The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Iloilo Chapter, Inc. (PCCI Iloilo) officially launched Iloilo Business Month on June 18, 2025, through a press conference held at BizBar, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, gathering key stakeholders from the public and private sectors to unveil a powerhouse lineup of programs aimed at driving inclusive growth and innovation in Western Visayas.
With the theme "Empowering Possibilities, Elevating Progress," Iloilo Business Month 2025 positions Iloilo as a rising hub for business leadership and transformation, featuring events that will run from July to August 2025.
The press conference was graced by Engr. Fulbert C. Woo, President of PCCI Iloilo, who emphasized the chamber's mission to bridge sectors and spark meaningful collaboration. He was joined by special guests including Ms. Mutya D. Eusores, OIC-ARD of DTI Region VI; and Ms. Maerell Love C. Señalista, RPm, Innovation Management Unit Head of DOST Region VI. All expressed unified support in creating a stronger, innovation-driven economic landscape for Iloilo and the wider region.
Program chairs and partners also took the stage to present the highlights and objectives of their respective events:
- Ms. Mutya D. Eusores, OIC-ARD of DTI Region VI, discussed the Western Visayas Business Conference and Expo (July 1-2), a landmark gathering of over 300 public and private stakeholders aimed at accelerating the region's economic development agenda in celebration of MSME Month.
- Dr. June Acebedo, certified NLP Master Trainer, introduced the PCCI Iloilo Academy session titled "Empowered to Lead: Thrive at Work, Excel in Life" (July 4), a 3-hour empowerment seminar designed to help frontliners and mid-level managers build proactive mindsets and lead with clarity, confidence, and commitment in today's fast-paced work environments.
- Mr. Pierre Jefferson Go, Chair of What's Up Western Visayas (July 18), emphasized the importance of regional synergy and multi-sector dialogue in advancing inclusive development across Western Visayas.
- Mr. Gleendo Dasmariñas, Chair of the Innovators Summit (July 31-August 2), shared how the summit will serve as a platform for startup acceleration, investments opportunities, and innovation showcase.
- Mr. Prince Juliene Hermaine Celo, Chair of PCCI Iloilo Businesserye (July 16), introduced the video storytelling series featuring Ilonggo entrepreneurs whose business create meaningful community impact
- Ms. Jennifer Juan-Tong unveiled Coffee Moments: Industry Business Matching (August 9), a curated networking experience co-presented by Sun Life, designed to foster collaboration through interactive business games and round-robin matching
- Ms. Maerell Love C. Señalista, RPm, Innovation Management Unit Head of DOST Region VI, previewed AI Fest 2025 (August 11-13), a multi-day AI-focused event featuring a hackathon, technical conference, exhibits, and the country's first AI Film Festival
- Mr. Jonathan Cañuto and Mr. Jerduen "Noi" Dongor, Co-Chairs of Agrinnovate 2.0 (August 25-29), presented the coconut-centered summit that aims to boost agribusiness through forums, a week-long exhibit, and a Farmers' Day celebration focused on innovation, mechanization, and cooperative support.
Iloilo Business Month 2025 brings together the best of public and private collaboration, inviting business leaders, government partners, startups, and key community players to be part of a vibrant celebration of innovation, opportunity, and shared progress. What was once Iloilo Business Week has now evolved into a full two-month initiative - a testament to the expanding reach and impact of PCCI Iloilo's programs and its growing network of parnters. Organized annually by PCCI Iloilo, this event reflects the Chamber's continued commitment to empowering Ilonggo enterprises and shaping a more dynamic regional economy