Leaders from government and the private sector gathered at the Pilipinas Conference 2024 to discuss strategies for ensuring the country’s economic growth in 2025 and beyond. The event, organized by Stratbase Group, featured key Cabinet secretaries, including Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, and Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman participated virtually.
Business leaders such as Ayala Corporation’s Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, ACCIONA CEO Jose Diaz-Caneja, and Meralco PowerGen’s Emmanuel Rubio also joined the discussions on fostering collaboration to address the country’s complex challenges.
Stratbase president Dindo Manhit emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in driving innovation and economic growth. He highlighted the need for the private sector to play a critical role in implementing large-scale projects that will fuel the country’s competitiveness and resilience.
In a session on energy, Lotilla and Loyzaga focused on clean energy transitions, stressing the need for multi-sectoral cooperation. Lotilla mentioned President Marcos’ energy diplomacy efforts, including potential partnerships for sustainable aviation fuel production from local resources like banana waste. Loyzaga outlined the Department of Environment’s work on mineral exploration to support the green transition and create more jobs.
Pangandaman also discussed the New Government Procurement Act, a key anti-corruption measure aimed at improving transparency and streamlining the procurement process to boost investor confidence.
The conference, which also celebrated Stratbase’s 20th anniversary, highlighted the critical role of collaboration in shaping policies for a sustainable and inclusive economy.
