Typhoon Kristine. In the wake of the devastation caused by Typhoon Kristine, members of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) demonstrated their unwavering commitment to community support by organizing a relief effort. Their generous donations have provided much-needed aid to affected communities, highlighting the power of solidarity during challenging times.
One of the key beneficiaries of this initiative was Angat Buhay, a non-governmental organization known for its grassroots efforts to uplift vulnerable communities. The organization received a portion of FICCI’s donation, enabling it to distribute essential relief goods, like food packs, to families in dire need.
The partnership between FICCI and Angat Buhay underscores the importance of collaboration in disaster response. FICCI members, many of whom are business leaders and entrepreneurs, united to pool resources and mobilize aid swiftly. Their efforts reached some of the hardest-hit areas, ensuring timely assistance for displaced families and individuals struggling to rebuild their lives.
FICCI’s initiative is a testament to the organization’s enduring commitment to social responsibility and its role in fostering partnerships that drive meaningful change. As recovery efforts continue, the support from organizations like FICCI serves as a beacon of hope, reminding everyone of the power of collective action in times of crisis.
Typhoon Lawin. Northern Philippines was recently devastated by Typhoon Lawin. FICCI immediately responded to a call for help from the Department of Labor Secretary Bello who was spearheading the relief efforts in the North. The Chamber was able to raise Php 540,000.00 from its members and friends and provided the relief effort with 26,000 cans of sardines, 16,000 bottles of water, and 16,000 packs of instant noodles.
Eye Camp. FICCI continue to conduct Eye Camps for those companies and groups who wish for us to do so. In these cases, the requesting parties fund these eye camps. Our members generously donate eyeglasses to deserving beneficiaries. FICCI continues to be on the lookout for a charity project that we can all be proud of.
Mentorship Program. FICCI was invited to be a speaker and panelist on the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem at National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Summit at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City on November 10 and 11, 2016. At the Summit, the Chamber was publicly recognized and thanked by Senator Bam Aquino, Senator Migz Zubiri, Secretry Ramon Lopez and Presidential Adviser Joey Conception for our full support of the Go Negosyo Project and for MSMEs in general. Subsequent to that, the Board passed a resolution to fully support this drive to achieve inclusive growth through the Go Negosyo Project. FICCI members are encouraged to be part of this endeavor by being mentors to budding entrepreneurs and to encourage and help micro and small entrepreneurs to succeed.
FICCI Sulu Kapatid Village. FICCI turned over the Chambers’ donation to build one village inthe province of Sulu composed of 20 homes. This will be the very first Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (Phil) Sulu Kapatid Village in the Philippines. The generosity of the FICCI members helped empower the community to have an improved quality life with a secured shelter.
The very first FICCI Kapatid village in Sulu broke ground on March 3, 2017. Construction has begun and FICCI is looking forward to the completion of the village that will change the lives of the chosen beneficiaries and contribute to lasting peace in Sulu. The FICCI is happy that the Chamber has contributed to planting the first seeds of hope for peace in Sulu.
FICCI believes that good quality life and inclusive humanitarian assistance are essential to building a more sensitive and compassionate nation.
Marawi Fund Drive. Immediately after the terrorist siege in Marawi, FICCI was one of the organizations who responded to address the immediate needs of the affected civilians. The FICCI once again called for support from its members to achieve a common goal of helping the plight of the displaced communities as well as the wounded soldiers in Marawi. With a happy heart, the overwhelming support of the FICCI members brought relief to the evacuees and the soldiers. FICCI donated goods, T-shirts, underwears, towels, medicines and other essential necessities which was valued at FIVE MILLION PESOS (Php5,000,000.00).
It was a humbling experience for the Indian community knowing that they were able to help their Filipino brothers and sisters in times of crisis and a sign of hope for the evacuees and the families of the soldiers knowing that their Indian brothers went out of their way to help them.
Fishing Boat Donation. The FICCI was once again fortunate to have the opportunity to help communities in Sulu by providing a total of 110 boats to pre-selected fishermen in order for them to have sustainable livelihood.
The donated boats will be used to harvest seaweeds which will be purchased by one of the FICCI’s program partners who will also provide shared facility dryer and seedlings to the beneficiaries. The communities who received the boats are the following:
a. Barangay Bagsak SLP Seaweeds Farmer’s Association 30 boats
b. Tumangas Multi-Purpose Cooperative 30 boats
c. Sama Badjau Fishermen Association (Kabukan) 20 boats
d. Pitogo Proper Fishermen Cooperative 30 boats
As always, FICCI’s generous members donated without hesitation. As the saying goes, “it is better to give boats so they can fish rather than give them fish which will be good only for a day.”
Full steam ahead to Philippines free from poverty. The FICCI is very thankful to its members who made it possible for the 1st batch of 45 scholars from Sulu to undergo training at the National College of Science and Technology (NCST).
The program is part of the Go Negosyo’s Pilipinas Angat Lahat wherein after their training, guaranteed work awaits them. What’s even greater is they will pay back Php 500.00 per month to make it sustainable for future scholars.
As of February 2019, the pioneer batch of 23 Sulu scholars, from the original 43 qualifiers, under the Education for Employment and Peace program (E4P) have successfully completed their NC2 requirements and will graduate on April 5, 2019.
They are now regular employees of partner companies in PEZA, a first for these companies to accept Muslim employees coming from Sulu province.
The E4P program is joint partnership of Go Negosyo, Sulu PLGU, NCST Cavite and big brother FICCI.
FICCI’s initiatives to come up with long-term solution for Biliary Atresia patients
The last 2 days have been such a blessing. Welcomed Dr. Sharat Varma, an amazing Doctor from New Delhi who performs daily miracles in saving lives of kids including our very own Filipino children who need liver transplants. Met with Manny V. Pangilinan , the folks at DOH , PGH, Senator Bam Aquino, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, PA Joey Concepcion, Tessie Coson of SM, amazing Doctors from The Medical City, Makati Medical, Philippine Childrens Medical Center, and our Vice President Leni Gerona Robredo who have all gone out of their way to help all these kids who need a life saving transplant. Joey Concepcion was right. Miracles do happen! Thank you to all that are part of the journey of these kids
FICCI Toys Distribution for Sulu Kids (November-December 2018)
FICCI sent toys to children in Sulu ad were distributed to the following areas:
Asian Day Care, Panamao, Sulu
Kannaway Day Care, Parang, Sulu
Sionogan Day Care, Indanan, Sulu
Ummul Qura, Madrasa, Indanan, Sulu
The Chamber flag flies high at the Masjid in Camp Bilal Munai, Lanao del Norte
FICCI’s donated prayer carpets were installed today, April 19, 2019 at the Masjid in Camp Bilal Munai, Lanao del Norte in the presence of Bangsamoro Transition Authority, Hon. Abdullah Macapaar (MILF Commander Bravo) and Munai Mayor Casan Maquiling.
This initiative is part of the ongoing commitment to support communities for peace and development in the region.
Today, Chamber goes there as peace and prosperity warriors.
FICCI supports the people of Sulu for the Baliw Eskwela Program of various schools in the province
FICCI sent goods to the victims of Mindanao Earthquake
When Mindanao was hit by a series of earthquakes last October and November 2019, FICCI reached out to the victims and evacuees through different organizations namely: the Office of the Vice President and the Cabinet Spouses Foundation of the Philippines. Generous members donated goods amounting to almost THREE MILLION Pesos consisting of: food packs, kitchen materials, hygiene and personal needs, items that are needed for sleeping and various goods that would be beneficial for the evacuee’s temporary shelter.
FICCI Gift giving day for the children of Marawi City Sagonsongan Area 6
FINS and GOOGLES for livelihood and environment protection in Coron Island
Fins and googles were turned over to environmental and sustainable tourism advocates Rannie Dulay and Garry Fuentebella to help bantay-dagat and Tagbanua communities in reef protection and livelihood activities in and around Coron Island. This will not be possible if not for the generosity of SPEEDO Philippines, who is also an active member of the Chamber.
Typhoon Ursula in Batad and Carles, Iloilo
In partnership with the Office of the Vice President, FICCI donated 1,000 food packs amounting to P400,000.00 for 1000 families in Carles and Batad, Iloilo who were devasted by Typhoon Ursula during Christmas.
Taal Volcano Eruption Relief Operations
FICCI was one of the first to respond the call for help right after the Taal Volcano erupted last January 12, 2020. FICCI sent 42 boxes of clothes through My Superhero Friends Foundation Inc., led by one of our members Mr. Mike Maranan. We also donated 45 cartons of clothes through initiatives of the Bureau of Immigration. The Cabinet Spouses also partnered with us to distribute our available items for donation.
As the news of imminent danger to our fellow Batangueno and nearby provinces still progresses, FICCI still raising funds to donate face masks, blankets, mattress and other items that will be needed in the evacuation centers. As of January 18, 2020, the FICCI has been able to raise P560,000.00 intended for the victims. The Fundraising campaign is ongoing.
150,000 Face Mask Donation for Frontliners
Today marks the day of valor in the Philippines, where not only did we commemorate the heroes of the past, but we also keep our intentions the medical and security frontlines addressing the current pandemic.
For the first time, Indian groups in the Philippines (Businessman’s Club, Bharati Indian Expat Women’s Association, India Business Forum, Embassy of India Manila, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (Phil) Inc. , Filipino Indian Commerce & Welfare Society Inc., Indian Ladies Club, Indian Cultural Association of the Phils., and the Sikh temple) have come together and donated 150,000 face masks worth 12,375,000 pesos to the Philippine government. This was received by no less than the Secretary of National Defense, Sec. Delfin Lorenzana and Covid 19 lead General Galvez today at Camp Aguinaldo. In attendance aside from both secretaries were also multiple Under Secretaries from the Dept. Of National Defense. We were joined by our very own Ambassador H.E. Jaideep Mazumdar who played a very inspiring role in making this happen. On behalf of the alliance of Indian groups , we would like to thank all donors who supported this endeavor.
Truly, this shows that the strength and resilience of the Indian and Filipino people remain strong. Mabuhay and Namaste!
I. Participation in Congressional and other Government Agency Hearings
The FICCI has been invited as resource group representing the private sector on the following occasions:
A. Congressional Hearings
B. Congressional Technical Working Group under the Committee on Trade
C. Congressional Technical Working Group under the Committee on Labor and Employment
D. Bureau of Customs Hearings on the implementing rules under the Customs Modernization Act.
E. Food and Drugs Authority on their modernization policies
F. Anti-Red Tape Authority on various concerns such as the Ease of Doing Business implementation