INDUSTRY BUILDING

The most highlighted petition was for policies to bolster local industries. But groups offered different means to accomplish this, either through drafting master plans or “buy local” laws.

“All government agencies should buy locally produced goods because that is one way of giving back to the people,” FPI President Jesus L. Arranza reiterated in a phone interview.

The Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. ( CAMPI) and the Steel Angles Shapes & Section Manufacturers Association of the Philippines, Inc. similarly called for policies that would require buyers to patronize their members’ wares.

CAMPI and other groups went on to say road maps must be drafted to ensure trade and investment policies are consistent in prioritizing certain industries.

“A road map that would perhaps pave the way for a serious attempt for the Philippines to be a hub for future alternative vehicles [is needed]. This would create many jobs especially with the long value chain inherent to the automotive industry,” CAMPI President Elizabeth H. Lee said in a phone interview.

Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines President Ernesto M. Ordoñez also called for a “national industrial plan” to stitch together tariff reduction schedules and antismuggling efforts.

Federation of Filipino- Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. ( FFCCCII) President Alfonso A. Uy, for his part, added the agriculture sector should also be developed aside from heavy industries.

But for European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. ( ECCP) Executive VicePresident Henry J. Schumacher, the “big winners” should be the business process outsourcing, creative industries, infrastructure and logistics, manufacturing and tourism sectors.

The Board of Investments is mulling a revision of the Motor Vehicle Development Plan, earlier reports show, while there is a move in the House of Representatives to draft a broad industrialization plan.

Garments exporters, meanwhile, are also keen on propping up their industry. They are banking on continued government work on a deal with the US allowing exports to enter duty-free as long as American- spun textiles are used.

“Our wish would be... that the RP- US sectoral preferential agreement on garments and textiles be [ completed] by the Philippine government and the US government. The department of Trade is working on it on a tight schedule,” Confederation of Garment Exporters of the Philippines Executive Director Teresita Jocson- Agoncillo said in an interview.

POWER RATES AND PROMOTIONS

Another common plea was for reduced electricity rates, which is claimed to make up a large component of production costs. Groups mostly pointed to the passage of Senate Bills 3148 and 3147 (Electricity Rate Reduction Act of 2009 and Uniform Franchise Tax Measure, respectively) to do this.