PCCI Iloilo marks 120 years, honors ‘Captains of the Industry’

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

One hundred twenty years after the chamber movement first took root in Iloilo, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)–Iloilo celebrated its anniversary on Dec. 9 by honoring Ilonggo business leaders who helped drive the province’s economic rise.

PCCI Iloilo Chairman Felix Tiu described the chamber’s 120th year as a moment to both commemorate its legacy and recommit to steering Iloilo’s growth amid rapid economic shifts.

“A century and two decades is a testament to the resilience, foresight, and unyielding spirit of Iloilo’s business community,” he said.

“PCCI Iloilo has been a constant driving force, adapting to economic shifts, championing local enterprises, and laying the groundwork for the robust economic landscape that we see today,” he added.

The celebration also highlighted the chamber’s highest honor — the 2025 Captains of the Industry Awards — given to distinguished business leaders whose vision, leadership, and resilience have shaped Iloilo into one of the country’s most dynamic economic centers.

“This award is not given lightly,” Tiu said. “It is reserved for an individual whose vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment have not only built a successful enterprise, but also profoundly shaped the economic landscape of Iloilo.”

He added that the awardees embody excellence, integrity, and an innovative spirit — qualities that PCCI Iloilo seeks to inspire.

“They are the frontrunner, a benchmark for success, and a source of pride for the entire Iloilo business community,” he added.

2025 Captains of the Industry Awardees:

• Agriculture:Emil Anthony Po
• Education: Mary Lou Lacson-Arcelo
• Food Services:Raymundo Robles
• Hardware:Tomas Tan
• Healthcare: Vicente Villareal
• Hospitality:Romeo Go
• Manufacturing:Alfonso Uy
• Media: Rogelio Florete
• Posthumous – Wholesale:Rodolfo Tiu
• Posthumous – General Merchandise:Que Hua Pho
• Real Estate:Bernadette Tiu
• Transportation:Jan Andrew Po

The anniversary celebration also spotlighted rising and established business trailblazers through the fourth Ilonggo Entrepreneur Awards, which recognize individuals whose resilience and creativity stand out amid shifting economic landscapes.

This year’s awardees are:

• Aspiring Ilonggo Entrepreneur Award:Amy Liza Diopita of Draft Master
• Young Ilonggo Entrepreneur Award:Jan Vincent Sollesta of GalenX
• Ilonggo Entrepreneur of the Year Award:Johnny Que of Coffee Break

A GROWING CHAPTER

PCCI Iloilo President Fulbert Woo highlighted the four core principles guiding the chamber’s work: inclusivity, innovation, inspiration, and impact.

Since 2022, the chamber has grown from 42 to 324 members, expanding its reach beyond traditional businesses to include startups, creatives, youth groups, farmers, cooperatives, women’s organizations, academia, and civil society.

“Our chamber today is a home for the smallest and the micro entrepreneurs, all the way to the biggest corporations in Iloilo. Everyone stands on equal ground. Everyone has a voice and everyone has something to contribute,” he said.

Woo emphasized that Iloilo’s progress is a collective effort across different communities and industries.

“Iloilo’s progress is not only carried by one industry alone or one organization. It is a collective strength of the many of the communities involved in Iloilo,” he added.

He also pointed to the chamber’s aggressive push for innovation, with programs such as mentorship initiatives helping position Iloilo as a rising startup hub.

“Innovation is not just a startup program. It became our mindset. We were no longer just reacting to change, but we became part of the driving to make people change,” he highlighted.

Beyond programs, Woo said the chamber seeks tangible impact — from supporting small entrepreneurs to shaping policies and strengthening relationships that uplift communities.

“This (impact) is the playbook because programs only matter if they touch different lives […] our goal has always been to create ripples, even the small, to go beyond events and awards, to shape beliefs, influence and convert,” he emphasized.

As he ends his term, Woo said the chamber’s future is secured by the presence of emerging leaders — including potential future presidents and board members — who are young and innovative.

Iloilo Provincial Administrator Raul Banias underscored the crucial role of the business community in driving the province’s growth.

Banias said the province’s economic strength “was not an accident,” but the product of generations of Ilonggos who took risks, innovated, and built the foundations of local commerce.

He credited PCCI Iloilo for serving as a “constant variable” in the province’s progress and a key partner of the provincial government, particularly in shaping the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office and refining business competitiveness programs.

As Iloilo faces new global and local challenges, he urged stronger public–private cooperation to build an inclusive, agile, and globally competitive province.

“As we honor the past 120 years, we must now look to the next 120. The world is changing. The global economy is volatile […] We cannot solve these problems in silos. We cannot solve them if the public and private sectors are pulling in different directions,” he said.