Will the implementation of “Tatak Pinoy Act” in the Province of Laguna translate to a more sustainable and inclusive economic development?
That was the main hope of businesses and officials who attended the 2nd Laguna Stakeholders Business Forum, held at the Provincial Capitol Extension Office in Calamba City last August 20.
The forum, which was organized by the Laguna Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (LEDIPO), aims to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth through collaboration of the government with the private sector.
“By working hand in hand with the private sector, we can create a future where Laguna stands as a beacon of innovation, resilience, and sustainability,” Laguna Second District Representative Ruth Mariano Hernandez said during her welcome remarks.
This sentiment was also echoed by Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez, who told stakeholders, “Ang inyong partisipasyon ay napakahalaga upang marating natin ang mas maliwanag at mas masaganang kinabukasan para sa ating lahat.”
Among those discussed were strategies for ensuring resilience in business and industry, emerging business trends and innovations, the Business CARE (Creation, Attraction, Retention, and Expansion) and the Local Governments, and perhaps the main highlight, The Philippine Creative Industry Development Act and Tatak Pinoy Act.
Creative potential
Republic Act No 11981 or the “Tatak Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) Act,” which was enacted earlier this year, and Republic Act No. 11904 or the “Philippine Creative Industries Development Act” passed in 2022, are two measures with promising potential to boost Laguna’s creative and manufacturing industry.
This is because Laguna boasts a rich creative and manufacturing sector.
“Dito sa Laguna ang creative industry ay embroidery, textile, footwear, and furniture at isa kayo sa nag contribute sa GDP (Gross Domestic Product) accounting for 7.1 percent of the total GDP. This marks a 6.9 increase from the 1.61 trillion recorded in 2022,” Department of Trade and Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Group (DTI CIG) Assistant Secretary Leonila Baluyot noted.
With programs such as the Manufacturing Resurgence Program (MRP) and the Inclusive Innovation Industrial Strategy (i3S), Laguna’s creative industry is headed to innovation.
“Marami kasing nagsasabi satin, ‘e ganito na po kasi nakasanayan namin’, kaya pag may bagong makinarya, minsan mayroong reluctance pero sa industrial policy natin, kailangan na po natin maging competitive at maging productive,” Baluyot explained.
“Kasi kung mayroon tayong ginagamit na tools or equipment, mas mapapabilis ang pagproduce natin, mas nagiging productive tayo,” she added.
Takak Pinoy
Under the atak Pinoy Act, A Tatak Pinoy Council shall be established with the Secretary of Trade and Industry as Chairperson and various involved government agencies and also private sector representatives as members.
This council will then formulate a multi-year Tatak Pinoy Strategy (TPS) which shall include plans and programs on international best practices standards organized according to the TPS Pillars including human resources, infrastructure, technology and innovation, investments, and sound financial management.
The act also provides incentives and support to businesses through government financial institutions and includes a Green Lane Processing.
“Together, ito pong mga polisiyang ito would lead to new and quality commerce, for laguna to have new and quality jobs, new economic activities, income opportunities, and higher gross domestic product,” Baluyot stressed.
(Photo by Catherine Go)
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