The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), under newly installed president Donald Lim, is repositioning itself as a more outward-looking, action-oriented organization—one that aims to play a deeper role in nation-building while asserting a stronger private sector voice in ASEAN that ultimately benefits Filipinos.
In his inaugural address on January 19, Lim framed the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship in 2026 as a defining moment not just for government, but for business leaders as well.
“The ASEAN chairship of the Philippines in 2026 is not only a diplomatic milestone; it is a leadership test for us in the private sector,” Lim said, urging MAP members to step up and help shape the regional agenda.
Lim said this ambition requires a shift from inward-looking, member-centric programs toward initiatives with measurable national impact. Success, he stressed, should be judged not by the number of forums held or members enrolled, but by tangible improvements in the lives of Filipinos who may never attend a MAP event.
As part of its ASEAN push, Lim said MAP intends to provide substantive input on trade facilitation, sustainability, and digital integration. By strengthening cross-border dialogues, business missions, and partnerships, MAP aims to position itself as a key private sector convenor in the region—expanding opportunities for members while enhancing the country’s economic relevance.
At home, Lim underscored MAP’s role in policy discourse grounded in evidence and practical insight. The organization, he said, will contribute to national debates “with research, with data, and with the practical wisdom of professionals who understand how policy translates into practice,” engaging government not as lobbyists seeking favors but as partners offering solutions.
On the ASEAN stage, Lim emphasized the need for Philippine business perspectives to be actively represented. “The Philippines will not be a passive participant in regional integration, but a co-architect of it,” he said.
MAP’s theme for the year, “Leadership in Action, Lifting the Nation,” underscores its call for values-driven leadership anchored on integrity, inclusion, and sustainability—aimed at building institutions and programs with impact that endures beyond any single term.
