Baguio City’s economic leaders, stakeholders, and policymakers gathered at the Forbes Ballroom of the Baguio Country Club on Feb. 4, 2025 for the highly anticipated Economic Summit.
Organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Baguio-Benguet Chapter and the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) Baguio-Benguet Chapter, the event served as a vital platform for discussing the region’s economic challenges and opportunities, particularly within the context of the Metro Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay (BLISTT) development framework.
With a packed ballroom of entrepreneurs, business owners, government officials, academics, NGOs, and media representatives, the summit emphasized the need for a collective push toward sustainable economic growth.
PCCI Baguio-Benguet President Engr. Mark Joseph Lacambra and PMAP Baguio-Benguet representative and trustee Ric Bayao talked about the importance of fostering strong collaboration between the private and public sectors to drive regional economic progress.
One of the most thought-provoking discussions came from renowned economist Dr. Bernardo Villegas, who explored the role of Metro BLISTT in advancing the economic objectives of the current administration.
Other key presentations included the talk on unlocking business opportunities within Metro BLISTT (originally assigned to National Economic and Development Authority Cordillera Regional Director Dr. Susan Sumbeling) delivered by Dr. Monica Costales, the newly appointed Metro BLISTT Development Authority Administrator; and Saint Louis University’s Dr. Felina Espique’s discussion on the academe’s role in shaping and upskilling the current and future workforce. These sessions provided valuable insights on workforce development, investment attraction, and infrastructure planning, all crucial to Metro BLISTT’s long-term economic viability.
Baguio Representative Mark Go, represented by his daughter Charis Go, also contributed to the discussion, zeroing in on the role of the Metro BLISTT Development Authority, with a focus on its current status, achievements, and challenges.
A highlight of the summit was the roundtable discussion and workshop, where participants were grouped by sector to identify key challenges and propose solutions. This interactive approach allowed for a more in-depth exchange of ideas, so the concerns of various industries were addressed.
Also in attendance were NEDA CAR OIC Regional Director Apollo Edwin Pagano, and special guests Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas.
Ultimately, the Economic Summit 2025 is a call to action.
The success of Metro BLISTT’s economic transformation will depend on the active participation of all stakeholders, continuous collaboration between the public and private sectors, and a commitment to long-term, sustainable development.
