PH Consulate General in Los Angeles Participates in Asia CEO Clark Virtual Forum
(Photos by Joss Leaño)
LOS ANGELES 23 July 2020 – Joining the excitement around Clark as “Asia’s next investment, lifestyle and outdoor destination,” the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, through its official Facebook page, hosted an FB watch party for the livestream of “Asia CEO – Clark” Forum held on 15 July 2020.
Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) CEO and President Vivencio “Vince” B. Dizon, who is also the Deputy Chief Implementer of the Philippine Government’s response against COVID-19, highlighted the gradual reopening of the Philippine economy while the government ensures the health and safety of Filipinos. He appealed to his fellow citizens to observe the basic protocol in curbing the spread of the coronavirus.
“As we move into this stage, everyone needs to pitch in, including the local government units, companies, individuals, in dealing with this pandemic. We are trying to empower all the sectors to complement the national government’s efforts,” he stressed.
Alongside the reopening of the Philippine economy is the continued rise of the newest metropolis in the country being built by the BCDA. New Clark City, the next growth center and investment destination in the Philippines is located just north of Metro Manila in the country’s main and most developed island of Luzon. It was formerly home to the American’s Fort Stotsenberg.
BCDA President Dizon happily shared the information that “roughly 80,000 employees in Clark City, which is equivalent to 65% of the City’s workforce across various sectors, are already back to work.” The City is also slated to open Clark International Airport soon to “become the new gateway to the country, thereby facilitating tourism, trade and investment.”
Other speakers in the forum were business leaders from different sectors, namely, PDP Architects Managing Director Cathy Saldana, Multisys CEO David Almirol, Luzon PLDT Enterprise Industry Head Dennis Magbatoc, Find HR President Monica Maralit, Airspeed international Chairman and President Rosemarie Rafael, and Colliers International Philippines Senior Research Manager Joey Bondoc. The speakers shared the modifications in their operations to adapt to the “new normal” as well as the projects of their respective companies in support of the Philippine government’s efforts to thrive amidst COVID-19.
Senator Pia Cayetano, who is the Senate Committee Chair for Sustainable Development Goals, Innovation and Futures Thinking, closed the Forum with emphasis on the need for a “futures thinking” (FT) mindset amidst the current “volatile uncertain complex and ambiguous” world. “FT is an avenue for different sectors to explore many ‘possible futures’ using strategic foresight…to prepare for all possibilities and identify unforeseen opportunities,” Senator Cayetano said.
Asia CEO Forum is an online platform organized by Filipino and international business executives with the goal to promote the activities of local and multinational organizations and the public sector.
Joining over 300 online participants from different parts of the globe were Consul Rea G. Oreta and Information Officer Mary Grace “Joss” Leaño, representing the Consulate General. END
Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) CEO and President Vivencio “Vince” B. Dizon
Senator Pia Cayetano, the Senate Committee Chair for Sustainable Development Goals, Innovation and Futures Thinking, closes the Forum.
For more information, visit https://www.philippineconsulatela.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinLA/.