Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just
Try GOLD - Free
PH kicks off ASEAN-BAC 2026 chairmanship; support for MSMEs, digital economy pushed
Manila Bulletin
|July 12 2025
Business leaders called for stronger support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), digital innovation, and regional sustainability, as the Philippines soft-launched its 2026 chairmanship of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) during a landmark regional retreat in Makati City this week.
-
The first-ever ASEAN-BAC Retreat, held July 7-8, gathered council members from across Southeast Asia, alongside diplomats, government officials, and development partners.
With the theme, “Reimagining ASEAN-BAC,” the Council’s chair for 2026, Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion, said the event was aimed at charting a long-term strategic direction for the council, which serves as the private sector’s voice in ASEAN policymaking.
“We envision an ASEAN where no one is left behind—where digital innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship fuel inclusive growth that uplifts people, empowers communities, and benefits all nations,” he said.
Concepcion emphasized the need to make ASEAN relevant to the daily lives of ordinary citizens, particularly small entrepreneurs, women, youth, and farmers.
This story is from the July 12 2025 edition of Manila Bulletin.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Manila Bulletin
Manila Bulletin
Comelec junks poll protest vs Baricuatro
Another case questioning the victory of Cebu Gov.Pamela Baricuatro in the May elections has been junked.
1 mins
November 28, 2025
Manila Bulletin
MEG’s Westside City lands world’s largest Mövenpick
Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, the hospitality arm of developer Megaworld Corp., has signed an agreement with global hospitality group Accor to convert its 1,530-room Grand Westside Hotel into the Mövenpick Manila Bay Westside, making it the world's largest Mövenpick hotel.
1 mins
November 28, 2025
Manila Bulletin
DepEd lauds private sector support for education budget
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday, Nov.27, welcomed the joint endorsement of major business and education groups for the proposed ? 1. 38-trillion allocation for the education sector in the 2026 national budget, which the agency described as a vote of confidence in its reform direction.
1 mins
November 28, 2025
Manila Bulletin
Whole-of-nation approach needed to end violence vs women - CJ -
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo has urged a whole-of-nation approach to end violence against women (VAW) and called on every Filipino-regardless of gender, age, or background-to actively speak up, take action to prevent violence, support survivors, promote justice, and push for meaningful change.
2 mins
November 28, 2025
Manila Bulletin
BingoPlus adds BTI payments
Online gaming firm DigiPlus Interactive Corp.has expanded secure and convenient wallet-loading options for its players by forming a partnership with BTI Payment Philippines, which owns the Pay&Go self-service payment kiosks across the country.
1 mins
November 28, 2025
Manila Bulletin
Business groups demand mandatory lifestyle checks
'Discrepancies uncovered must trigger immediate probe'
2 mins
November 28, 2025
Manila Bulletin
11 dead in UV Express- truck collision in Albay
Eleven persons were killed in a collision between a truck and a UV Express van in Camalig town, Albay province on Wednesday morning, Nov.26. Nabua town, Camarines Sur province Mayor Fer Simbulan said 11 of the 13 victims were passengers of the van with a Nabua-Legazpi City route and residents of the municipality.
1 mins
November 28, 2025
Manila Bulletin
Del Rosario eyes YOG slot
After making his debut in the Asian Youth Games, promising triathlete Peter Sancho del Rosario is now keenly eyeing a podium finish in the Asia Triathlon Under-15 and Youth Championships scheduled for Dec.5 to 6 in the coastal city of Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaHis excelling in the meet was a priority because it serves as a part of the qualifying process for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, according to his father Rienzi del Rosario.
1 min
November 28, 2025
Manila Bulletin
Gov't hits priva target on mine sale
Recurring payments from the sale of Nonoc Mining and Industrial Corp.'s assets injected more than half a billion pesos into the national coffers, pushing the government's privatization income above P6 billion in the first 10 months of the year.
2 mins
November 28, 2025
Manila Bulletin
Marcos, BSP chief expect economic rebound by 2026
President Marcos expressed confidence that the Philippines is on track for recovery by next year as he met with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona to discuss the latest monetary policy decision and the country's economic trajectory.
1 min
November 28, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size