TARLAC CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) emphasized resilience and sustainability as critical drivers of North Luzon’s continued growth, as the business sector faces uncertainties brought about by global situations including geopolitical tensions and rising energy costs.
During the 35th North Luzon Area Business Conference (NLABC), PCCI called on enterprises and stakeholders to adopt proactive strategies that will strengthen the area’s capacity to withstand economic shocks while sustaining long-term development.
Hosted by PCCI Tarlac, the conference gathered about 400 stakeholders, business leaders, financial institutions, and government agencies from Regions I, II, III, and the Cordillera Administrative Region to discuss measures that can help businesses remain competitive and future-ready amid evolving global conditions.
Among the key strategies highlighted were diversifying supply chains, strengthening the OFW financial ecosystem, energy cost mitigation, digital trade and e-commerce, access emergency credit lines, and business continuity planning.
On his discussion, PCCI President Ferdinand Ferrer stressed that while Filipinos have long demonstrated resilience in the face of uncertainties, sustaining growth requires deliberate and coordinated action.
“We are not fragile. We Filipinos are adaptive, but resilience is not accidental; it requires deliberate action from each one of us, which brings us to the North Luzon businesses and what we must do right now,” he expressed.
Ferrer also urged stakeholders of Northern Luzon to efficiently use resources, funds, and energy for long-term actions amid the global crisis.
“Stop depending on a single source. We should be wise now about our funds and where they will bring us in the future because it is still a difficult road in 2026, and we need to cut energy costs, create solar cooperatives, and establish solar hedging agreements,” he stated.
As part of efforts to strengthen the business chamber in North Luzon, the conference features key sessions on food and energy security, harnessing investment opportunities, and advancing good governance for competitive and resilient enterprises, promoting inclusive growth across the region.
PCCI North Luzon Area Vice President Maria Amalia Tiglao-Cayanan underscored the importance of collaboration in building resilient and sustainable economies.
“North Luzon is not acting alone but is part of a larger national and global ecosystem that demands collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibility, a vision that calls us to move with urgency, act with unity, and lead with courage as we shape a more resilient and inclusive future,” she said.
Cayanan added that with these responsibilities comes a strategic gateway for domestic and global markets as well as a workforce capable of innovation and transformation through sustainability and growth.
Other than collaborative discussions, a series of activities such as regional trade fair and exhibit tour, strengthening the chamber ecosystem, financing, and advocacy services for Local Chamber of Commerce and Industry form a cornerstone for North Luzon businesses to build more competitive, resilient, and future-ready enterprises in the face of global uncertainties and evolving market conditions.
The initiative supports the agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to transform key production sectors to accelerate economic growth and build a more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready Philippine economy. (CLJD/CJGS, PIA Region 3-Tarlac GIP)
