Automotive industry veteran Jose Maria “Jing” Atienza has assumed the presidency of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI), which represents 29 automotive manufacturers and accounting for 95 percent of total domestic auto sales, at a time marked by market uncertainty, rapid mobility technology shifts, and the entry of new industry players.
Mr. Atienza, who concurrently serves as executive vice-president of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), succeeds Atty. Rommel Gutierrez, also a TMP executive, who led CAMPI for 14 years while serving full time as TMP first vice-president for corporate affairs.
Atty. Rommel, grateful for the opportunity to have served CAMPI, said in his farewell speech, “A lot of the most wonderful people I have met in my entire professional life are in this room. You have all been mentors, advocates, supporters and friends.” He is already on his way to become a full time farmer, while pursuing his lawyering career on the side.
With 35 years of experience in the automotive industry—most of which were spent in the TMP marketing organization—Mr. Atienza brings extensive industry knowledge and leadership experience to the role.
During the CAMPI presidency turnover ceremony, Mr. Atienza outlined four strategic pillars supporting the organization’s renewed vision of fostering mobility transition in the Philippines.
These four co-equal pillars are: (1) Technology and Innovation, (2) Vehicle and Road Safety, (3) Industry Development, and (4) Sustainability.
Among these, industry development is viewed as particularly critical for the Philippines, as it aims to strengthen and sustain the country’s emerging automotive manufacturing base.
Mr. Atienza underscored the importance of government-backed programs such as the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) Program, the Revitalizing the Automotive Industry for Competitiveness Enhancement (RACE) Program, and the Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS), describing them as key drivers of industry recovery and long-term growth.
While the government has committed to fulfilling its obligations under the CARS Program, implementation of the RACE and EVIS programs—intended to provide continuity beyond CARS—remains pending. Industry associations, including CAMPI, continue to advocate for the rollout of these initiatives to ensure sustained support for the local automotive sector.
Beyond policy advocacy, CAMPI also plans to expand its efforts in human capital development to help build a resilient, innovative, and productive workforce.
The organization reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) through the CAMPI Experts Panel, contributing to the development of training regulations and competency assessment tools.
‘We are also studying the possibility of supporting the Industrial Arts Technical-Vocational Track of the Department Education, expanding our workforce development initiatives to secondary education,” Mr. Atienza announced.
“I am looking forward to: sustaining current and forging new partnerships to help realize CAMPI’s vision, creating new opportunities for CAMPI members and our parts supplier, demonstrating through concrete actions the value that CAMPI brings to industry and its various stakeholders as a partner for growth.
In line with this agenda, Mr. Atienza also offered CAMPI’s collective expertise to support policy formulation, the development of regulatory and enforcement frameworks, and other initiatives related to the country’s mobility transition.
