TI Secretary Cristina A. Roque delivering her speech at the CREATE MORE Forum, with event branding and a backdrop displaying the forum details.
DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque during her speech at the CREATE MORE Forum

Makati City, Philippines—Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina A. Roque underscored the transformative role of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) law in strengthening the Philippines’ manufacturing sector. During a high-level forum on March 28, Secretary Roque emphasized the law’s expanded scope, aiming to extend its benefits not only for the investors, but also for our local industries and the Filipino workers.

“We believe that a strong manufacturing sector is non-negotiable for national development. It drives exports, builds supply chains, and uplifts communities. Through Tatak Pinoy, we are raising the standards of Philippine-made goods—making them globally competitive, proudly Filipino, and future-ready,” the trade chief said.

The CREATE MORE law enhances tax incentives such as deductions, value -added tax zero-rating, and targeted support for key industries. These measures empower businesses to expand operations, modernize facilities, and invest in their workforce, technological advancement, and long-term growth.

“To our private sector partners: you are not merely stakeholders; you are co-architects of our industrial future. We urge you to engage actively with the DTI’s Board of Investments (BOI) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to leverage CREATE MORE for your businesses,” the trade chief added.

This legislation offers vital incentives to companies seeking to increase capacity, automate production, explore new export markets, or build greener facilities. Apart from capital investments, the CREATE MORE also incentivizes reinvestment within the Philippines through workforce upskilling and the localization of supply chains.

Moreover, the DTI secretary called for stronger collaboration between the government and industry associations to identify and address challenges and policy gaps. This collaboration will refine implementation, clarify guidelines, and ensure the law’s accessibility for all businesses, from large corporations to regional manufacturers.

In closing, Secretary Roque reaffirmed the government’s proactive stance in fostering transformative partnerships within President Marcos Jr.’s “Bagong Pilipinas” framework. This signals a shift from transactional policymaking to creating more jobs, world-class Filipino-made products, innovation, resilient value chains, and national pride in the country’s industries.

The forum was attended by prominent industry leaders, including Special Assistant to the President Frederick Go, SGV Chairman Wilson Tan, Mr. Bobby Batungbacal, Dr. Rafaelita Aldaba, the Philippine Manufacturing Team represented by Mr. Fabian Delos Santos, and esteemed industry panelists. ♦

Date of Release: 31 March 2025

Related posts:

A group photo shows Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina A. Roque and several staff members, including DTI Assistant Secretaries Chua and Layug, and DTI-PTIC Tokyo STR Dita Angara-Mathay, posed with Japanese business representatives including Mr. Shinji Fukami, Senior General Manager of International Business Division, Mr. Masao Osumi, General Manager, and Ms. Narumi Saito & Mr. Hidetaka Yamanokuchi from the International Business Division. They stand in a room with a gold folding screen backdrop. In front of them on the table are cups of coffee and refreshments.DTI Chief: Taiheiyo Cement eyes major expansion investments into PH infra A group of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Jollibee Foods Corporation representatives are in a conference room, holding Jollibee Funko Pop figures. They are posing for a photo during a partnership event with the Philippine flag and the DTI logo in the background, and Jollibee mascot standing with them.DTI, Jollibee team up to champion sustainable consumer habits DTI OTOP Philippines store sign for Cagayan Valley, next to framed map of Cagayan province.DTI opens 8th OTOP Philippines store in Cagayan Valley The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) delegation with Fiuu, a payment solutions company. Foreign Trade Service Corps champions technology advancement at the 2025 Game Development Summit  DTI brings OTOP to SM City Dasmariñas, expands market for local businesses A group photo of eight individuals: four Japanese representatives and four Philippine trade officials. From left to right, they are are Mr. Yohei Kurisu, Mr. Shigeo Fukuda, Mr. Satoru Wachi, Mr. Shuichiro Ikemoto, DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque, Special Trade Representative Dita Angara-Mathay, DTI Assistant Secretary Englebert Josef Chua, and DTI Assistant Secretary May Niña Celynne Layug.PH forges green growth partnerships with Sumitomo, Fujifilm, and Chodai in Tokyo Group photo of Philippine and Japanese officials at Etoile Kaito & Co., Inc. DTI Secretary Roque is in the center.DTI establishes key trade partnerships with Japanese fashion and lifestyle giants At a busy market in SOCCSKSARGEN, Philippines, two officials from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) monitor rice prices. One official in a white uniform shirt and ID badge holds a clipboard looking at it, while the other official in a white shirt stands nearby, observing a vendor in a yellow shirt. who is using an analog scale to weigh rice.DTI conducts simultaneous price monitoring for imported rice in SOCCSKSARGEN