P183B earmarked for manufacturing sector plan

MANILA, Philippines-The Philippine government has allocated about P183 billion for the country’s Manufacturing Resurgence Program, which seeks to help local enterprises deepen their participation in the regional and global value chains and ensure sustainable and inclusive growth across all sectors.

Trade Assistant Secretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba said in a forum Thursday that the earmarked amount would help boost and sustain the competitiveness of the local manufacturing industry, which was targeted to become a significant engine of growth for the economy.

To boost manufacturing competitiveness, according to Aldaba, adequate research on and development of innovative technologies; cleaner production process; efficient use of materials, water, power; reduction of impact on the environment, and compliance with global health and environment standards should be ensured.

These prompted the Department of Trade and Industry to push for the integration of green economic development (GED) concepts in the different industry road maps. The DTI move is aimed at creating climate-smart, environment-friendly, and globally competitive manufacturing industries in the Philippines.

The DTI and the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zumsammenarbeit (GIZ) collaborated last year for this initiative, which was called “Greening the Industry Road maps.” Under this initiative, Bernd Gutterer, an international consultant commissioned by GIZ to the Philippines, fielded two missions to the Philippines.

The first mission was sent in July 2014 for initial consultations with various industry associations and stakeholders to assess their awareness on GED concepts.

The second mission was sent in November 2014 when discussions were held with representatives from six priority industries namely, automotive; pulp and paper; plastics; copper; furniture; and mass housing. The discussions were conducted to determine how green elements could be integrated in their respective road maps.

Speaking in the same forum Thursday, German Ambassador Thomas Ossowski urged the DTI to convince existing enterprises to invest in GED concepts; invite more foreign firms to look into the opportunities provided by such developments; and to promote and support the start-ups and the small and medium sized enterprises engaged in the “green sector.”

Trade Undersecretary Adrian S. Cristobal noted that although the move toward a greener road map was not mandatory, more companies were taking stock of the significance of investing in initiatives that would help reduce the carbon footprint of their respective operations.

Cristobal pointed out that more than the fact that this was a growing “trend” worldwide, going green would help local exporters, in particular, address the various stringent requirements and standards imposed by key strategic markets, such as Europe. In a way, exporters will be able to address the possible non-tariff barriers if they embark on measures geared toward green development.

Gutterer, meanwhile, added that “green” should be an integral part of the modernization strategies of the Philippine industry” because having good business practices will enable companies to become an integral part of global business relations. Green economic development also strengthens competitiveness of the Philippine industries; make them resilient to climate change impact; and enable them to respond to developments within the society.