The new Board of Directors of SCMAP was sworn in yesterday as part of Supply Chain Outlook, the organization’s kick-off event for 2017.

The Board, led by president Nestor Felicio, were sworn in by Department of Labor and Employment undersecretary Bernard Olalia, in ceremonies held yesterday at the Palawan ballroom of the EDSA Shangri-la Manila in Mandaluyong City.

Also sworn in yesterday were vice president Christine Pardiñas, secretary Dina Pilapil, treasurer Manny Onrejas, auditor Clarissa Castillo, and directors Tina Alvarez, Mark Philip Comandante, Carlo Curay, German Martizano and Anghelita Santor.

The event, which served as the first General Membership Meeting for 2017, featured a stellar panel of speakers casting their sights on the year ahead for supply chain, as well as hot topics that might affect it.

Kicking everything off was economist Dr. Bernardo Villegas of the University of Asia and the Pacific, who expressed optimism for the Philippine economy because of its large consumer base.

Dr. Henry Basilio of USAID-COMPETE then followed with an overview of planned infrastructure projects for the year ahead, as well as government’s efforts to usher in what it describes as the “Golden Age of Infrastructure”.

A significant amount of time was devoted to the government’s planned reforms of labor laws and targetted end to the practice of “endo”. Usec. Olalia represented the government side, while Atty. Apollo Sangalang viewed things from a legal perspective, and former People Management Association of the Philippines president Jesse Francis Rebustillo took the stance of the management side.

Delegates – which totalled 121 – were also given the chance to air their questions to the panel in an open forum.

After the swearing in, Felicio took to the stage to preview the year ahead for SCMAP, elaborating on its battle cry for 2017, “Connect. Engage. Move.”

Supply Chain Outlook, an annual event held every February, serves not just as the induction of the new SCMAP board, but also looks at the issues and developments set to affect the industry in the year ahead. Previous speakers include DPWH undersecretary Ma. Catalina Cabral and former BOC commissioner Alberto Lina.

The event was sponsored by Manila North Harbour Port Inc., Fast Logistics, 2GO Group and F2 Logistics.