-business (B2B) discussions.

This networking is especially valuable for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) who comprise more than 90 percent of total businesses in the local economy. Supporting SMEs is a critical dimension of a chamber’s work, providing training programs, mentorship, and business development services while also facilitating access to capital through partnerships with financial institutions and connecting businesses to markets via trade events. These efforts help ensure that small enterprises can thrive alongside larger, more established firms.

Chambers of commerce also play a strategic role in promoting investment. By showcasing the region’s competitive advantages, they attract potential investors and implement programs that help local businesses become more investment-ready. Their support often extends beyond the initial investment, assisting investors in navigating local regulations, accessing skilled talent, and expanding their operations. Through these sustained efforts, chambers have significantly contributed to improving the Ease of Doing Business in Iloilo.

Community engagement and quality of life initiatives further extend the chamber’s influence beyond pure business concerns. Many chambers partner with local governments, non-profits, and educational institutions to improve infrastructure, promote local tourism, and support social programs, demonstrating that economic growth and community well-being can go hand in hand.

They also provide critical information and research, offering business intelligence, market studies that help members navigate opportunities and challenges, and tourism and local brand-building by promoting cultural events and local products, enhancing market visibility, and creating economic opportunities for artisans and farmers.

With technology and the advent of Artificial Intelligence, PCCI has fostered innovation and entrepreneurship through incubators and accelerators, supporting startups and promoting a culture of creativity and technological advancement. The roles of PCCI have evolved with time and have responded accordingly with political and economic realities.

Collectively, these roles position chambers, in collaboration with other business groups, as vital hubs that drive growth, competitiveness, and community development. Much remains to be written about the work and impact of PCCI.

Marking 120 years, the Chamber’s celebration is not only a milestone for its members but also a shared achievement for Ilonggos, reflecting the enduring vision, leadership, and collaboration that have shaped Iloilo’s economic and social landscape.