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Brief History of the Chamber

1993

Atty. L­­eonides I. David, Dr. Eduardo Gutierrez-Ong, Mr. Bienvenido Leofando, and Mr. Soc Cahanap, all concerned members of the South Metro Manila Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SMMCCI), met to form the nucleus of the Parañaque City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PqCCI).

2004

Engr. Augusto C. Soliman led the Chamber to greater heights on its tenth year of existence. He enjoined businessmen in Parañaque City to strive for excellence, which will lead the business community to exciting new directions towards achieving global competitiveness in the areas of directions towards achieving global competitiveness in the areas of technology, human resource, and organizational structure. The Chamber assumed a more pro-active stance in poverty alleviation through the implementation of the Kasanayan sa Kabuhayan Tungo sa Kaunlaran Program to support the Gawad Kalinga (GK) initiatives of Couples for Christ in Parañaque City. PqCCI collaborated with the local government on the passage of key legislation, notable of which were (1) the ordinance creating the Parañaque Business Registry Databank and (2) the enabling ordinance needed to implement the Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE) Law. The Chamber was given a Special Citation by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) for implementing vigorous and pro-active initiatives for micro, small and medium enterprise development, in partnership with the local government and other stakeholders. 

1994

PqCCI was formally registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on January 27, 1994 under SEC Registration No. A000319.

 

Atty. Leonides I. David was elected Founding President of the fledgling organization. Under his stewardship, the Chamber organized the 1st Parañaque Business Forum and Exhibition held from August 25 to 26, 1994 at the Philippine Village Hotel, was substantive, comprehensive, and tailor-made for the business community in Parañaque. It gave Parañaque-based companies an opportunity to showcase their quality products and services. The conference cum exhibit enabled PqCCI to show its true worth in the Chamber movement as it became the first local chamber in the National Capital Region (NCR) to mount such an affair in its first year of existence. 

2005

Ms. Carmen C. Flores (†) led the Chamber in pursuing its vision of being the veritable voice of the business community in Parañaque City more vigorously. PqCCI had programs and projects that addressed key issues such as business excellence and good corporate citizenship, micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) development, environmental protection, population management, poverty alleviation and industrial peace and harmony. For its leadership, dynamism, and delivery of service, PqCCI was once again named “Most Outstanding Chamber for the National Capital Region in 2005” by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI). This was the 3rd award received by the Chamber, having been consecutively named as the Most Outstanding Chamber in the National Capital Region in 1999 and 2000. 

1995

The 2nd Parañaque Business Forum and Exhibition was held on October 26 to 27, 1995 at the Manila Garden Hotel during the tenure of Mr. Florencio Jurado as PqCCI President. Again, the conference provided Parañaque businessmen and entrepreneurs the opportunity to assess the current business climate and address the various issues and concerns that would enable the then municipality of Parañaque to realize its vision of full economic, commercial and industrial development. 

2006

Mr. Ernesto R. Evasco (†) took over the chamber leadership in 2006. Realizing the need to re-examine where the chamber stood relative to its avowed organizational directions, he adopted the theme “Back to Basics” as the battle cry for his term which was unceremoniously cut off by his untimely demise in July, 2006. During his aborted stint, he pursued the major programs of the previous leadership particularly on environmental protection while focusing on membership development and retention, and streamlining of membership services.

 

Mr. Alexander L. Flores (†) took over the presidency from August to December, 2006. Despite an even shorter term, Mr. Flores presided over the revival of the Parañaque Business Conference in partnership with the city government headed by Mayor Florencio M. Bernabe, Jr. As fate would have it, PqCCI was adjudged “Most Outstanding Chamber in the National Capital Region” for the 4th time. He represented the NCR in the Confederation of Asian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) Regional Awards in Taipei, Taiwan where it was declared a finalist in the Small Chamber Category.

1996

Mr. Rodrigo Campos assumed the presidency in 1996. At that time, pursuant to Republic Act No. 6977, also known as the “Magna Carta for Small Enterprises," Mayor Joey P. Marquez issued Executive Order No. 96-20 in September 5, 1996 creating the Parañaque Small and Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) Council. On November 7, 1996, the Chamber conducted the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Conference-Workshop in line with its thrust to promote, develop and assist small and medium enterprises in the locality. The conference - workshop provided the environment and the opportunities propitious to the growth of the SME sector in Parañaque. 

2007

Continuing the feat, Mr. Pedro C. Dumana, Jr. reaped for PqCCI its third consecutive Most Outstanding Chamber Award in 2007, a product of his extraordinary talent to motivate his fellow directors to cheerfully carry out their tasks. In his term, the chamber embarked on various civic and business projects: Medical Missions, Candidates Forum and "Go Out and Vote" motorcades, training and seminars, quarterly Businessmen’s Kapihan, the Parañaque Business Conference and the Salambao Awards for Business Excellence which he innovatively spearheaded from 2003 to 2007. PqCCI was again a finalist in the Small Chambers category of the Confederation of Asian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) Regional Awards held in Manila last October 2008. 

1997

PqCCI hosted the Area Business Conference (ABC) in July 1997 during the administration of Ms. Julie Oconer-Lim (†) as PqCCI President. The conference, which was held at the Westin Philippine Plaza, had the theme “Empowering Metro Manila Business for Globalization." This event brought forth the fact that Metro Manila was at the forefront of the entry of the Philippines into the new millennium.

2008

Mr. Alexander L. Flores (†) took the presidency from 2008 to 2013. In the year 2010, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) ordered that all the Chambers should attached “PCCI” to their name. June 02, 2010, Parañaque Chamber of Commerce and Industry was amended and become Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Parañaque City, Inc. or PCCI Parañaque. Because of this, the term of office of each Board was extended.


During those years, Mr. Alex Flores and his Board continued the various activities of the Chamber including the yearly Parañaque Business Conference and quarterly general membership meetings. He also conducted CSR Projects tied-up with other private organizations such as Medical Missions with Toyota and Donation Drive to Typhoons Victims with PMA. He also continued recognizing the best businessmen in Parañaque as he gave out another “Salambao Awards for Excellence in Business Endeavor”. During his term, PCCI Parañaque was adjudged “Most Outstanding Chamber in the National Capital Region” for the 6th and 7th time. He also represented the NCR in the Confederation of Asian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) Regional Awards in Kathmandu, Nepal where the Chamber was declared as finalist in the Large Chamber Category. 

1998

During the second term of Atty. Leonides David as PqCCI President, the Chamber participated actively in the information campaign as an expression of the full support to the campaign for the cityhood of Parañaque. In the final hearing of the committee of the House of Representatives which was held at the Elorde Stadium, PqCCI sent representatives who spoke on the potential for growth and expansion of commerce and industry through increased business investment and income, and through the generation of more employment. PqCCI argued that the conversion to cityhood would result in an increase in business income and government revenues.

2014

Mr. Ricardo Rolando B. Suarez took over the leadership in 2014. During his short term as President, he pursued the 8th Parañaque Business Conference and quarterly General Membership Meeting. He also supported the 16th Parañaque Cityhood Anniversary and the Coastal Clean-Up Day of Freedom Island in Parañaque City. This clean-up drive was in collaboration with the Department of Environment and National.

 

He resigned as President and Ms. Geraldine G. Bernardo took over the position from September to December that year. 

1999

The biggest challenge that confronted the business community and the government at the time was how to get the Philippine economy out of the Asean financial crisis and push it towards recovery. PqCCI, under the leadership of Mr. Romeo V. Cruz as President, responded to the challenge by focusing its full attention to harnessing the potentials and capabilities of its members towards achieving the goal of fostering camaraderie, and strengthening unity and cooperation among them. In line with this, the Chamber embarked on a 10-point program which included:

These activities did not go unnoticed as PqCCI was adjudged “Most Outstanding Chamber in the National Capital Region in 1999”. 

2015

Continuing her presidency, Ms. Geraldine G. Bernardo signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for its Business Resource Center Project, a center that will serve as a support system to nurture and facilitate the growth of the microenterprise and SMEs operating within the city.

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In line with this, the Chamber in collaboration with DTI held seminars for SMEs and process Business Name Registration, the principal front-line service of DTI

2000

Atty. Gregorio M. Batiller, Jr., PqCCI President for 2000, continued and expanded the programs started in 1999. Under his leadership, PqCCI gave out the first “Salambao Awards for Excellence in Business Endeavor." The Chamber also implemented other meaningful projects, among them several job fairs, which benefited the business community in the City of Parañaque. It was also during his administration that plans to set up the chamber offices at Parañaque City Hall saw fruition. Again, PqCCI was adjudged “Most Outstanding Chamber in the National Capital Region" in 2000.

2016

The Chamber, under the presidency of Ms. Lolita S. Duria, became the cooperator of the Negosyo Center (NC) in Parañaque City. The NC process new and renewal of Business Name Registration, receive and release Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE) Certification, hold different seminars for MSMEs and help facilitate the Kapatid Mentor Micro Entrepreneurs (KMME) Project which is a series of seminars for selected mentees.

 

Other than the activities tied-up with DTI, she continued holding seminars in cooperation with private organizations, quarterly General Membership Meetings and Mid-Year Business Conference. She also supported the different activities and projects of the Local Government and even held a Local Candidates Forum to help our constituents in choosing the right candidate for the local election.

 

During her term, PCCI Parañaque was accredited as a Non-Government Organization Representative for the Sanggunian Panlungsod ng Parañaque. The Chamber was given three committees: Disaster Risk, Solid Waste Management and Peace and Order. She also supported the PCCI activities, local and international, by attending the different trade missions, trade fairs, seminars and conferences.

 

Her efforts did not go unnoticed as PCCI Parañaque was adjudged “Most Outstanding Chamber in the National Capital Region in 2016 and 2017”.

2001

Additional activities were implemented during the term of Dr. Eduardo Gutierrez-Ong, President, for the year 2001. The first-ever “Kapihan sa Parañaque Chamber” was held. Joint General Membership Meetings among the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Muntinlupa were initiated under his watch. A sisterhood agreement between PqCCI and the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry was signed in November during the Philippine Business Conference.

2018

Mr. Nelson M. Mendoza took over the leadership in 2018. During his term, he continued representing the Chamber to the three committees given by the Sanggunian Panlungsod. He also continued holding seminars in partnership with DTI, general membership meetings and the annual Parañaque Business Conference. He revived the Chamber's newsletter and renamed it as PCCI Parañaque Newsletter.

 

Under his leadership, the Chamber started the Scholarship Program and its initial beneficiaries are the students from Arandia College. To finance the said project, he revived the annual golf tournament of the Chamber.

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He was adjudged “Most Outstanding Chamber in the National Capital Region in 2018" 

2002

Under the leadership of Mr. Angelito E. Colona (†), PqCCI President in 2002, the Chamber stood ready to meet the challenges it faced. A Business Assistance Program was put in place to assist Parañaque Businessmen, in general, and PqCCI members, in particular, on matters affecting the viability of their operations. PqCCI also paved the way for the revitalized Parañaque Small and Medium Development Council (SMEDC). It forged a partnership with the Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation (TMPF), the Automotive Association of the Philippines (AAP), and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for the establishment of a world-class driving academy in Parañaque. The Chamber was also named as one of the partners of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Committee on Quality, Productivity, and Global Competitiveness in the implementation of projects on quality and productivity that will help small and medium enterprises in the city.

2020

Before the first quarter of 2020 end, the whole world was hit by COVID-19. This on-going pandemic has been difficult, but because of the leadership of Mr. Rene Vincent C. Torralba, Jr., the Chamber has kept up with the “New Normal”.

 

The Chamber held an online webinar in partnership with DTI and Google MSME regarding different ways to help MSMEs putting their business online. He broadens the use of social media and held an E-Kapihan Session with Mayor Edwin Olivarez and Parañaque BPLO head, Atty. Melanie Malaya who discussed about the LGU’s measures to help the business community in Parañaque. It was broadcasted live through Facebook and YouTube. The Chamber also held its 10th PCCI Parañaque Business Conference and general membership meetings online.

 

During the peak of the pandemic, the Chamber donated PPEs, masks and gloves to the City Health Office of Parañaque. 

2003

Engr. Serafin M. Pantaleon introduced a new program of governance during his term as President of PqCCI. Authority was devolved to the vice-presidents who were then empowered to strategize, conceptualize and put into concrete action their strategic and tactical objectives to achieve the goals of the Chamber of PqCCI. This resulted in the chamber becoming more pro-active and less bureaucratic. In addition to continuing the programs that were started in the past, PqCCI conducted an intensive campaign to improve the number and quality of its membership base. The Chamber collaborated with Rep. Eduardo C. Zialcita on the publication of the Par One Hundred, a coffee table book that served as a useful reference for those interested in doing business in Parañaque. PqCCI supported the government’s drive on the development of small and medium enterprises. It worked closely with the local government on the implementation of the Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE) Law in Parañaque City. PqCCI played an instrumental role in the non-passage of a draft city ordinance that could have imposed an environmental and ecological fee on all real estate properties within the city. PqCCI also initiated the creation of a core group of human resource decision-makers that would regularly meet to discuss common.