MANILA, Philippines - The country’s business groups are gearing up to form an alliance that would create programs aimed at alleviating poverty and usher in prosperity for all Filipinos.

 The alliance is a long term private sector-led campaign seeking to build a multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary collaboration of organizations and individuals which is being initiated by presidential adviser for entrepreneurship and ASEAN Business Advisory Council chairman Joey Concepcion.

“What I’m proposing is we all form an alliance of all chambers and business associations to really pursue inclusivity in the Philippines. The alliance here will consolidate all the ideas for prosperity and once we have consensus with the private sector then we will work with the government to submit our ideas to them,” Concepcion said.

Concepcion said one of the primary goals of the proposed alliance is to help reduce poverty in the country in the next five years as planned and promised by President Duterte.

“The chambers have their own plans and maybe it’s about time that we really try to work together, form a working group, go to the process and come out with a plan that can align with the government,” he said.

 “Hopefully, this alliance will gain more momentum to really influence policies in government. If we work individually it won’t work, but it will work as a group,” Concepcion added.

Among the groups expected to join the alliance are the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Management Association of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, Financial Executives of the Philippines, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc., Philippine Franchising Association, Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, and Bankers Association of the Philippines.

Members of this alliance are expected to participate in all upcoming ASEAN activities and help in the continuous campaign for infrastructure. They will also be part of the technical working committee which will develop a national platform for micro, small, and medium enterprise development.

National Competitiveness Council co-chairman for the private sector Bill Luz said the proposed alliance is a great program that would provide an avenue for businesses to work together.

By Richmond Mercurio (The Philippine Star) | Updated May 11, 2017 - 12:00am