US-ASEAN Business Council, U.S. Embassy, Co-Host Industry Roundtables on Energy and Infrastructure during First-of-its-Kind Trade Mission to the Philippines
March 14, 2024
(Manila, Philippines) ---- On March 12, 2024, the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) co-hosted Industry Roundtables on Energy and Infrastructure with the U.S. Embassy in Manila on the occasion of the maiden U.S. Presidential Trade and Investment Mission (PTIM) to the Philippines. The roundtables brought together key stakeholders from Philippine government, the private sector, and PTIM delegates to discuss crucial topics shaping the energy and infrastructure sectors.
The Energy Roundtable was opened and moderated by Amb. Ted Osius (ret.), the USABC’s President and CEO. Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla provided a briefing on the industry landscape and the Philippines’ renewable energy transition plans. The discussions covered into various facets of energy transition and clean energy initiatives. The roundtable was participated in by U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Ewing, Energy Assistant Secretary Ronald Conquilla, Board of Investments Executive Director Corazon Halili-Dichosa, Meralco Chief Sustainability Officer Raymond Ravelo, Quezon Power Managing Director Frank Thiel, Citi CEO and Philippines Country Head Paul Favila, IBM Client Innovation Center President and Philippines Country Head Sanjiv Gupta, Amber Kinetics CEO Ed Chua, USABC Philippines Country Representative Herminio “Third” Bagro, and the following PTIM delegates: Bechtel Regional President for East Asia and Pacific Ann-Marie Padgett; Black and Veatch President Narsingh Chaudry and Director for Southeast Asia Lee Mather; Boston Consulting Group Global Chair Rich Lesser; Marquis Energy Co-Founder & Vice President and Director of Marketing Tom Marquis and Managing Director Johan Ullman; Sol-Go CEO and Chairman of the Board Scott McHugo; GreenFire Energy President Steven Brown and Vice President of Finance and Business Development Sam Sainju; InnovationForce Founder and CEO Kimberly Getgen; and Microsoft Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Mary Snapp.
Amb. Osius stated, “With clean energy transition as one of the key focus areas of this first-of-its kind Presidential Trade and Investment Mission, we see the growing interest of the U.S. private sector to work with Filipino stakeholders in the country’s energy development and transition efforts.”
Ms. Florina “Binggay” Vistal, the Council’s Philippines Chief Representative, moderated the Infrastructure Roundtable. Discussions centered on ongoing infrastructure and public-private partnership projects of the Philippine government, and business climate and investment opportunities in the public works and highways sector.
The session was attended by Amb. Chantale Wong from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), U.S. Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John Batan, U.S. Embassy Senior Commercial Officer Paul Taylor, U.S. Trade and Development Agency Regional Financing and Implementation Manger for Indo-Pacific Region Alid Camara, Metro Pacific Investment Corporation President and CEO Rogelio Singson, Zuellig Pharma Market Managing Director Jannette Jakosalem, ADB Vice President for Market Solutions Bhargav Dasgupta, AECOM Philippines Country Representative Sylvester Wong, San Miguel Holdings Corporation Chief Financial Officer and Treasury Head Raoul Romulo, and the following PTIM delegates: Apl.de.Ap Foundation International Founder Apl.de.Ap and Executive Director Audie Vergara; Bechtel Country Representative Cristina de Leon; United Airlines Director for Strategic and Planning Max Slutsky; Capital One President Sara Murphy; Google Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Southeast Asia Yves Gonzalez; and Visa Head of Government Engagement for Regional Southeast Asia Alisha Sulisto.
Ms. Vistal remarked, “The private sector remains optimistic about potential partnerships in the ongoing implementation of diverse projects in the sector, as these projects help foster a stronger economy, bolster supply chain resilience, promote a thriving tourism sector, attract increased foreign investments, and reinforce public infrastructure resilience in the Philippines.”
These roundtables underscored the importance of collaboration and dialogue in identifying opportunities in the energy and infrastructure sectors. The Council remains committed to strengthening U.S.-Philippine relations and attracting more foreign investment to the Philippines, further advancing mutual prosperity and growth.Celebrating its 40th year, the USABC continues to serve as the leading advocacy organization for U.S. corporations operating within the ASEAN region.
