Gov’t to expand agency for industrialization plan

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Trade and Industry is planning to expand the Industry Development Council (IDC) to include more stakeholders such as the academe and research groups as it aggressively moves to revitalize the local manufacturing sector.

In an interview, Trade Assistant Secretary Rafaelita Aldaba disclosed that during the first meeting of the group last month, they drafted an executive order on the creation of a new IDC to add more representatives from other related sectors, compared to the old constitution of the IDC as provided by law.

The IDC, which was created during the presidency of Fidel V. Ramos, had been “dormant” for some time. The DTI, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Finance, Department of Science and Technology and the National Competitiveness Council as well as a representative from the private sector make up the IDC.

Aldaba also pointed out that while there were existing laws regarding the creation of the IDC, these were not really implemented over the past years.

Aldaba stressed the significance of the IDC and the critical role it should play in the country’s Manufacturing Resurgence Program as the group will be tasked to monitor the road map’s implementation as well as to recommend policies and programs to address the constraints to manufacturing growth and development.

The Philippines, according to Aldaba, could become a manufacturing hub as long as the government could build economies of scale to reduce costs. This will enable the Philippines to participate in the large global production networks.

“That’s why we we’re trying to establish an expanded IDC. The Department of Trade and Industry cannot do it alone. We need to coordinate across government agencies. Our new industrial policy is all about coordination across government agencies as to how we can address the constraints that are preventing new investors from coming in or moving up the value chain. We have identified these constraints. The next step is, how do we address these,” she added.

Pending the approval of the executive order, the IDC would continue to meet, according to Aldaba, with the second convention scheduled this month.

In 2012, the government decided to revive the IDC following efforts to boost the manufacturing sector’s contribution to economic growth.

Earlier that year, the DTI launched the industry road map initiative, which involves working with stakeholders to come up with plans to promote the growth of specific industries and the entire manufacturing sector. A more robust manufacturing sector is seen to contribute more to the country’s gross domestic product.