by: Editor-in-Chief Ryan Tejero
The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (FACCGH) is a strong advocate of business ownership and entrepreneurship and provides a well-established network of resources for local and international trade and commerce as it bridges business opportunities on both sides of the Pacific. FACCGH’s success, according to FACCGH President, Dr. Noemi Frias, has earned for FACCGH the titles of “Outstanding Filipino American Chamber of Commerce” and “Chamber of the Year” from the Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce (FPACC), where she is also its National Secretary. The Federation is the umbrella organization of more than 45 chambers across the continental United States including those in Mexico, Canada, Australia, Japan, and Saudi Arabia.
FACCGH provides its members with unique opportunities to participate in trade missions organized for the purpose of discovering and exploring business opportunities, learning about foreign markets, and building global business networks and relationships. Encouraging and growing trade and commerce between the United States and the Philippines is FACCGH’s flagship program and has been its hallmark success story for the Federation. FACCGH’s founder, president emeritus, and chairman of its advisory board, Loloy Reyes has been with the Federation since 2004 and is currently serving as its Vice President for International Trade and Investments. As such, he has been spearheading successful trade missions to the Philippines which has brought into the country millions of dollars in investments and trade partnerships. These trade missions are in response to the President’s call for support for the economic development of our country.
The trade mission to Region 3 (composed of the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Tarlac, Zambales and Bataan) in 2022 has generated almost 2B pesos in investments. Memorandums of Understanding were drafted between FACCGH and CILA (Clark Investors and Locators Association); SBMA (Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority); AFAB (Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan); and PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority). The help and support of these government agencies and organizations together with the local government units (LGUs) headed by provincial governors and mayors, the regional offices of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) have provided ease in doing business and opened investment channels for Filipinos living abroad, Filipino-Americans, and foreign nationals.
Last October 2023, Reyes led a successful memorial and humanitarian mission to Bataan and Palawan, this time with the US-Vietnamese “Boat People” – former refugees who are now investing in the Philippines, the only country that opened its doors to them after the Fall of Saigon in 1975. In March of this year, another trade mission is being planned to Region 1 (Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur) and Cordillera Administrative Region (Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province; and two cities—Baguio City and Tabuk in Kalinga Province). If plans push through, this trade mission will also bring members of Houston’s international community -- business and government leaders to explore business and investment opportunities, develop business partnerships and learn about the latest advances, products, services, and market challenges in the Philippines as well as in the Region.
For more information: visit www.faccgh.org
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