The Philippine semiconductor and electronics sector has charted a grand roadmap toward becoming a $110 billion industry employing 128,000 additional workers by 2030.
The industry already forms a critical pillar of the Philippine economy, currently employing about 300,000 direct workers.
The ripple effect of its operations supports an estimated 2.8 million indirect jobs, underscoring the sector’s widespread economic impact.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Semiconductor and Electronics Industry Advisory Council (SEIAC) confirmed the details of the roadmap following its inaugural meeting at Malacañang Palace on Monday.
The comprehensive strategy of the plan, spearheaded by the newly established SEIAC, outlines a clear division of growth: $70 billion from semiconductor packaging, $40 billion from electronics assembly, and a significant contribution from globally recognized integrated IC design services.
The council convened to strategize pathways toward “making the Philippines a consistent and reliable global partner, packaging $70 billion (worth of) semiconductors, assembling $40 billion of electronics (ATP), and providing globally recognized integrated circuit (IC) design services by 2030.”
The realization of this vision is projected to create an additional 128,000 direct employment opportunities by the decade’s end, providing a substantial boost to the nation’s workforce, it said.
In a separate message to reporters, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it will release the roadmap once finalized.
Ease of doing business
SEIAC chair Frederick Go said the council will focus on the ease of doing business for electronics assembly companies, and the test and packaging sector, which is a key competitive strength of the industry.
Go, who is also special assistant to the president for investment and economic affairs, said the council aims to develop a talent pool for IC design.
Three-pronged development thrust
SEIAC said the council recognizes the importance of working closely with the education sector, specifically with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
This close coordination with the education sector is expected to ensure proper training, reskilling and upskilling of Filipinos that will grow the IC design sector and strengthen the ATP, as well as the electronics manufacturing services segment.
Three-pronged development thrust SEIAC said it will also approve three technical working groups focused on investment and business environment, talent development and education, and infrastructure and cluster development.
These groups will be headed by government agencies such as the DTI, TESDA and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, along with industry and academic representatives.
The council endorsed a private sector representative nominee, pending presidential appointment, to ensure active private sector involvement.
“The SEI Advisory Council aims to address the problems, issues and concerns of industry players and find solutions for these,” Go said.
Established under Administrative Order No. 31, which was signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on March 28 this year, the SEIAC is the principal advisory body of the semiconductor and electronics industry.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed electronics exports fell 6.38 percent in 2024 to $42.74 billion from $45.65 billion in 2023. The sector accounted for 58 percent of last year’s total merchandise exports valued at $73.21 billion.
The Semiconductor and Electronics Industries of the Philippines Foundation Inc. describes the industry as 73 percent semiconductor manufacturing services and 27 percent electronics manufacturing services.
