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ASEAN-BAC PH, SM Cares, Global Peace foundation unite for Youth Entrepreneurship Summit PH

[18 SEPTEMBER 2026 | PASAY CITY] — The ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Philippines, led by ASEAN-BAC Chair Jose Ma. “Joey” A. Concepcion III, sealed a tripartite partnership with SM Cares and the Global Peace Foundation Philippines to build up the region’s youth entrepreneurship ecosystem and support youth participation in the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairship.

The partnership, signed last September 18 at Citadines Bay City Manila in Pasay City will support the ASEAN Youth Entrepreneurship Summit, a flagship event on October 12 which is expected to bring together more than 10,000 young entrepreneurs and youth participants.

Under the agreement, the three organizations will work to connect more young people with opportunities in entrepreneurship, boost their capabilities, and create platforms where the youth can actively participate in making a difference for the future of entrepreneurship.

Representing SM Cares were Royston Cabunag, Program Director for SM Cares Children and Youth, and Leonard Faustino, Executive Director of the Global Peace Foundation Philippines.

The partnership supports the council’s People Pillar, which focuses on inclusive growth and people-centered regional development, with youth participation, entrepreneurship, and skills development as part of efforts to build a more inclusive regional economy.

ABOUT ASEAN-BAC PH

The ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN‑BAC) is the region’s principal private sector advisory body, providing business insights and recommendations to ASEAN Leaders. It serves as the primary platform for the private sector to engage with policymakers, advocate for economic cooperation, and advance ASEAN’s integration agenda. It was founded in 2001. 

In 2026, ASEAN-BAC Philippines, led by Chair Jose Ma. “Joey” Concepcion III alongside Members George Barcelon and Michael Tan, is chair and host of the Council and its Dialogue Partners, ensuring that private sector priorities are integrated into regional economic development and policy initiatives.

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MEDIA NOTE: All interview requests related to ASEAN-BAC PHILIPPINES should be directed to the ASEAN-BAC PH Communications Manager, at josenatividad@gonegosyo.ph

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Published

September 18, 2026 at 10:10 PM

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In the photo are (from left) ASEAN–BAC council member George Barcelon, First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos, Concepcion, the President, Marissa Concepcion, and ASEAN–BAC council member Michael Tan.

PHILIPPINES ASSUMES 2026 CHAIRSHIP OF ASEAN-BAC AT MALAYSIA HANDOVER CEREMONIES

The Philippines officially assumed the 2026 Chairship of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) last October 26, 2025, as ASEAN-BAC Malaysia handed over leadership of the regional body which provides private sector feedback and guidance to boost ASEAN’s efforts towards economic integration and identifies priority areas for consideration by ASEAN Leaders.The ASEAN-BAC Philippines delegation, headed by its chair Jose Ma. Concepcion III, and council members George Barcelon and Michael Tan, traveled to Kuala Lumpur tor the handover ceremonies held as the highlight of the ASEAN-BAC Events and Related Summits held from October 24 to 27, including the ASEAN Business & Investment Summit and the ASEAN Business Awards, and the inaugural ASEAN Inclusive Growth Summit. The events are held alongside the 47th ASEAN Summit, which gathers the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.The ASEAN-BAC Philippines is expected to build on the theme “Prosperity for All”, its guiding theme at its last chairship in 2017. “There has been plenty of exchanging of ideas, and I am glad to hear how some resonate with my own views of the role of ASEAN and the private sector in bringing about inclusive, sustainable growth,” said Concepcion. “As we take on this new role, our goal is to build on this momentum, empowering MSMEs and strengthening partnerships that drive inclusive growth and food security across the region. Together, we can ensure that the ASEAN spirit of unity, innovation, and entrepreneurship continues to thrive,” said Concepcion.

CONCEPCION: CORRUPTION LOOMS LARGE AS PH PREPARES FOR ASEAN 2026

The chaos surrounding the issue of systemic corruption in the Philippines looms large as a private sector delegation prepares for the country’s chairship of the ASEAN in 2026. ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Philippines chair and incoming ASEAN BAC chair Jose Ma. “Joey” Concepcion III expressed this concern in his speech during the 51st Philippine Business Conference & Expo (PBCE) last Tuesday, October 21, 2025. This is as he and members of the ASEAN-BAC PH, which include George Barcelon and Michael Tan, prepare to leave for Kuala Lumpur for the ASEAN Business Investment Summit and the turnover of the ASEAN chairship from Malaysia to the Philippines.Speaking at a plenary session of the event organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Concepcion called the corruption scandal “a big setback”. “It reflects so poorly on the Philippines,” he said. “I know that the private sector plays a huge role in economic growth but it is also important that our legislators understand that we cannot do this alone,” he said.Concepcion pointed out that ASEAN 2026 will be the biggest event of its scale under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s presidency. “As we host the ASEAN in 2026, we have to project that the Philippines has a great future,” he said.“We have to project that this country is an honest country. That we do not steal from [our] people,” he said. At the same time, he thanked government agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Office of the First Lady, which support efforts to help the country’s micro-, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through collaborations with Go Negosyo, the non-profit he founded in 2005 to advocate for the country’s small entrepreneurs. He also thanked the PCCI, whose members regularly volunteer to become mentors to MSMEs through Go Negosyo’s public entrepreneurship mentoring events throughout the country.MSMEs will be a priority agenda for the ASEAN-BAC chairship, along with agriculture and food security, the creative industry, digital technologies, and human capital, specifically the economic empowerment of women and the youth. “If we want this country to be more inclusive, it cannot be just [the few] who are enjoying prosperity … The key is to bring about greater prosperity for every Filipino,” he said.Concepcion was a panelist on a session on “Scaling Local Enterprises for Global Impact”. The session was opened by DTI Secretary Cris Roque, who presented the government’s key initiatives and programs that empower MSMEs to embrace digital transformation.