PFA officials upbeat on RP economic outlook

MANILA, Philippines - Newly elected officers of the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) have expressed their collective confidence over the bullish Philippine economic outlook for this year, citing opportunities in tourism, business process outsourcing and agriculture as possible areas of growth which the franchising sector can explore.

Composed of noted personalities in the Philippine franchise sector led by Robert F. Trota, and Elizabeth Pardo-Orbeta, as chairman and president, respectively, the new set of PFA board of trustees and officers for the term 2009-2011 is poised to lead in sustaining and elevating further the sector’s status as a leading participant in national economic development and as an important player in the global franchise arena. Bing Sibal-Limjoco has also been appointed chair of Franchise Asia 2011 poised to be the biggest franchise event in Asia next year where the Philippines won the bid to host both the World Franchise Council (WFC) and the Asia-Pacific Franchise confederation (APFC) meetings.

Trota, Pardo-Orbeta and Limjoco are all graduates of the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program, the only professional development program for franchise executives offered by the US-based International Franchise Association (IFA) through the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives (ICFE).

Although the prospects are overwhelmingly positive for the economy, Trota exhorts caution amid optimistic expectations for 2010. “It is prudent that we remain cautious of the challenges that lie ahead and be relentless in our efforts of creating a more relevant franchise sector which will bring forth lasting and beneficial contributions to the Philippine economy and the world,” Trota said.

Aside from furthering the growth and development of the local franchise sector, PFA’s key strategies are also channeled towards preparations for its annual paramount show, the 18th Philippine International Franchise Conference and Expo (PIFCE 2010), and the much-anticipated major international event, Franchise Asia 2011 which will feature the twin meetings of the Asia-Pacific Franchise Confederation (APFC) and the World Franchise Council (WFC), to be hosted by the Philippines through PFA.

“Franchise Asia 2011 will bring to the country the who’s who in the international franchise arena. This is an opportune time for us to market to the foreign delegates not only our homegrown franchise concepts but all the best that the Philippines has to offer,” Orbeta said.

Joining Trota and Orbeta in the PFA board are Samie Lim, (Blims Fine Furniture), chairman emeritus; Bing Sibal-Limjoco, (Francorp Philippines), vice-chairman and Franchise Asia 2011 chairman; Manuel Siggaoat, (Manels Leathergoods), vice-chairman-finance; Leo Dominguez (Quisumbing Torres Law Office), VP-Legal and Corporate Affairs; Victor Paterno (Philippine Seven Corp.), VP-Internal Affairs/Ethical Standards; Freddie Go (Goldilocks Bakeshop), VP-Membership Recruitment; Martin Lorenzo (Pancake House), VP-National Development; Ernesto Tanmantiong (Jollibee), VP-Government Relations and Advocacy; Ben Chan (Bench), VP-Mall Relations; George Yang (McDonald’s Philippines), VP-Research and Related Services; Celestino Reyes, (Reyes Hair International), VP-CSR and Governance; Jose Magsaysay, Jr. (Cinco Corp.), VP-MSME Development; and, Dr. Alan Escalona (Fruit Magic), VP-Membership Benefits.

Lawyer Ferdinand Negre (Bengzon Negre Untalan Intellectual Property Attorney) is the new corporate secretary, while lawyer Pericles Casuela (Quisumbing Torres Law Office) is assistant corporate secretary.

Also appointed were Siu Ping Par, (PR Gaz Haus), director-NCR; Jose Antonio Soler (Solerex Group of Companies) director-North Luzon; Froilan Manotok, (Red Ribbon Bakeshop) director – South Luzon; Johnny Que (Waffle Time) director – Visayas; Virgilio Espeleta, (Julie’s Franchise Corp.) director – Cebu; and Francis Glenn Yu (Seaoil Philippines) director – Mindanao.