Our Vision Is Clear

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By HENRIK BATALLONES, SCMAP Director

For the past few years the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines has written a column on PortCalls, under the helm of its then executive director, Ed Sanchez. He ended the column in June 2014, after being diagnosed with cancer, all while remaining committed to the cause of improving the supply chain industry in the country. He died on December 2 of that year, a loss we in the organization still feel to this day.

 

But there is work to be done, and in the past couple of years SCMAP has made many moves to this end. We are armed with a new vision: to make the Philippine supply chain industry globally competitive by 2020. We have tied up with numerous organizations, both public and private: we have tied up with REID Foundation to enhance our research capabilities, and have collaborated with TESDA in formulating training regulations for warehouse personnel, ultimately leading to a national certification for said jobs. We have also expanded our reach, collaborating with organizations across the country (such as the People Management Association of the Philippines) and in the region (like our partnership with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council), alongside the establishment of a productive chapter in Cebu.

 

This year we set our sights towards Mindanao, an important, if underappreciated, spoke in the Philippine economy. Long the home to multinational brands such as Del Monte and Dole, it has recently seen a boost in its economy. Its major cities have seen infrastructure projects designed to increase its capacity and expand its capabilities.

 

In 2013 SCMAP mounted its first-ever event in Cagayan de Oro. It was a well-attended day-long affair, with attendees across many industries. We have inducted five members from the city, with the view of establishing a chapter there in the future.

 

This May, we return to the gateway to northern Mindanao with two events. Our annual Supply Chain Immersion – what used to be called the Logistics Immersion Course – will be setting sail to CDO on May 18, with a day-long conference aboard 2GO’s MV St. Leo the Great. Its participants will then join the first ever Mindanao Supply Chain Conference, which will be held on May 20.

 

Returning to CDO is a no-brainer for us at SCMAP. Having long been a logistics hub — the point of entry for many companies to the Mindanao market — recent developments have poised the city and its surrounding region for greater things. The opening of the Laguindingan Airport has made travel more comfortable and convenient for tourists and businessmen alike. Major developers such as SM and Ayala have also set their sights on the city, expanding or starting new projects there.

 

We will be releasing more information about both events in the coming weeks, but you can contact the SCMAP Secretariat through email (secretariat@scmap.org) for your queries.

 

Of course, SCMAP has more events up its sleeve in 2016. Our annual Supply Chain Conference will be held on September 15-16, and we will also hold our regular General Membership Meetings, the next of which will be held in April.

 

I would like to encourage you to take part in our events. Our vision for 2020 — a globally competitive supply chain industry in the country, with collaboration between all stakeholders and a professionalized workforce on all levels — has never been clearer, but it would only be a reality with your help and support.

 

Henrik Batallones is the marketing and communications executive of SCMAP. A former board director, he is also editor-in-chief of the organization’s official publication, Supply Chain Philippines. Inquiries and comments should be addressed to secretariat@scmap.org. For more information please go to SCMAP website www.scmap.org