Gov. Edgar Chatto on Friday talked among the select panelists of the 2nd Asian Business Conference organized by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in Makati City, again bringing Bohol to the fore of global respect. The high-profile event assembled some 500 business and public leaders, international and multilateral organizations, academe and research institutions, and civil society groups from the region and beyond. On the theme “2015 Approaching: Priming for ASEAN Integration,” the conference presented opportunities whereby businesses and policy makers could widen their networks and explore possibilities of joint initiatives or ventures. But it also considered both the yet unknown and predictable conditions which could give rise to certain risks and challenges that need to be carefully assessed this early.

The AIM under its president Dr. Steven J. DeKrey, in partnership with its alumni association, chose Chatto as one of the panelists in the discusiion and track session on “Building A Resilient ASEAN Economic Community.” The only governor and local chief executive in the country given the privilege and prestige, Chatto was joined by Usec. Danilo Antonio of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery and Dr. Abdul Alim, deputy representatives of the UNICEF Philippines. The session also had Roberto Romulo, chairman of the Board of Advisors, AIM Policy Center; Dr. Rodel Lasco, scientific director, Oscar M. Lopez Center for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management Foundation Inc.; Anotonia Loyzaga, executive director, Manila Observatory; Guillermo Luchangco, chairman and chief executive officer, Investment & Capital Corporation of the Philippines; and, as moderator, Veronica Uy, senior editor, Interaksyon.com, TV 5.

Building resilience to economic crises and natural disasters is key to a vibrant and sustainable ASEAN economic community, the conference admitted. Done at the AIM Center at the Eugenio Lopez Foundation Building in Makati, the session looked into the experiences of ASEAN countries in terms of resiliency in handling economic and environmental shocks within and even outside the region. Bohol's epic earthquake experience and tenacity in recovering provided a conference template as the session proceeded to the recent cases and best practices to see what lessons could be drawn, notably on effective disaster response and resilience measures by both public and private sectors. The conference identified the development of case studies and research as a valuable knowledge resource for policy and program development. Chatto said the conference likewise tracked themes on harnessing banking and financial markets, realizing ASEAN's full human capital potential, strengthening connectivity, and strengthening leadership and governance.

The 2nd ABC (Asian Business Conference) explored developments, chances and issues of critical importance to business and the people of the region. It was held against the backdrop of an emerging ASEAN Economic Community which, with open borders and free intra-ASEAN trade by 2015, is expected to create more investments, thereby improving the region's competitiveness. All these will allow the region to gain greater influence in the global economic and political stages. The first day of the conference involved plenary sessions, held at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, which also had speakers/panelists/thought leaders of international, regional and national prominence. The breakout sessions were spearheaded by the “centers of excellence” of the AIM---Andrew Tan, Center for Tourism; Central Bank's Jose Fernandez, Center for Banking and Finance; Ramon del Rosario, Center for Corporate Responsibility and Corporate Governance; and Dr. Stephen Zuellig, Center for Asian Business Transformation, among others. Chatto said, “Along with the ASEAN, Bohol has to know how will it get to where it wants to go.” (Ven rebo Arigo)