Philippine industry stalwart Donald Gochioco Dee succumbed to cancer Saturday. He was 72.
As a leader, Dee championed the domestic industries, balancing the interests of employers and labor.
“Donald is a strong advocate for Philippine industries and served us for decades,” said his good friend Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., president of the Philippine Exporters Confederation of the Philippines.
Dee started in the garments manufacturing sector where he nurtured the industry’s growth when he served as chairman of the Confederation of Garment Exporters of the Philippines.
His industry advocacies became even more prominent when he joined and served as president of the country’s largest business organization Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
Employers Confederation of the Philippines, and Philippine Exporters Confederation, among others.
Dee served these associations up the very end. “He was still working even when he was already sick,”said Ortiz-Luiz.
Dee served once again as ECOP president until his death. (Bernie Cahiles Magkilat)