Top government officials and key business leaders will gather in Makati City on November 6 and 7 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Stratbase Group, a policy research and business advisory firm.
To mark this monumental event, the Stratbase Group is organizing a two-day “Pilipinas Conference” to discuss strategic initiatives necessary for fostering a robust economy and resilient society through the creation of green and high-quality jobs.
Among those who will speak in the two-day conference are Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, Environment Secretary Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick Go, Trade Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Maharlika Investment Corporation President and CEO Rafael Jose Consing Jr, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr, Australian Ambassador to the Phlilippines Hae Kyong Yu, and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya.
Also expected to attend are top business leaders Ayala Corporation Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, ACCIONA Infrastructure Chief Executive Officer Jose Diaz-Caneja, Meralco PowerGen Corporation President and CEO Emmanuel Rubio, Aboitiz Power Corporation Chief Financial Officer Sandro Aboitiz, Nickel Asia Corporation President and CEO Martin Antonio Zamora, Prime Infrastructure Capital President and CEO Guillaume Lucci, and Aboitiz Infracapital President and CEO Cosette Canilao.
Stratbase Group’s President and Chief Executive Officer Dindo Manhit said the Pilipinas Conference started in 2016 and is now in its ninth year.
He explained the conference aims to strengthen cooperation, develop strategic realignment, and provide a platform for leaders from the government, business sector, diplomatic community, think tanks, and civil society organizations to navigate the geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges facing the Philippines in 2025 and beyond.
“Stratbase is committed to sustain its unique role in facilitating these essential dialogues, ensuring that all sectors of society are represented and engaged in shaping the nation’s future. The path forward must integrate the collective insights of all stakeholders, driven by a shared vision of raising the Philippines’ standing in the global economy and enhancing the quality of life for every Filipino,” Manhit said.
“The 2024 Pilipinas Conference is more than just an event; it is a call to action for all who are invested in the country’s future. Together, we can chart a course that secures the Philippines’ rightful place on the world stage,” he added.
Manhit said as the country approaches its midterm elections in May 2025, geopolitical and geoeconomic developments continue to ripple across the Philippines and other global economies, creating a domino effect that demands urgent and cohesive integration of expertise and resources.
“Stratbase Institute’s comprehensive programs address critical aspects of the Philippines’ role in the Indo-Pacific, focusing on economic integration, national security, good governance, and sustainable development,” Manhit explained.
“Stratbase’s Philippine Strategic Initiativesaim to strengthen economic integration, raise awareness about security issues, promote collaborative governance, and drive sustainable development,” he said.
Manhit noted that the first day of the conference will focus on the confluence of asymmetric security challenges and their impact on the collective security of the Indo-Pacific and adherence to the rules-based international order.
“The Philippines faces risks and opportunities in various areas, including aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea and proliferating cybersecurity threats like disinformation campaigns. In response, the Marcos Jr. administration has employed minilateral and multilateral approaches to strengthen and expand cooperation with like-minded partners,” he said.
For the second day, Manhit explained that the focus will shift to strategic initiatives necessary for fostering a robust economy and resilient society through the creation of green and high-quality jobs.
“Since 2022, the Marcos Jr. administration has implemented an 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda aimed at mitigating external risks and steering the economy back to a high-growth trajectory. This agenda prioritizes investments in sustainable infrastructure, critical minerals, and clean energy, positioning the Philippines as a key player in the global supply chain,” he explained.