Mission statement

The on-going mission of AmCham is the "promotion and development of trade, commerce and industry between the United States and the Philippines, and the cultivation of friendly relations between Americans and Filipinos".

Beginnings

The year was 1797 and the place was the sixth largest city in the United States - Salem, Massachusetts. On May 22nd of that year, the first American ship returned from a nearly non-stop voyage from Manila with the first cargo of Philippine products. The vessel was the brig "Astrea" on her maiden voyage. She had sailed from Salem to Manila in 164 days and then returned in 163 days with a cargo of sugar, pepper and indigo. Now, more than 200 years later, we see the continuing growth of trade between the two countries.

AmCham, as the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines is referred to by its members, came to life in 1902 as the Manila Coffee Round Table and later as Manila Merchants Association. It was incorporated under Philippine laws in 1920 and has, since then, recognized and reconfirmed the commitment of American business to the development and welfare of the Philippines and the Filipino people. This is a commitment of long standing, as some member firms can attest -- they have been doing business in the Philippines for an average of 55 years.

A BRIEF HISTORY - Part One: 1920-1941

By Angel J.S. Solis

Early Years

The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands (ACCPI) was incorporated on July 3, 1920, "twenty-two years, two months and two days after Admiral Dewey broke down Spanish power and the work of putting the Filipino people on th maps of the world had commenced."

The first president, Captain H.L. Heath, was a planter, rancher, hemp merchant who had participated in the U.S. Army’s first Philippine expedition as a member of the 2^nd Oregon regiment. "Vigorous, straightforward, never knowing defeat, Captain Heath was the logical American to lead the American Chamber of Commerce through its early years of struggle," wrote H. Edmund Bellis, editor and business manager of the ACCP Journal in its maiden issue of June 1921.

Along with Capt. Heath, the incorporators included Wm. H. Anderson. F.A. Leas, J.S. Reis (Reese), C.M. Cotterman, H.B. Pond, P.G. Eastwick, B.A. Green, R.C. Morton, Walter E. Olsen, B.M. McCrory, Carlos Young, J.R. Wilson, F.N. Berry and R.E. Murphy.

Role and Policy

Shorthly after incorporation, Capt. Heath made the following statement, which spelled the ACCPI’s role and policy for nearly two decades, thus:

"… organized with a larger membership and a greater capital than any other American Chamber outside the homeland… it represents every phase of American business and interest in the Philippines and is taking the place of a legation to the citizens of the United States residing in the Philippine territory, irrespective of whether they are members of the organization or not.

"It proposes to be heard on every subject affecting the business or political life of the community. It proposes in all matters: first, to suggest a remedy; second, to ask for its application; third, to demand its application; and fourth, to fight for its application, if no other processes are not successful."

C.M. Cotterman succeeded Capt. Heath in 1922 and held the post for two years. Capt. Heath then took over once more and served as president for four more years. E.E. Elser became acting president in 1924 during Capt. Heath’s temporary absence. From 1928, the office of the president was held consecutively by R.E. Murphy, Geo. H. Fairchild, Paul A. Meyer and H.M. Cavender.

Meyer’s Incumbency

The longest tenure of the presidency was that of Meyer, some eight years all told. Cavender served as president for two years, 1933 and 1934.

This early, ACCPI became a member of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America (COCUSA) and contributed to the fund that erected its building in Washington. It made legal representation in Washington to obtain equity for Americans in the Philippines in their obligations under the federal internal revenue act as it related to income taxes, but representation in Washington was rather occasional than continuing.

A Trade Organization

When Paul A. Meyer became president in 1929, he gave emphasis to the business activities of the chamber and gradualy drifted away from the political affairs. Meyer headed the chamber for two periods of four years each (1929-1932 and 1935-1938), and was president more times than any of his predecessors. In 1933-1934, H.M. Cavender held the presidency.

During Meyer’s administration and again under Cavender, the chamber functioned more as a trade organization. It kep track of all national legislation affecting Philippine trade and industry and, when occasions demanded, expressed its ideas on contemplated measures. In such cases, the chamber advocated a course of action beneficial to the community at large and presented it to the proper authorities.

Gaches’s Policy

Upon his inauguration as president in February 1939, Gaches instituted immediately a policy of non-interference in political affairs and at the same time started a vigorous campaign to maintain Philippine-American trade irrespective of what the future political relations between the two countries might be. A successful and aggressive businessman, Gaches assumed "the positive and definite obligation of building up the prestige of the chamber the better to defend and foster Philippine-American trade.

Walter J. Robb, pre-war editor the ACCP Journal, writing in 1939 said: "After 19 years and inevitable ups and downs, the chamber functions in full vigor. Its repute with all communities fo the Philippines and its cordial relations with the Commonwealth and the Philippine people were never more satisfactory than they are now."

Upon his re-election for the third consecutive term in January 1941, Gaches reiterated that "… the traditional policy of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines of cooperating with Philippine merchants and the Commonwealth would be continued, the chamber dedicating its efforts to assist in every way possible the closer economic relations between the United States and the Philippines."

Addressing the Manila Rotarians in one of their weekly luncheon meetings in August 1941, Gaches significantly discussed the subject of Philippine-American cooperation, thus:

"We are fast approaching what appears to be the parting of ways. Since 1910 there has been free trade existing between the Philippines and the greatest consuming country in the world, the United States of America. This free trade has brought progress and prosperity to the Philippines, and the relationship… will be the same as that of the ‘most favored nation’…" [To be continued]

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