Stakeholders launch FIRE project in bid to boost PHL’S export competitiveness

STAKEHOLDERS of the export industry have launched a project that aims to enable exporters utilize game-changing technologies to enhance their competitiveness especially as they adapt to the “new normal” amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sergio Ortiz-luis Jr., president of the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport), said The Road to FIRE (Fourth Industrial Revolution) project, which the group conceptualized early this year, hopes to serve as a platform to help advocate to and shepherd interested Philexport members to leverage on technology for business growth.

“For this reason and consistent with the strategies and targets in the Philippine Export Development Plan, we intend to bring this advocacy to the next level with the implementation of The Road to FIRE project,” Ortiz-luis said. He said the pandemic highlighted more the significance of implementing the project, underscoring the need to use technology to crisis-proof businesses in the future. Ortizluis signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the launch of the The Road to FIRE project with the Departments of Trade and Industry, Science and Technology, Labor and Employment, and the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) during the third of the three-part general membership meeting of Philexport.

Science Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said the Covid-19 crisis has changed the way tasks and businesses are being carried on, as more people go online amid the restrictions on mobility.

“Unfortunately, this change in our reality affected so many people especially our MSMES [micro, small and medium enterprises] who are not yet ready to go digital,” he said. “So a lot of our local MSMES have been affected in terms of operations during this crisis. And this is exactly what we are trying to address here, we want our MSMES to be Fire-ready so that they can easily cope when a crisis such as this occurs.”

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the MOU signing for The Road to FIRE project highlighted their goal to promote “gainful employment” and develop their human resources by sharing expertise and knowledge on various undertakings related with the transition of the MSMES toward the digital economy.

“The transition to the digital economy is inevitable. This pandemic showed us our MSMES that adapted new technologies were able to sustain operations and survive the impact of disruptions in the economy,” he said.

“This should therefore be considered, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, as an opportunity to revolutionize our workplaces and implement structural changes. While this may entail a very difficult transition, our joint collaboration will surely help in providing guidance for MSMES toward the successful transition,” he added.

Trade Undersecretary Bles Lantayona said the Regional Operations Group of the DTI supports the various agenda on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0, by implementing several programs to transform MSMES into more innovative and competitive enterprises. “Our 1,130 Negosyo Centers all over the country can be an information hub for industry 4.0 technologies. Our Negosyo Centers can set up business clinics to promote adoption and linkage with the technology providers. While the support is not much, it will help our MSMES slowly get back to business while recalibrating its entry as the economy gets back to normal,” she said.

Lantayona added the Kapatid Mentor ME program, together with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship’s Go Negosyo, will look into the possibility of including modules on the Fourth Industrial Revolution. “Through the KMME program, we want to be able to reach more MSMES to become smarter entrepreneurs. With the current pandemic, KMME program will continue by embracing the digital world where coaching and mentoring sessions are already conducted online,” she added.