The Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands

Official Website: www.chamberphilislands.ph

The CHAMBER traces its roots back to the Spanish period when the King of Spain Alfonso XII through Queen Regent Maria Cristina issued a Royal Decree on April 9, 1886 creating the “Camara” institutions for all Spanish colonies. In 1887, the Camara de Comercio de Manila was formally organized and presented to the General Assembly that eventually created the statutes and by-laws that was finally approved by Her Majesty Queen Regent Maria Cristina on February 9, 1888. The CHAMBER’s first president was Sr. Don Joaquin Maria Elizalde.

On July 19, 1903, the Camara de Comercio de Manila held its first formal session in Spanish with the Philippine Governor General William Howard Taft as its Honorary President and Don Francisco Reyes as the CHAMBER President. During the American period, English began to be used instead of Spanish, thereby; the Camara was officially referred to in documents as the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands. At the end of World War II, upon the attainment of independence, the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Department of Commerce and Industry, issued a Reconstruction of Records of the CHAMBER and renamed it as Camara de Comercio Filipinas.

Upon the assumption to power of a martial law government, the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (CCP) and another organization set-up in the 1950’s – the Philippine Chamber of Industry (PCI) – , were instructed to unite into one single organization. After months of discussions, the PCI dissolved itself, while the CCP continued its existence by amending its name to the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Foundation. Instead of uniting or merging, both organizations named 30 individuals each from CCP & PCI, for a total of 60 charter founding members to establish in 1978 a new organization to be known as the Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCCI).

In the midst of all the spirited Philippine business voices after the People Power Revolution, the CHAMBER stands as the traditional foundation and pillar, being the oldest existing business organization of the country. After years of being a foundation, the CHAMBER’s Board of Directors decided to revert the CHAMBER back to its original name, the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands (The “CHAMBER”).

On November 20, 2014, the CHAMBER as an organization was recognized by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) as an “Institution” while the CHAMBER building as a “Landmark Structure”. It is in this light that the CHAMBER now positions itself to honor tried and tested Philippine companies, 25 years and above, by making them Honorary Members of the CHAMBER, and through them, implement projects to mentor the country forward to a better future.

With the slogan “HISTORY BUILDS THE FUTURE FIVE PILLARS”, the CHAMBER shall strive to fulfill its role as an instrument for business and country excellence, guided by the substantive contents of the Chamber Five Pillars – National Economic Compass covering: The Filipino & Education, Infrastructure & Environment, Philippine Businesses, The Philippine Government, and The Economy.