Press Release

PHILIPPINES SHOWCASES ECONOMIC GROWTH AND HEALTHCARE INFORMATION MANAGEMENT CAPABILITIES IN CHICAGO PUBLIC FORUM

Consul General J. Susana V. Paez (middle row, in green) pose with some delegates and public forum participants. (Photo: Chicago PCG/Melvin Almonguera)

18 April 2023 – The Philippine Trade and Investment Center in New York under the supervision of Trade Commissioner Benedict M. Uy and the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago led by Consul General J. Susana V. Paez, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), and the Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines (HIMAP), organized a public forum entitled “Philippine Economic Updates and Opportunities in Healthcare Information Management Services” held at Hilton Chicago on 17 April 2023.

The public forum shared the good news about the Philippines, which is one of the fastest growing economies in Asia, and its capabilities in information technology business processing, particularly healthcare information management services. More than eighty participants, most of whom were business executives and healthcare administrators, graced the forum.

Consul General Paez welcomed the participants. She noted the robust economic ties between the Philippines and the US Midwest, and the complementary and vital role of the Filipino workforce in American companies’ value chains. DTI Undersecretary for Competitiveness and Innovation Dr. Rafaelita M. Aldaba shared the Philippines’ rapid post-pandemic economic growth of the Philippines, investment priority sectors, and enhanced incentives and openness to foreign equity participation. PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga pitched the attractiveness of ecozones for healthcare information management and other enterprises. DICT Director Emmylou Versoza-Delfin discussed the Philippines’ digital transformation and infrastructure upgrades. IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) CEO Jack Madrid and HIMAP President Vincent Remo relayed the significant contribution of the IT-BPM sector to the Philippine economy, and the higher value-adding services the county is now capable of providing to global clients.

ADEC Innovations CEO James Donovan, Full Scale CEO Matt DeCoursey, and Visaya KPO CEO Butch Valenzuela provided testimonials on how they benefited from the location advantages of the Philippines to grow their enterprises through a conducive business environment and a highly skilled, dedicated and customer focused workforce.

The forum also provided an opportunity for delegates from the Philippines to network with their counterparts in Chicago and explore business opportunities. END

Consul General J. Susana V. Paez delivers the opening remarks. (Chicago PCG/Noly Dulay)

Head of delegation Usec. Rafaelita Aldaba presents the Philippines’ strengths. (Photo: Chicago PCG/Noly Dulay)

The speakers (L-R): IBPAP CEO Jack Madrid, PEZA Director General Tereso Panga, DTI Underecretary Aldaba,
DICT Director Emmylou Delfin, and HIMAP President Vincent Remo) answer questions from participants. (Photo: Chicago PCG/Noly Dulay)

Participants listen intently to the speakers. (Photo: Chicago PCG/Noly Dulay)

Philippine officials (L-R): Consul Ryan Gener, DICT Planning Officer Jeehad Januar Tanggol, PEZA Director Delfin, DTI Usec. Aldaba, Consul General Paez, PEZA Director General Panga, DTI Division Chief Maria Teresa Loring, PEZA Group Manager Atty. Ross Vincent Sy, B Philip Teomar Radin (PEZA DG’s Office), Consul Melvin Almonguera, and PTIC-New York Trade Commissioner Benedict Uy. (Photo: Chicago PCG/Noly Dulay)

ADEC Innovations CEO James Donovan (left) and Full Scale CEO Matt DeCoursey (5th from left), pose with the delegation after delivering testimonials on investing in the Philippines. (Photo: Chicago PCG/Noly Dulay)