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The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry is pushing for stronger integration between concerned government agencies and the private sector
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Smart infrastructure and digital adoption are the foundation for a globally competitive supply chain, said PCCI Transport & Logistics Committee director Michael Tan
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The PCCI said stronger integration between the Bureau of Customs, Department of Transportation, Department of Trade and Industry, and private logistics providers is essential
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) is pushing for stronger integration between concerned government agencies and the private sector, as well as the use of digital technology to achieve a seamless logistics and reliable supply chain ecosystem in the country.
With cargo volumes growing and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) neighbors accelerating their logistics innovations, the PCCI said the Philippines faces a clear choice: maintain the status quo or invest boldly in the future.
The PCCI noted that the country’s logistics industry continues to grapple with challenges that threaten its long-term competitiveness. Compared to neighboring countries like Singapore and Malaysia, the Philippines lags in tech-driven logistics zones, last-mile innovation, and intermodal efficiency.
“The Philippines is an archipelago, which naturally makes logistics complex and costly. But this is exactly why we must innovate faster. Smart infrastructure and digital adoption are indeed the foundation for a globally competitive supply chain,” PCCI Transport & Logistics Committee director Michael Tan said in a statement.
For his part, PCCI Supply Chain & Logistics Committee chair Pierre Carlo Curay said: “Every delay in embracing technology is a missed opportunity for trade growth. If we want to be a serious player in global commerce, the time to transform our logistics sector is now.”
Curay said technology levels the playing field for Philippine logistics.
“When you can track shipments in real time, integrate customs clearance digitally, and optimize routes instantly, you cut costs, reduce delays, and open doors for more trade and investment,” he said.
Moreover, the PCCI said stronger integration between the Bureau of Customs, Department of Transportation, Department of Trade and Industry, and private logistics providers is essential for the Philippines to achieve a seamless logistics ecosystem.
The PCCI noted for example its role in “bridging policy and practice.”
Through its partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, the PCCI said it supports the government’s 3-Year Food Logistics Action Agenda, which aims to modernize the country’s food supply chain through optimized logistics, cold chain infrastructure, and port facilities.
The PCCI also collaborates with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority to encourage micro, small, and medium enterprises to locate in economic zones and become local partners for foreign investments, completing the local supply chain.
The organization also actively works with government agencies to accelerate the adoption of electronic customs clearance, real-time cargo tracking platforms, and integrated transport corridors that connect ports, airports, and economic zones.
From advocating for fully digitized port systems to backing the development of modern logistics parks and regional intermodal hubs, PCCI said it has been relentless in pushing reforms to make Philippine logistics faster, smarter, and more cost-efficient.
By uniting the business community’s resources and expertise with government-led infrastructure and policy initiatives, the PCCI said it helps ensure that the Philippines not only keeps pace with its ASEAN neighbors but positions itself as a competitive, future-ready logistics hub in the region.
To further accelerate its agenda, a future-ready logistics infrastructure and the power of public-private partnerships to drive inclusive growth will be part of conversations during the PCCI’s 51st Philippine Business Conference & Expo on October 20-21.
The Chamber said it will use the event to rally stakeholders around a unified logistics and connectivity roadmap — aligning government programs like Build Better More with private sector innovation and policy reforms to boost efficiency, cut costs, and expand digital access nationwide.
