The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Iloilo Chapter, Inc. (PCCI Iloilo) officially launched Iloilo Business Month (IBM) 2025 on June 18 at a press conference held at BizBar, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo. The event brought together prominent stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, setting the stage for a dynamic two-month celebration of business leadership, innovation, and inclusive growth across Western Visayas.
Carrying the theme “Empowering Possibilities, Elevating Progress,” IBM 2025 aims to position Iloilo as a premier hub for sustainable business transformation and innovation, with a powerhouse lineup of events happening from July to August 2025.
PCCI Iloilo President Engr. Fulbert C. Woo opened the launch by reaffirming the chamber’s commitment to forging strong partnerships and meaningful collaboration across sectors to drive regional progress.
He was joined by special guests including:
- Ms. Mutya D. Eusores, OIC-ARD of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region VI
- Ms. Maerell Love C. Señalista, RPm, Innovation Management Unit Head of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region VI
Both expressed full support for the chamber’s vision of cultivating an innovation-driven economy in Iloilo and the wider Western Visayas region.
Key Events and Highlights
Program chairs and partners introduced the major events lined up for IBM 2025:
🔹 Western Visayas Business Conference and Expo (July 1–2)
Presented by DTI Region VI, this flagship conference gathers over 300 public and private stakeholders to discuss strategies that will accelerate regional economic growth in line with MSME Month.
🔹 PCCI Iloilo Academy – Empowered to Lead: Thrive at Work, Excel in Life (July 4)
Led by NLP Master Trainer Dr. June Acebedo, this empowerment seminar targets frontliners and mid-level managers to help them develop proactive mindsets and effective leadership in today’s dynamic work environments.
🔹 What’s Up, Western Visayas (July 18)
Chaired by Mr. Pierre Jefferson Go, this regional forum promotes intersectoral dialogue to strengthen collaborative development across the Visayas.
🔹 PCCI Iloilo Businesserye (July 16)
A video storytelling series introduced by Mr. Prince Juliene Hermaine Celo, featuring inspiring Ilonggo entrepreneurs and the community impact of their businesses.
🔹 Innovators Summit (July 31 – August 2)
According to Chair Mr. Gleendo Dasmariñas, this summit will showcase startup innovations, investment opportunities, and technology solutions that support a future-ready economy.
🔹 Coffee Moments: Industry Business Matching (August 9)
Presented with Sun Life, Ms. Jennifer Juan-Tong shared that this unique networking event will offer business matching through engaging formats like round-robin networking and interactive games.
🔹 AI Fest 2025 (August 11–13)
Previewed by Ms. Maerell Señalista, this first-of-its-kind event will feature an AI Hackathon, exhibits, expert-led tech conferences, and the country’s inaugural AI Film Festival.
🔹 Agrinnovate 2.0: Coconut Summit (August 25–29)
Chaired by Mr. Jonathan Cañuto and Mr. Jerduen “Noi” Dongor, this week-long summit centers on boosting the coconut industry through mechanization, cooperative empowerment, and agritech innovations. It includes a forum, product expo, and a special Farmers’ Day celebration.
What began as Iloilo Business Week has now grown into Iloilo Business Month, a testament to the region’s rising stature in enterprise and innovation. This 2025, PCCI Iloilo invites business leaders, startups, government agencies, and community stakeholders to be part of this transformative movement—a convergence of bold ideas, shared goals, and a future powered by progress.
