100 Years of Chamber Movement in the Philippines

100 Years of Chamber Movement in the Philippines:Its Role in National-Building
Featured Editorial of Philippine Panorama dated July 27, 2003
It was at the upper floor of the Botica de San Gabriel in Plaza Cervantes, Escolta, that the first Filipino Chamber Movement was born. The date was July 19, 1903. And the movement was called the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (CCP).The chamber actually traces its beginnings to the Camara de Comercio de Filipinas instituted by a Royal Decree of Queen Regent Maria Cristina of Spain on April 19, 1886. The remaining members of the Camara were also the founding members of the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (CCP).
From that illustrious group of 55 businessmen which included the who's who in Philippine business at that time, the chamber grew to over 1,000 members and became the vanguard of Philippine commerce and trade.
Sometime in the 1930s, CCP spearheaded the "Filipino First" movement that gave birth to the National Economic Protectionism Association or NEPA, giving the Filipinos a major role in the country's import and export trade. Several laws were also passed in Congress to empower Filipinos in the different areas of business. Among these were the law "Filipinizing" retail trade, restriction of rice and corn trade to nationals, and the Flag Law which gave Philippine-made products priority in government purchases.The onset of Philippine independence and the rise of industries in the 1950s created the need for several industry groups to form their own business organization to address their specific concerns. Thus, the Philippine Chamber of Industry (PCI) was born.Realizing the role of regional cooperation in trade, the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines led the organization of the Confederation of Asian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) in the mid-60s. The CAACI gave birth to the ASEAN Chamber of Commerce and Industry and remains an active member of the ASEAN Chamber to this day.
As the Chamber marched to the 1970s, it crystallized its role as champion of small and medium enterprises with the establishment of the Small Business Development Foundation in 1973. The SME Foundation was able to boost SME development by providing technical and management know-how as well as financial assistance to needy enterprises.
To further support trade expansion, the chamber pushed for the establishment of the Philippine Center for Trade and the Philippine International Trade Fairs. It was also instrumental in the formation of the Export Credit Insurance Corp.The chamber also helped strengthen the shipping industry, a vital component of trade, with the formation of the Philippine Shippers Council.During his term, President Ferdinand Marcos decreed the unification of the different business chambers in the country. Thus, in 1978, the CCP was merged with the PCI to create the Philippine Chamber of Commerce of Industry (PCCI), which, by virtue of Letter of Instruction No. 780, was to be recognized as the "sole official representative and voice of the entire private business community."In order to preserve its vital role in history and continue to be relevant to the needs of Philippine trade and business, the CCP was transformed into a non-profit and non-stock foundation known as the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (CCPF).
In celebrating its 100th year anniversary, the CCPF has several activities lined up to commemorate it. One of their main activities is the establishment of the CCPF Centennial Awards Program. Two awards are actually being established, namely: 1) The Centennial Enterprise of the Republic Awards (CERA), and 2) the Centennial Chamber Founders of the Republic Award (CCFA).
As CCPF mark its hundreth year, it is both a reward and a reminder that more challenges lie in the years ahead. And its actions today, by honoring and remembering the members and achievement of the past, must serve as inspiration for the generations to come.True to its commitment, the CCPF has continued to be an advocate of Philippine commerce and trade by taking a stand on issues that affect Philippine business.CCPF may be remembered as among the first groups to take a stand on the proposed Charter Change last year by organizing various forums on constitutional reforms in universities for purposes of education and information dissemination.
The CCPF also encouraged the integration of commerce and trade skills in the curriculum of the Philippine educational system. Aiming to fulfill the role of enhancing the business educational system, CCPF hopes to make use of its own building in Intramuros, Manila as a training center and information base by making use of the facility for IT and skills training for graduating students.
Recognizing the vital role of SMEs in the Philippines, who are the majority of enterprises and major source of employment of Filipinos, the CCPF will continue supporting this sector by providing assistance where it is needed.





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