Converge ICT Solutions Inc. CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony Uy has urged the local business community to remain steadfast in its role to help build the nation as the country continues to face challenges amid rising COVID-19 cases and inflationary pressures triggered by external factors.
During the Makati Business Club (MBC) signature forum, “Leading in Extraordinary Times,” Uy underscored the role of the business community in regaining investor confidence to make the Philippines a viable place for investments despite current challenges.
“Every successful business is a step towards economic recovery. So, let us do what we do best. Keep our shops running, identify opportunities, innovate, and continue to help improve lives,” Uy shared.
He noted that the government needs private sector support for economic recovery, especially in infrastructure development.
“These are difficult times, I admit, but with cooperation from the business sector and sound economic management from the (new) administration, we can survive this economic downturn,” said Uy.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. earlier formed the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) which will serve as the representative body of the Philippine business community. Uy has been enlisted as a member of the PSAC’s Digital Infrastructure committee, focusing on narrowing the digital divide and achieving universal connectivity.
The Converge co-founder also noted that the company takes part in nation-building by connecting the unserved and underserved Filipino communities. He said that Converge opens up new opportunities for Filipinos “by promoting digital democracy and extending the right to connectivity to the marginalized.”
As of end-March 2022, Converge already covered more than 12 million Filipino households with 6.5 million fiber ports. This was powered by over 500,000 kilometers of total fiber assets, being the youngest and one of the most extensive in the country.
“Now is not the time to turn inwards or mind our own business; rather, now more than ever we should go out of our comfort zones and seek out larger causes that help the common Filipino,” he noted.
Also present in the event is Telstra Philippines Managing Director Benjamin Romualdez who underscored the impacts of the pandemic to industries and the importance of connectivity amid the renewed expectations of customers on staying connected.
“We see tremendous potential in the Philippines. As the leading submarine network operator in Asia, Telstra can leverage this core strength to accelerate the country’s potential as the Asia’s next connectivity hub. Our purpose in Telstra is to build a connected future so everyone can thrive,” said Romualdez.
This year’s Makati Business Club Forum, in partnership with Microsoft Philippines, seeks to highlight relevant experiences and practices from the country’s most esteemed CEOs to inspire and enable local businesses to accelerate job creation and economic growth
“We started this series just months into the pandemic to give members and executives the opportunity to hear from and talk with each other in navigating the crisis,” said MBC Executive Director Coco Alcuaz.
