A new era in the history of Davao City unfolded when a group of local business leaders met at the Davao Beach Club in the evening of February 15, 1968 to explore the idea of organizing an active and dynamic business organization in the City. Back then, Davao’s economic progress was just beginning to bear fruits.
The dinner meeting was hosted by Edmund N. Madrazo, Leon M. Garcia Jr., and Ramon A Tirol. Upon the initiative of Teodoro Araneto who, at that time was the Vice President for Mindanao of the then Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (CCP). They brought with them the proposed Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the envisioned Chamber.
After a few days, the corporate papers were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and were later approved. This gave birth to the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. – the sole and the strongest voice of the business community in Davao City.
Forever to be remembered in its history were those present at the historic meeting who formed the core group and charter members of Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII). They were Vicente Ang Chok, Ruben E. Angeles, Francisco Ma. Basilio, Juan G. Bosquit, Honesto A. Cabarroguis, Jose B. Custodio, Ricardo B. Garrido, Honoria S. Hilario, Celso L. Navales, Carlos Puentespina, Rodolfo P. Del Rosario, Jose C. Sevilla, Ramon A. Tirol, Ernesto Fadullon, Cesar Leonardo, and Mariano Pantaleon.
The first batch of officers had Ramon A. Tirol as President, Leon M. Garcia Jr. as Vice President, Honesto A. Cabarroguis as Secretary, Jose C. Sevilla as Treasurer, Jose B. Custodio as PRO, and Juan Bosquit, Honoria S. Hilario, Edmundo N. Madrazo and Rodolfo P. Del Rosario as Directors.
On May 11, 1968, the Charter Officers were inducted into office in a grand ceremony held at the Davao Insular Hotel during which the DCCCll’s Charter of Affiliation with the CCP was also presented.
The organization had 61 pioneer members, a 100 percent Filipino membership from the ranks of the city’s leading businessmen, traders, industrialists, and agriculturists.
Since then, it has been an upward trend for the Davao City Chamber, as its membership grew by leaps and bounds, keeping up with the unrelenting socio-political-economic growth of the city.
Today, with around 300 businessmen and firms as members, the Davao City Chamber’s potent and crucial role in the economic growth and development in the city is more evident than ever.
