Thus, the IBP has realized that its nationwide network can be further maximized by enabling it to provide efficient and effective dispute resolution services with the help of its various regions and chapters. When parties submit their disputes to arbitration, the arbitration filings can be made and the arbitration proceedings commenced, conducted and completed, in the same town or province where they reside or have their places of business. If the parties reside or have their places of business in different geographic locations, they would have the ability to choose a location or venue that is accessible, convenient or acceptable to them. While one of the advantages of arbitration is that it can be conducted anywhere, the availability of physical facilities and a competent secretariat to assist the parties is nevertheless very much desirable.

Likewise, mindful of its fundamental mandate to elevate the standards of the legal profession and to improve the administration of justice in the country, and realizing that its nationwide network can be further maximized for purposes of providing efficient and effective dispute resolution services with the help of its various regions and chapters, the 23rd IBP Board of Governors established the PICCR, a non-stock, non-profit arbitral institution that will provide commercial arbitration and other ADR services and facilities for parties to disputes, and create opportunities for professional training, development, and accreditation for advocates and practitioners. By establishing the PICCR, the IBP hopes to make arbitration a mainstream option for dispute resolution, make it more accessible, and realize the potentials of arbitration and other ADR mechanisms in the Philippines. 

In line with the vision of the IBP, the PICCR will promote the use of arbitration by providing arbitration-related facilities, administrative, and case-management services at par with those of international arbitral institutions, as well as high-quality education and training for interested arbitrators and intensive promotional and marketing events, particularly during IBP events. 

Arbitration-related facilities, administrative and case management services. The PICCR will administer arbitrations and other modes of dispute resolution in order to resolve and settle disputes, whether international or domestic, between parties, whether foreign or local. As an arbitration and ADR center, it will strive to make arbitration and ADR a mainstream option for dispute resolution and seek to ensure that cost-effective and efficient commercial arbitration and other ADR services are available to parties who find themselves involved in a dispute. With this objective, the PICCR will utilize the IBP’s nationwide network to make arbitration and other ADR mechanisms more accessible in the Philippines and through which the IBP also hopes to offer and make available cost-effective and efficient commercial arbitration and other ADR services to parties who find themselves involved in a dispute.

To achieve its goals, the PICCR has formulated a set of arbitration rules that incorporates the best practices of international commercial arbitration, as developed by world-renowned institutions, and include provisions on Multiple Parties, Multiple Contracts, Joinder, Consolidation, Early Dismissal, Emergency Arbitration, and Expedited Procedure. It also has formulated a set of guidelines on and schedule of arbitrators’ fees, including the center’s administrative fees.   

In addition to the facilities of the IBP's regions and chapters, the PICCR will have its headquarters at the IBP main office in Ortigas, Metro Manila. The PICCR is envisioned to have several hearing and breakout rooms available to parties. The hearing rooms vary in sizes. It will have quality IT equipment that are necessary for the efficient conduct of arbitral proceedings.

Education and Training. The PICCR will provide intensive training courses for interested arbitration and ADR practitioners with the objective of making the Philippines a competitive hub for arbitration and ADR in the region. It will conduct workshops and assessment exercises for those who wish to be trained in arbitration and ADR. The center is in its early stage of selecting qualified individuals to join a panel of trainers for its courses.

In line with this, the PICCR will hold Accreditation Course consisting of 3 Modules, as follows: (a) Module 1 on Fundamentals of Commercial Arbitration; (b) Module 2 on the PICCR Arbitration Rules; and (c) Module 3 on Writing Arbitral Awards. Participants will undergo assessment during each of these modules and for the purpose of qualifying them for the ensuing, subsequent modules. The PICCR's Accreditation Course seeks to ensure that accredited arbitrators will have the necessary knowledge, skills, and expertise to be effective and proficient arbitrators and/or ADR practitioners.

Promotion of Arbitration and ADR. The PICCR will vigorously promote the use of arbitration and other ADR mechanisms and the use of its services and facilities. For this purpose, the PICCR will regularly collaborate with and participate in IBP activities and events as well as tap the IBP’s resources and network nationwide to promote or facilitate the use of arbitration and other modes of alternative dispute resolution.