Electronic firm head Perry Ferrer will now lead the most prominent trade organization, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, starting 2026, vowing to translate advocacy gains into concrete trade, investment and jobs for Filipinos.

Ferrer, who heads Gruppo EMS, one of the country’s largest electronic companies, emphasized the need to build on this foundation.

He outlined a unified strategy for governance, investment, market access, and workforce development.

“Our direction is anchored on three priorities that must move together: strengthening governance so PCCI is more agile and service-driven; positioning the Philippines as a competitive investment and trade hub; and ensuring our workforce is future-ready through nationwide upskilling. These pillars are inseparable — good governance builds trust, trade and investments create opportunities, and skills empower our people to seize those opportunities,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

Meanwhile, outgoing PCCI president Enunina V. Mangio’s term delivered strengthened advocacy, deeper regional engagement, expanded international partnerships, and enhanced institutional capacity.

Reflecting on the year, she said: “Our achievements were guided by three commitments — strong and relevant advocacy for enterprises; empowering our regional chambers as the backbone of PCCI; and strengthening institutional capacity through better programs, partnerships, and visibility. These priorities made PCCI more unified, responsive, and future-ready.”

Regional investment deals

Under Mangio’s leadership, PCCI also translated its advocacy efforts into tangible economic outcomes, securing substantial investment interests from countries such as Korea, Taiwan, Japan, the United States, India and Germany.

Most recently, her business mission to Qatar generated an investment commitment of $2 billion for infrastructure and energy — one of the largest pledges secured under her term.

The PCCI further said that the leadership transition represents a shift from strengthening advocacy and institutional capacity to concretizing achievements into expanded markets and investments, and more jobs for Filipinos.

The chamber expressed confidence that the momentum established under Mangio’s leadership will be amplified under Ferrer as PCCI intensifies its competitiveness and growth agenda.