From L to R: TESDA DDG Nelly Nita Dillera, DTI-IPG Usec. Ceferino Rodolfo, MAP Chairperson for Trade, Investments And Tourism Alma Rita Jimenez, DTI-ROG Asec. Grace Baluyan, DTI-CIG Asec. Leonila Baluyut, DTI-CIG Usec. Rafaelita Aldaba, DTI Sec. Alfredo Pascual, ADB Principal Knowledge Speciality (Innovation) Dr. Emiliano Bolongaita, AC Industrials Advisor to the Chairman and CEO Arthur Tan, IPOPHL AD Atty. Ginalyn Sacmar-Badiola, ASEAN Business Advisory Council PH Chair Adviser Josephine Romero, and NewsWatch Plus Executive Producer and News Presenter Lois Calderon

Pasay City, Philippines—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) proudly hosted the inaugural Tatak Pinoy Act (TPA) Forum at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on 15 July 2024. This event brought together over 300 key stakeholders from the government, diplomatic corps, international organizations, industry, and academia.

Themed “Rekindling a National Aspiration Towards Industrial Transformation,” the forum featured insightful discussions on the salient points of the Tatak Pinoy Act, key trends affecting global industrial policies, and growth prospects for various Philippine industries.

Additionally, the forum gathered local perspectives on priorities, initiatives, areas for collaboration, and the regulatory landscape. Ultimately, the goal is to transform the country’s production sectors to create more quality jobs and generate globally competitive products and services.

In his keynote speech, DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual highlighted the global preference for Filipino workers due to their skills, reliability, and dedication. “Dahil dito, tumatak na ang Pinoy sa buong mundo kaya mayroon tayong Tatak Pinoy (This is why Filipinos have made their mark worldwide, leading to the concept of ‘Tatak Pinoy’).”

“Building on this legacy, the Tatak Pinoy Act envisions extending this sterling reputation to locally made products and services. We aim to ensure that products bearing the label ‘Made in the Philippines’ will stand as symbols of quality, innovation, and sustainability,” the trade chief added

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, the incoming Department of Education Secretary and author and principal sponsor of the Tatak Pinoy Act, emphasized the need to support local industries to prevent talent migration.

“We have a robust education policy, but many of our best talents leave for abroad. If we do not help our industries thrive, then we will be educating for migration,” Senator Angara stated.

“One of the thrusts of Tatak Pinoy is to have healthy local industries producing quality products, advancing through technology, and being chosen based on evidence rather than political patronage or favoritism,” the senator added.

Reinforcing the act’s economic implications, DTI Undersecretary for the Competitiveness and Innovation Group (CIG) Rafaelita Aldaba underscored Tatak Pinoy’s objective to elevate the Philippines within the global value chain. She stressed the importance of diversifying the country’s product offerings and shift the focus on product space, complexity, and sophistication.

“We aim to position the Philippines as a leading hub for innovation and industrial development in the region, attracting global and innovative industries and creating quality jobs,” Usec. Aldaba stated.

Organized by the DTI-CIG, the TP Forum feature two comprehensive sessions. The morning session covered the key points and features of the Tatak Pinoy Act, while also examining global trends in industrial policy. In the afternoon, the discussion shifted to the growth potential of industries under the new Act. This focuses on export diversification, investment attraction, intellectual property protection, education and skills matching, technology adoption, and increased micro, small, and medium enterprises participation.

The forum generated significant collaboration and excitement around the Tatak Pinoy Act, highlighting the potential for “Made in the Philippines” to become a globally recognize mark of quality and innovation. ♦

Date of release: 18 July 2024

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