Sol Magtuto: First Woman President of Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry
MARIA SOLEDAD VILLAFUERTE MAGTUTO or more dearly known as SOL V. MAGTUTO is elected as the new president of the CAMARINES SUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, INC. (CSCCI) – the first female to hold the position in the organisation’s 19 years of existence.
The owner/proprietor of SOLEDAD RESTAURANT, who specializes on serving Spanish, Filipino and Bicolano comfort foods, has assiduously served as Director of the CSCCI from 2002 up to 2020. The CSCCI is a stronghold of around 200 dynamic businessmen and professionals from various industries across the province, including both Naga City and Iriga City.
Mam Sol, as she is fondly called, was elected unanimously as President at the business chamber’s General Membership Meeting (GMM) held last September 2020, thereby replacing Engr. Alexander B. Gaite, who held the position for its 18th year.
‘It is a very tough role to become the first female president of the Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry as the whole of the Bicol business community grapples with the Covid 19 pandemic. We are so much affected by the commercial limitations set by this pandemic. I am overwhelmed yet, very much challenged for I know that my past leadership experiences in both private and civilian organizations have prepared me well enough for this demanding position,” the lady president said.
As a premier and active chamber in the Bicol Region, the CSCCI continues to play an extensively significant role in the region’s business community. It represents voice and action across all industries and sectors in relation to the present issues and opportunities influencing good and innovative business in the region.
“I am pressed by what I can do to move CSCCI to become game changers in the business community as a crucial response to the effects of the global coronavirus pandemic. The micro, small and medium scale enterprises need our utmost help and support. They should be guided and assisted.”
President Sol V. Magtuto will not be shaken by this undertaking. As an experienced entrepreneur, she knows how to help the small businesspersons as they face loss of income, fading opportunities, and financing. The new CSCCI President has a solid twenty years of entrepreneurial experience. Since 1992, she has been the owner and operator of a garment company, a wholesaler and retailer of meat and poultry products and as a lender – investor for MSMEs.
She also possesses senior executive experiences of almost 15 years. President Sol is adept with sales, marketing, customer care, and operations management, having been the Regional Leasing Manager of SM Supper Malls (covering SM City Batangas, SM City Lipa, SM City Lucena and SM City Naga) and the Assistant Vice President for Commercial Operations of Digital Telecommunications Philippines Inc. (DIGITEL) for the Bicol Region. She was also the Subscriber Line Installation & Repair Contractor for Innove in Quezon Province in 2016 and the Home Distributor of PLDT in Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte and Channel Partner of Enterprise Bicol Region from 2018 up to present.
“I want to continue the programs that I have worked on at the Cam Sur Business Expo.” This trade fair is a 5-month long venue of opportunities for MSMEs, LGUs, young entrepreneurs, producers & service providers, national & international manufacturers. This event abounds with exhibits, trade fairs, seminars, and workshops to promote different products and services and boost business exchanges and deals.
President Sol Magtuto can manoeuvre the CSCCI during this pandemic as she has held vital positions in the Chamber. She was a Member of the Board of Trustee in 2018, the VP Chamber Relations in 2019 and the Executive Vice President in 2020.
Past President Hoover Picar, who worked with President Sol during several programs, said that he is very confident of the outcomes of this year’s Cam Sur Business Expo under Magtuto’s fine leadership. “Sol actually chaired the Cam Sur Business Expo in 2018. She was the first chairperson for the different trade events such as the Food and Beverage Expo (FABEX), Bicol Agri Summit, Regional Youth Entrepreneurial Summit (RYEC), Game Fowl, etc.” She engineered the trade expo in a matter of 30 days.”
Sol Magtuto will continue the Cam Sur Business Expo under her term and she will certainly promote MSMEs. Likewise, the new woman president aims to uplift the role of women in entrepreneurship and beyond. “I want to echo the female voices of business in the Cam Sur province,” she reiterates. “My flagship project is called the “Women in Business” which recognizes women as leaders in business. I aspire to be a role model and a representative for them. Under my helm, the CSCCI will nourish their unique contribution in the workforce. I want to provide them with programs and services, networking opportunities, and business education to enhance their professional and personal goals.”
From a distinguished family of political leaders, President Magtuto has an ardent heart for civic service. She is an institution in both the Rotary Club of Naga and in the Junior Chamber International (JCI). For more than two decades, these socio-civic organizations are her ways of life. She constantly support their projects in all ways she could.
Mam Sol was the Youngest JCI 1997 Local Organization President of JCI Naga Carinosa. After a year, she became the Southern Luzon Area Conference Director and was consistently elected in top positions. She became the National Vice President for Bicol and Southern Luzon Area Conference Director in 1998 and the National Treasurer in 2001. After 5 years, she achieved the second highest elected position in JCI – the National Senor Executive Vice President. In 2007, she headed the Search Committee for the Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines. She remains to be the well-loved JCI Senator in Bicol. Her astounding civic leadership has also been recognized worldwide through her post as the New Zealand Councilor.
President Sol is the youngest of the seven children of Ernesto and Pura Luisa Magtuto. She has 4 brothers and 2 sisters. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts, Major in Behavioral Sciences, Minor in Psychology. She is a distinguished alumna of the DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY.
On January 28, 2021, Sol Magtuto will be charged as the 10th President of the CSCCI along with Executive Vice President Maria Emma F. Llorin, VP for Membership Kristan Carl E. Malazarte, VP for Finance Ramon L. Dy, VP for Inter-chamber Relation Michelle T. Lim, VP for Public Relations Abelardo M. Paglinawan, Jr., Board Secretary Maria Isabel L. Concepcion, Treasurer Jennifer O. Harris, Auditor Maricel Ann M. Brioso, and Board Members, Cynthia P. Arce, Erline N. Canada, Jerry A. Ilarde, Ricardo V. Magtuto, Jose L. Namoro, Rolando V. Salazar, and Executive Director Anabelle D. Tuy. This special induction and oath-taking will take place with the induction and charging of the Chamber’s new members as well. This event is hosted at the Doña Dolores Convention Center 2 & 3, Victoria Building of the Villa Caceres Hotel, Magsaysay Ave., Naga City at exactly 6:00P.M.
