PCCI Urges Unified Digital Roadmap at Business Summit

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) is placing digital transformation at the center of national business discourse as it leads preparations for the 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC&E).

The annual event, set for Oct. 20 to 21 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, will gather over 2,000 delegates and feature innovations shaping the digital future of commerce.

This year’s theme, “The Future is Now: Unleash the Power of Digital Transformation,” underscores what PCCI President Enunina V. Mangio described as the urgent need to integrate technology across industries.

“It’s time to act boldly and strategically to harness the full potential of digital technology and innovation,” Mangio said.

She warned that failure to adapt would leave businesses behind as global competition intensifies and capital shifts toward tech-driven markets.

“If we want to compete for investments and capital, our local enterprises need to remain competitive on the global stage, and for our workers and youth to thrive in an evolving technological landscape, we must embrace digital transformation,” she said.

The PCCI is calling on government to work hand in hand with private industry to develop a national digital roadmap and align on infrastructure goals.

Mangio said a clear, unified plan would help accelerate digital access, reduce regional disparities, and open new growth opportunities for local businesses, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

PCCI’s push for innovation is being championed by Converge ICT Solutions Inc. CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony H. Uy, who also chairs PCCI’s Information Technology and Telco Committee.

Uy will lead this year’s conference with a strong message about inclusion and connectivity in the digital era.

“Digital transformation is the key to unlocking our nation’s full potential and ensuring no one is left behind in this rapidly evolving digital world,” Uy said.

Uy envisions a Philippines where technology empowers every community and business — from bustling urban centers to remote rural areas.

In the months leading up to the conference, PCCI and Converge, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), have launched a nationwide hackathon series aimed at supporting MSMEs.

The initiative spans North Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and the National Capital Region and seeks practical, scalable digital solutions to real-world business problems.

The PCCI emphasized that these hackathons are more than competitions — they are platforms for youth and innovators to develop tools that directly impact Philippine enterprises.

A tech expo at the two-day conference will showcase emerging technologies such as AI-driven automation, cloud-based services, and smart infrastructure designed to boost operational efficiency and resilience.

Uy said local and international companies would be on hand to demonstrate how digital solutions can be tailored to businesses of all sizes.

“This conference is more than just a discussion — it’s a launchpad for ideas, partnerships, and innovations that can bring every Filipino business into the digital age,” Uy said.

Attendees will have the opportunity to network with business leaders, policymakers, and global experts to explore trends, policy shifts, and investment strategies centered around digital modernization.

Now in its 51st year, the Philippine Business Conference and Expo remains the flagship event of the PCCI, bringing together diverse sectors for shared economic development.

The conference is expected to tackle barriers to digital adoption, including internet accessibility, workforce readiness, cybersecurity, and data governance.

PCCI has long advocated for policies that support a more digitally capable and competitive business environment, particularly as the Philippines aims to strengthen its regional standing in Southeast Asia.

The Department of Trade and Industry’s Philippine E-Commerce Roadmap 2022 foresees digital transactions contributing 50% of retail sales by 2026, with MSMEs playing a critical role in that growth.

However, many MSMEs still lack access to digital tools or sufficient infrastructure, challenges the PCCI hopes to address through its multi-stakeholder engagements.

PCCI’s broader mission includes fostering global competitiveness, and digital transformation is now a central pillar in that strategy.

“The digital future is no longer optional — it is essential for survival and long-term growth,” Mangio said.

She called on stakeholders across government, industry, and education to coordinate efforts and invest in the digital capacity of Filipino workers and enterprises.

As the private sector’s leading voice, the PCCI believes that technology, if strategically harnessed, can create inclusive prosperity, promote innovation, and elevate the Philippine economy on the world stage.