The 6th PCIR Working Group (WG) Meeting was held on 05 November at the Boardroom, Penthouse of the BOI Industry and Investments Building in Makati City. Chaired by Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa, the Executive Director of BOI, and co-chaired by Engr. Gretchen F. Enarle, SPIK President and Industry Co-Chair. The group met to discuss the progress achieved by the industry in line with the next step monitoring outlined.

The meeting began with a recap of past agreements to maintain momentum. The three sub-working groups gave reports on developments. Engr. Albert Samuela, SWG1 Lead, gave the progress update of Industry-Academe Collaboration being taken forward, he announced the successful deployment of ASCEND Playbook and Online Collaboration Platform that will facilitate partnership between academia and the chemicals industry.

Engr. Gretchen F. Enarle, SWG3 Lead, informed members of the work undertaken by the Ease of Doing Business sub-group, focusing on regulations such as the FDA Policy on Household Urban Hazardous Substances (HUHS), IRR on Controlled Chemicals, and other PDEA and DDB regulations through which regulatory compliance and operational efficiency are to be enhanced for industry players.

Members of the sub-working group on Responsible Care, headed by Engr. Reinier Bagabay, declared its continuing support for sustainability and responsible actions in the chemical industry.

This was followed by other agenda items presented by Ms. Geraldine Buela of BOI, such as finalization of arrangements for the Philippines to host the AMEICC Working Group on Chemical Industry in 2026, and presentation of project proposals that will need support from international mechanisms such as the Global Framework for Chemicals (GFC) and International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA). The group also discussed the Joint Administrative Order on the adoption of GHS Version 8.

The meeting ended with transcripts of the agreement and road map, underpinning a collaborative approach to driving the growth, regulatory environment, and international relationships of the Philippine chemical industry.