New PCCI chief aims to make PH a trade hub
EMS Group of Companies chair and CEO Ferdinand “Perry” Ferrer has been elected the next president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), setting an agenda centered on governance reforms, investment competitiveness and workforce upskilling.
Ferrer said these priorities aim to position the Philippines as a trade and investment hub.
“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,” he said.
“These pillars are inseparable—good governance builds trust, trade and investments create opportunities, and skills empower our people to seize those opportunities,” he added.
Ferrer, who will serve a two-year term, also plans to build on the investment pledges secured by outgoing PCCI president Enunina Mangio during missions to Korea, Taiwan, Japan, the United States, India, Germany and Qatar.
Mangio’s final mission to Qatar in November generated as much as $2 billion in pledges covering hotel, resort, railway and renewable energy projects.
Electronics tycoon
Ferrer currently serves as PCCI’s executive vice president and has held roles as vice president for industry and officer in charge of the chamber’s Science and Technology and Innovation Committee.
He has led the EMS Group of Companies, one of the country’s largest electronic companies, since 2018, overseeing operations in contract manufacturing, engineering and electronics, assembly services and skills development.
Outside PCCI, Ferrer is also a governor of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, vice chair and trustee for the electronics of the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. and cochair of the board of trustees of the Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee, Inc.
Ferrer had also served as chair of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc., the largest organization of local and foreign electronics firms operating in the country.
“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,” the PCCI said in a statement.
Mangio said the PCCI board has also elected Raymond Jude Aguilar as its next chair, succeeding George Barcelon. Aguilar is currently the chamber’s vice president for international affairs.
He is the founder and director of Electronic Commerce Payments Inc., one of the country’s largest electronic payment service providers, and serves as president of Recycle Plus Inc.
Other members and officers of the board will be appointed by Ferrer at the chamber’s first board meeting of the year on Jan. 20.
As the Philippines’ largest business organization, the PCCI represents over 30,000 members across private firms and local chambers and regularly conducts overseas missions to promote investment in the country.
