FFCCCII 32ND BIENNIAL CONVENTION SUPPLEMENT

PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE ADMINISTERS THE OATH OF OFFICE

TO THE NEWLY ELECTED OFFICERS OF THE FEDERATION

OF FILIPINO-CHINESE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, INC.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte admi­nisters the oath of office to the newly elected officers of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) led by President Henry Lim Bon Liong (4th from left). The Federation’s 222 officers composed of its honorary presidents, corporate offi­cers, board directors, executive directors and council directors who represent its nationwide membership network of 170 chambers of commerce and industry associations simultaneously took their oaths before the President at the Heroes Hall of Malacañan Palace on 6 August 2019. During the event, FFCCCII presented to President Duterte its pledged donation of 700 units of two-classroom school buildings for public schools under FFCCCII’s “Ope­ration: Barrio Schools” program in the next two years. Since 1961, FFCCCII has donated more than 5,750 school buildings across the country. This is in connection with the election of new 2019-2021 officers and the recent successful 32nd Biennial Convention of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) held on March 21 to 23, 2019 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). For more than 64 years of its existence, FFCCCII has been leading its over 170 member-chambers on the path of entrepreneurship innovation, inclusive direction and socio-civic phi­lanthropic causes to meet the demands of the market and to bring new heights the contribution of the Filipino Chinese business community in the country’s economic development.

 

RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE

President of the Philippines

My warmest greetings to the Federation of ­Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and ­Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) as it holds its 32nd ­Biennial Convention.

The harmonious and dynamic relationship of the ­Filipino and Chinese communities in our ­country ­attests to the centuries-long legacy of ­cooperation to foster a united, economically developed and ­empowered ­society. I commend the FFCCCII for ­actively ­participating in the work of nation-­building by leading various programs and initiatives that ­support and strengthen our local ­industries and civic sectors.

May this gathering reaffirm your commitment ­towards the realization of our dream of ­prosperity and happiness in this nation we call home. Guided by the values of excellence and integrity, may you ­become ­productive members of your organization as we ­continue working towards a more prosperous and ­inclusive ­nation for all.

I wish you a successful assembly.

 

LENI ROBREDO

Vice-President of the Philippines

My warmest greetings to the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and ­Industry Inc. as you come together for your 32nd Biennial Convention.

We applaud the hard work and effort you ­continue to make in strengthening Filipino-Chinese relations in the Philippines. Through your initiatives, we are able to ­bolster the economic relations and cultural exchange between our two nations.

May this celebration further encourage you to ­continue in your endeavors directed towards ­bringing together ­communities in the name of unity and progress. We hope that through this activity, you are able to ­inspire solidarity and encourage others to reach out to those in the margins and help uplift the lives of those from the farthest, smallest, and poorest communities.

Congratulations for a successful and memorable ­celebration. Mabuhay kayong lahat!

 

VICENTE C. SOTTO III

Senate President

Congratulations to the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of ­Commerce and Industry, Inc. on its 32nd Biennial Convention.

The Philippines has welcomed many business men of Chinese ­ancestry into our shores. This has led to a relationship that, to this day, benefits both nations. It is our pride that your association has flourished and endured in our country. The welcome has paid off tremendously with the many ­socio-activities that you have conducted over the past decades.

Among these activities are the encouragement for investment, support of local industries, job fairs and many other worthwhile endeavors. For all of these and more, we are grateful to you.

I wish you all more passion and enthusiasm as you pursue your ­objectives.

We are heartened by your contributions to Philippine society and are proud that you are now part of our long history.

Please do continue with your meaningful projects. Your legacy lives on in the many Filipino families whose lives had been touched or uplifted by your genuine desire to give back.

Mabuhay kayong lahat!

HISTORY OF FEDERATION OF FILIPINO CHINESE

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, INC.

The birth of the Federation in March 1954, was inspired by the late President Ramon Magsaysay who, shortly after his election in 1953, met with the leaders of the local Chinese community and appealed to them to organize a more compact association that could render greater support to his government and further strengthen the existing ties of friendship between the Filipinos and the Chinese in the Philippines. Stirred to action by President Magsaysay’s unprecedented appeal, the leaders of the various Chinese chambers of commerce and trade associations throughout the country convened at the Manila Hotel in a historic convention in March 1954 and orga­nized the Federation of Chinese Chambers of Commerce in the Philip­pines. The founding President of the Federation was Mr. Yu Khe Tai. Later, it was renamed Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce to make it more reflective of the citizenship of its actual members, which is that of Filipinos and Chinese alike. Later, it was renamed Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. to mirror the broadening range of participation of its members in the national economy. Men of vision, dedication and integrity from the Chinese-Filipino community have provided the needed leadership and direction for the Federation. Through multifarious acts of charity, compassion, and humanity over the years, the Fede­ration has transformed itself into one of the leading organizations in the country today, very deeply involved not only in the economic but, more importantly, in the civic, social and cultural life of our nation.