On 16 May 2024, at three o’clock in the afternoon, officers of the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI), led by Mr. Samuel Lee Uy (President), conducted a courtesy meeting with Senator Mark Villar in Coffee Project, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. Along with President Uy were Honorary President Stephen Tan Sia; Honorary Vice President Johnny Lee; Vice President Jocelyn Johanna See; Vice President Vicente Co; and Vice Chairman Earl Jason S. Li. Present with the Sen. Villar was his legislative staff, Atty. Rowie Capate, who also contributed useful insights to the discussion.

Sen. Villar who is the current Senate Deputy Majority Leader and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship spearheaded a productive discussion of his landmark legislations including the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Bill which aims to further assist Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country and the recent Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA) which intends to prevent financial cybercrimes including economic sabotage.

At the beginning of the meeting, President Uy expressed the organization’s deep appreciation of Sen. Villar’s enthusiasm to meet the officers of CFBCI and converse with them despite his jam-packed schedule. The Senator appreciated such gesture and emphasized that public officials like him intend to strengthen their connections with non-government organizations in order to design legislations that will cater to the specific needs of the community and alleviate present issues in the country.

Aside from the OTOP Bill and AFASA, Sen. Villar was also proud to share the workings of the recently established E-Commerce Office (ECO) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) which will be responsible for the implementation of plans and programs that aim to develop e-commerce strategies in the country, in coordination with other national government agencies, private sector, business communities, and stakeholders.

Moreover, the present challenge of maintaining rich trade and tourism relations between the Philippine and China amid current territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea was also brought up in the conversation of two parties. “This is a very delicate issue,” said Sen. Villar. He emphasized that while there are some things that we cannot concede because of our duty to preserve our territorial integrity, we must always choose the power of ‘words’ instead of arms in resolving this dispute. CFBCI responded to him with great admiration as the organization is also promoting peace and diplomacy with regards to the issue.

Nearing towards the end of the meeting, Senator Villar reassured CFBCI that his office will remain open for future policy proposals and legislative concerns even those beyond the jurisdiction of his Committee. CFBCI truly appreciated his utmost willingness to relay the insights of the Tsinoy community to his colleagues in Senate. “Twenty-four lang naman kami, nagkikita naman kami araw-araw” (We are only twenty-four, and we see each other everyday). “We are your bridges,” said Sen. Villar.

After a successful and productive session, CFBCI presented the CFBCI Official Seal and Coffee Table Book to the Senator as symbols of gratitude and optimism for future collaboration. Sen. Villar received such tokens with great appreciation.

菲華工商總會訊：本會領導人於五月十六日（星期四）下午三時在達義市Coffee Project與參議院多數黨副領袖馬克．維拉（Senator Mark Villar）進行交流。

馬克．維拉參議員是參議院貿易、商業和創業委員會主席，其在參議院所推動的主要法案包括有，幫助本國微型、小型和中型企業（MSME）的一鎮一產品法案（OTOP）及近期通過的旨在包括經濟破壞在內的金融網絡犯罪「反金融帳戶詐騙法案」（AFASA）等。

座談中，理事長黃書瑋由衷地感謝參議員馬克．維拉在百忙中撥冗與本會領導同仁會面，並且對於維拉參議員上任以來積極推動各項有利於國家經濟發展的法案表示肯定與讚揚。

維拉參議員則表示，公職人員與非政府組織加強聯繫是必需的，藉此聽取大家的意見，以制定符合社會大眾的法案，解決國家當前所面臨的各項問題。他向本會領導同仁介紹了貿工部近期所成立的電子商務辦公室，並指出，該辦公室將負責與其它政府單位、私營企業或相關部門協調，以制定未來的國家電子商務策略、計劃和方案。

座談期間，雙方就共同關心的經濟議題進行了深入的探討，維拉參議員誠懇地表示，他非常願意擔任華社與參議院的橋樑，將大家的心聲轉達予參議院的同僚。

當天前往拜訪的本會領導有理事長黃書瑋，名譽理事長謝國萬，名譽副理事長李少平，副理事長施茵茵、許長泰，青年企業委員會副主任楊榮輝及英文秘書梅西卡。

圖片說明：贈送參議員維拉本會徽章及二十週年紀念特刊。（左起）維拉參議員立法事務幕僚Atty. Rowie Capate、許長泰、施茵茵、馬克．維拉、黃書瑋、謝國萬、李少平、楊榮輝及梅西卡。