On October 16, the Industrial Engineering Program and the Society of Industrial Engineers (SInE) of the University of Asia and the Pacific co-organized a forum titled “Supply Chain Integration and Collaboration in the Philippines.” The event aimed to connect students and professionals by discussing trends, challenges, and new ideas in the supply chain industry.
The forum focused on the important roles of integration, collaboration, and coordination in improving supply chain efficiency and resilience. Speakers from Locad, the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines, Jollibee Foods Corporation, and ARC Technology Solutions shared valuable insights, creating a lively discussion about the challenges and opportunities in the sector. The event was held in partnership with its major sponsors FAST Logistics and Homeroom Co-Working and Study Lounge.
The program began with an opening prayer led by SInE Vice President Ammiel Louis Marcella, followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem. The dean of the School of Sciences and Engineering, Dr. Noemi B. Torre, delivered a welcoming remark. Dr. Varsolo Sunio, Program Director of BS Industrial Engineering, then introduced the forum. Ms. Nicole Maniego then presented the speakers who were invited by SInE to give insights into their industries and share their knowledge.
Mr. Ray Caguin, Country Director of Locad for the Philippines and Thailand, discussed Locad’s role in developing the supply chain infrastructure for modern e-commerce. He highlighted the need to redesign traditional, linear supply chains through omnichannel inventory integration, especially as e-commerce and other dynamic sales channels expand. He explained how Locad supports e-commerce businesses with on-demand fulfillment and seamless logistics.
Mr. Henrik Batallones, Marketing and Communications Director of Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP) and Editor-in-Chief of Supply Chain Philippines, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to address critical supply chain challenges. He outlined SCMAP’s initiatives to foster collaboration and presented opportunities for shared logistics arrangements.
Mr. Nilo Siongco, Vice President and Head of Manufacturing at Jollibee Foods Corporation, spoke about the importance of supply chain agility in delivering competitive value, service, and quality. He described how Jollibee achieves integration and collaboration through its Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process, a strategic approach to aligning sales, production, and inventory with overall business goals, supported by cross-functional teams.
Mr. Anton Tyrone Rodriguez, President & CEO of ARC Technology Solutions Inc., presented “From Chaos to Control: Solving Supply Chain Problems through Technology.” He shared a case study on transforming a client’s operations using a cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning system, which helped resolve significant issues in inventory, manufacturing, sales, and reporting.
Following the presentations, a panel discussion was facilitated by Ally Restificar and Princess Nicole Lim, MSc Management students of UA&P. The discussion allowed the panelists to share actionable insights and career advice, responding to student queries about navigating the logistics and supply chain industry.
