ECOP president Donald Dee dies at 72

MANILA, Philippines — Business leader Donald Dee died on Saturday at the age of 72 after battling colon cancer.

In a statement, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) said it mourns the passing of its president. 

Dee is survived by his wife, three children, and four stepchildren. 

“The business community lost a passionate champion and leader, a stalwart in the industry, and a staunch advocate of and for employers,” the ECOP said. 

Apart from ECOP, Dee has also actively served in different leading business organizations in the country. 

Dee also served as honorary chairman and chief operating officer of the country’s biggest business group, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 

He was founding trustee of the Philippine Business for Education, and a former council member of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Business Advisory Council-Philippines.

Dee also served as special envoy for trade negotiations under the administration of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. 

As a business figure, Dee held key posts in different firms.

Dee was president of Phoenix Resource and Management Corp., director of the Manila Exposition Complex Inc., president of Pan Pacific Airways, and director of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.

He was also a member of the Beachheads – South East Asia New Zealand Trade & Enterprise.

Dee’s other affiliations included chairman of the Confederation of Garments Exporters of the Philippines Inc., vice chairman of the Philippine Exporters Confederation, member of the executive committee of the Export Development Council and a co-champion of the National Competitiveness Council for education and human resource.

He also served as commissioner of the Social Security System in 2001 to 2010.