MANAGEMENT Association of the Philippines (MAP) president Donald Lim presented key directions the group will undertake this year.
“We captured these ideals and concretized this in our theme for 2026, Leadership in Action, Lifting the Nation. Not as a slogan, but as a commitment, a call to embody excellence, not in words, but in deeds,“ Lim said at the MAP inaugural meeting on Monday.
The first is strengthening unity and collaboration for collective impact.
“We will formalize the Partnerships Coordination Program, a platform to expand collaboration with government agencies, local government units, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector,“ Lim said.
“We aim to intensify our engagement with our Asean neighbors, like Singapore and Thailand, to join us in management excellence exchanges. This year presents a unique opportunity for the Philippines to be at the center of shaping the Asean future ... We have something valuable to contribute to regional conversations on economic innovation, digital transformation, sustainability, and governance,“ Lim added.
The second direction is future-proofing through innovation, technology and next-generation leadership.
“We will forge partnerships with technology companies, not as passive consumers of their products, but as active shapers of how technology serves Filipino leaders. As I always say, technology alone is not the answer,“ Lim said, explaining that MAP will champion transformative directions in digital adoption, ensuring that technology serves not only business growth, but also social development and the delivery and cultivation of next-generation leadership.
The third direction is taking a dynamic role in national development and Asean leadership.
“This is perhaps the most ambitious,“ Lim said, referring to the country’s hosting Asean 2026. “We will provide inputs that will help define the business agenda for Asean on trade, sustainability, and digital integration by strengthening cross-border dialogues, business missions, and partnerships. We can expand our influence and position MAP as a key contributor in the region.“
MAP will contribute to policy discussions with research, data, and the practical wisdom of professionals who understand how policy translates into practice on the ground, Lim added.
The fourth is to elevate engagement with government, “not as lobbyists seeking favors, but as partners offering solutions,“ Lim said. “MAP has always stood for management excellence. But excellence, if it remains only an aspiration, is not enough. Excellence must be lived, upheld and shared. The result must be beneficial to all.“
Elected as the 78th MAP president succeeding Alfred Panlilio, Lim helped shaped the country’s digital economy, advance national initiatives on artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, and ethical digital governance.
He was the founding president of the Blockchain Council of the Philippines, the Cybersecurity Council of the Philippines, and the Global AI Council Philippines.