CEBU CITY, CEBU – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) successfully launched its first Tatak Pinoy Act (TPA) Regional Forum on August 08-09, 2024, at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel in Cebu City.

Organized by DTI Region 7 Central Visayas in collaboration with the DTI’s   Competitiveness and Innovation Group, this landmark event marked the beginning of a series of regional forums designed to advance the implementation of the Tatak Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) Act and foster a deeper understanding and active engagement among regional stakeholders.

The Visayas leg of the forum brought together a diverse group of participants, including government officials, private sector leaders, industry associations, academic institutions, and representatives from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Under the theme “Rekindling a National Aspiration Towards Industrial Transformation,” the forum highlighted the collaborative efforts necessary to achieve the goals of the TPA and drive the nation’s industrial and economic advancement.

In Photo: DTI 7 Regional Director Maria Elena C. Arbon

“The discussions and feedback from this forum are crucial in shaping the Tatak Pinoy Strategy (TPS). Our collective efforts will ensure that this policy meets the needs of our industries and contributes to a more resilient Philippine economy,” stated DTI Region 7 Director Maria Elena C. Arbon during her opening remarks. Director Arbon also provided an overview of the current state of Central Visayas’ local industries, highlighting priority sectors such as electronics, IT-BPM, creative designs, digital creatives, and agri-business.

The one-and-a-half-day forum featured a series of plenary sessions, including key presentations and panel discussions with influential public and private stakeholders. These sessions focused on strategic approaches to regional industrial development, enhancing competitiveness, and harnessing digitalization to boost productivity and innovation within MSMEs.

Distinguished speakers, including top DTI officials and industry experts, delivered insightful presentations on various facets of industrial transformation. DTI-Competitiveness and Innovation Group (CIG) Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba, presented the Philippine Industrial Policy, where she detailed the salient features of the Tatak Pinoy Act. She emphasized its central aim to enhance Philippine industries’ productivity and global competitiveness, diversify the country’s product offerings, increase the production of high-quality, complex goods, and elevate the Philippines’ position within the global value chain.  

In Photo: DTI CIG Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba

Undersecretary Aldaba provided a thorough overview of the legislation’s core components and its anticipated economic impact, stressing the critical need for a cohesive strategy that engages both government and private sectors to ensure the successful implementation of the TPA.

Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) Director General Rowel Barba also graced the event to present various ideas in promoting the Tatak Pinoy Brand through IP.

In Photo: Paulo Uy, IT-BPM Sector Representative

Interactive workshops and sessions were held for participants from the identified priority sectors, offering practical tools and knowledge for implementing the TPA. These sessions concentrated on improving business processes, elevating product quality, and expanding market reach for local industries.

Key feedback was provided by partner National Government Agencies (NGAs), including the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Agriculture (DA), Board of Investments (BOI), along with the private sector partner, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

In Photo (from left) DTI 7 Regional Director Maria Elena C. Arbon, DTI CIG Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba, and DTI 7 Asst. Regional Director Esperanza Melgar

“The forthcoming Tatak Pinoy Strategy (TPS) will be our country’s first-ever industrial policy institutionalized through law, and the insights gathered today will be integral to its formulation,” said DTI Region 7 Assistant Director Esperanza Melgar, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder contributions to the policy-making process.

Building on the success of the Visayas forum, the DTI-CIG Bureau of Policy Research and Innovation (BPRI) and the Tatak Pinoy Strategy Program Management Office (TPS-PMO) are set to conduct additional regional forums in Baguio for Luzon and Davao City for Mindanao. These forums aim to ensure that the principles and benefits of the Tatak Pinoy Act resonate across all regions and local communities, promoting a cohesive and inclusive approach to national industrial development.

The Tatak Pinoy Act, formally known as Republic Act No. 11981, was signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on February 26, 2024. This landmark legislation is a testament to the government’s commitment to fostering national pride and supporting the growth of Filipino industries. The TPA seeks to enhance the competitiveness of local businesses, drive innovation, and secure sustainable economic growth through coordinated efforts between the government, private sector, and other key stakeholders. ♦

Date of release: 12 August 2024

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