Tobias is new PCCI VP for South Luzon

MANILA --- Clarine Palomares-Tobias of the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) was elected through an overwhelming vote by her peers as the newest Vice President for South Luzon of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Tobias is PCCI’s regional governor for Bicol and will serve as such until the end of the year when she assumes her new role in January 2020 whose ascendancy covers the local business chambers of Bicol, Region 4A and Region 4B (Calabarzon and MIMAROPA, respectively). She bested her rival from Taguig City by more than two-thirds of all the votes cast during the election of new officers on the second day of the 45th Philippine Business Conference held at the Manila Hotel here.

To take over Clarine’s old post is Mergie Moraleda, president of PCCI Camarines Norte, who was elected unopposed as PCCI Bicol regional governor for Bicol.

Over a thousand local and foreign businessmen and the Philippines’ top policymakers including Vice President Leni Robredo and President Rodrigo Duterte gathered at the historic Fiesta Hall of the Manila Hotel, venue of the 45th Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC&E) held last October 16 and 17 at the Manila Hotel.

Organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), this year’s PBC&E looked into the dynamics of a digitally driven economy and how it impacts on people’s growth and business sustainability with the central theme “Enabling Business in a Digital Economy.”

Over the last four decades, PBC&E has served as a platform for PCCI members and partners both in the private and government sector to converge, dialogue and come up with policy recommendations to better improve the business environment in the country.

“Business is going digital and it’s inevitable. That is why we are having this discussion and we invited renowned local and international experts in the field of digital economy and technology innovation to share their thoughts, experiences and tips on how business can survive and thrive in a dynamically changing environment,” PCCI President Ma. Alegria Limjoco said.

CLARINE

Clarine was president of the MNCCI for one year (2013) before she became the regional governor for Bicol. She joins the three other prominent Bicolanos that so far became VP for South Luzon, namely: Tony Concepcion of the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lito Tuanqui of Albay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Jeremy Lo of Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

During Clarine’s term as MNCCI president, the chamber became a finalist in the search for outstanding local chamber in the world during the international business conference held in Dubai that year.