Employers all over the country are all set to confront the challenge to create an environment that will enable businesses to grow bigger for more jobs and income opportunities and enable the various sectors to prosper.
Such task comes on the heels of the two-day 34th National Conference of Employers (NCE 34) organized by the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) which unfolds today at Marriott Hotel, where CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business leaders gear to draw up strategies that will complement national policies and programs towards ensuring growth and stability.
Highlighting the theme, “Inclusive Growth: Vision, Prescriptions, and Action,” NCE 34 takes into account the platform of President Benigno S. Aquino III – enunciated in the Philippine Development Plan – which calls on every stakeholder to contribute in their own little way towards the goal of inclusive growth. NCE 34 is chaired by Dr. Francis Chua, ECOP Governor, and co-chaired by Ferdie Diaz and Jesus Varela.
“Inclusive growth” has been generally taken to mean economic growth where all sectors of society, including the poor, actively take part in the development process while at the same time enjoying its benefits. Thomas Bender of the European Commission says it is “growth based on a high-employment economy delivering social inclusion and economic, social and territorial cohesion.”
According to ECOP President Edgardo G. Lacson, the recent credit rating upgrades received by the country sends a strong signal to fund managers that the Philippines is now an investment destination of choice. It is our hope that the ensuing surge in foreign direct investments (FDI) will be channeled to the real economy and generate permanent employment as factories and industries are built.
“The bigger challenge is to maintain the momentum of growth where labor and capital will work collectively to nurture decent jobs and foster industrial peace,” Lacson pointed out.
“We are bringing together various stakeholders to address common concerns and issues relative to sustaining and expanding national economic development,” ECOP Chairman Miguel B. Varela emphasized.
The National Conference will be graced by President Benigno S. Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar C. Binay as Guests of Honor and closing speaker and keynote speaker, respectively. The Vice President is expected to lay down the mix of strategies and success ingredients to attain inclusive growth.
Plenary sessions lined up in NCE 34 dwell on Philippines and the World: Economic Perspective; Vision for Investments, Growth, and Employment: Thrusts for Economic Development; and Prescriptions from the CEOs. Panel Discussions, on the other hand, tackle the 2015 ASEAN Integration: Implications to Business and Employment; Employment Drivers: Investment and Entrepreneurship; Social Partnerships: Enhancing Productive and Decenet Employment; and Transcending Challenges: Provident and Housing Program for the Filipino Workforce.
Among other highlights, NCE 34 also features the Kapatiran sa Industriya (KAPATID) Awards, a biennial event of ECOP launched in 1995, which recognizes companies that exemplify good business practices in various areas, Conference Exhibit, and the conferment of the Gawad Lakan ng Kalakalan.

Source: Manila Bulletin - May 23, 2013