The government and the private sector have kicked off discussions on a roadmap for the electronics-semiconductor manufacturing services industry, a priority thrust of the Marcos administration that shows strong potential for driving economic growth.
Tereso Panga, director-general of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said yesterday the Department of Trade and Industry has commissioned McKinsey as a consultant for the proposed roadmap.
Panga said discussions focused on the roadmap’s five key pillars: cost, infrastructure, workforce, regulatory environment, and ecosystem.
These pillars, he said, will address structural issues, harness opportunities, and establish the Philippines as a trusted global partner.
Taking on these issues, key industry leaders and government partners convened at the Asian Development Bank’s “Emerging Solutions For A Sustainable Future Speakers’ Series on February 20 at the ADB Headquarters in Ortigas Central Business District.
“In PEZA, we can provide for the best location and business ecosystem for investors,” Panga said.
PEZA deputy director-general Joy Alguso who attended the ADB forum on February 22 highlighted the agency’s efforts to enhance logistics, reduce power and water costs, accelerate digitalization, and strengthen workforce skills and training in the ecozones to meet the evolving demands in the EMS-SMS sector.
Executives of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries of the Philippines Inc. (SEIPI) could not be reached for comment.
Alguso pointed out the signing on February 17 of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act as a game-changer for the semiconductor industry amid global competition.
