The Export Development Council (EDC) in its Joint Council and Executive Committee Meeting on 20 January 2021, adjusted the export targets in the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2018-2022.  The new targets are US$91.7B in 2021 and US$105.3B in 2022.

The adjustments were recommended by the Export Marketing Bureau after a thorough review and simulation considering the world economic situation due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the assumptions of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC)  and the data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).  Continue reading → EDC sets new export targets amidst pandemic

DICT responds to the need for an abrupt shift for Digitalization pushed by the global health crisis brought by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The majority of businesses are currently leveraging the use of online platforms to continue their market. As part of the new normal adaptation, online platforms are an excellent measure to sustain their market demand.

As part of its commitment to EDC in the implementation of PEDP being one of the agencies under MC 27, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) hastened to implement and improve the National Broadband Program (NBP) on internet connectivity throughout the country. It aims to improve Internet speed by accelerating fiber optic cables and wireless technologies to enhance the country’s Internet speed and ensure that all Filipinos have access to broadband capability.
Continue reading → DICT responds to the need for an abrupt shift for Digitalization

The Export Development Council (EDC), in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry- Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) and Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. will conduct a series of virtual regional consultations via zoom in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao comprising the top 10 exporting regions. 

The said event/s aims to present the updates on the implementation of the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2018-2022 and solicit commitments among stakeholders in regions to implement the Plan. Participants of the event are stakeholders such as direct and indirect exporters, logistics providers and the concerned government agencies (MC 27 agencies).

Recently, the EDC and EMB convened the PEDP Focused Group Discussion (FGD) virtually which was participated by the PEDP focal representatives from the 18 concerned government agencies directed under Memorandum Circular (MC) no. 27 to strengthen the implementation of the Plan. The FGD gathered updates from each agency on their Programs, Action Plans and Policies which has been affected by the pandemic.

The PEDP Virtual Regional consultations is scheduled every Wednesday (2:00pm-4:30pm):

LUZON (12 August 2020) : NCR, Region III-Pampanga and Region IV-A-CALABARZON

VISAYAS (19 August 2020): Region VI- Iloilo, Region VII- Cebu, and Region VIII- Tacloban

MINDANAO (26 August 2020): Region X- Cagayan de Oro, Region XI- Davao, Region XII- SOCCSKSARGEN and CARAGA

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) gears up to adapt the “new normal” after the COVID-19 pandemic through its “OPLAN TESDA ABOT LAHAT – TVET towards the New Normal” Operational Plan. In continuous support to the Philippine Export Development Plan 2018-2022, as directed by Memorandum Circular No. 27, TESDA continue to oversee policies on the prioritization and implementation of technical vocational education and training (TVET) amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Operational Plan aims to come up with relevant policies and programs to help society adjust to the new normal by introducing flexible & technology-based TVET arrangements, prioritizing agribusiness courses, and reassessing & adjusting TESDA’s systems responsive to future crises.

Priority sectors were also identified by TESDA in the Plan, namely: Agriculture, Health, ICT and Construction.

Moreover, the said Plan contains the following three (3) phases:
Phase I: Survival- involves the immediate response of TESDA during the crisis, focusing on reducing possible transmission of the disease, ensuring safety and security;

Phase II: Transitional or the transition period which provides for the TESDA’s action plans, programs and activities during the modified community quarantine as the country transitions to the “new normal.” and;

Phase III: Structural that involves the regular implementation of all programs under the “new normal” condition. PKC

Amid the global health crisis brought by the COVID-19, the Philippine Government agencies continue to support the export industry as they continue to implement their existing programs in assistance for the Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

As the current situation urged the need to double the production of medical goods such as masks, Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) and food and beverages for the frontliners,  the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) is continuing its implementation and support to the industries through its Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD).

DOST continues to support the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2018-2022 Strategy 1: Improve the overall climate for export development, continue to support the export industry by upgrading to SETUP 2.0 that aims to fully harness science and technology and innovation for enhanced competitiveness of MSMEs in both local and global markets.

Additionally, the Science 4 Change Program (S4CP) of the agency implements various programs for capacity building of Research and Development Institutions and Industrial Competitiveness. To create a synergistic academe-industry relationship to invigorate Philippine R&D DOST is implementing its Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippines Economy CRADLE) Program. DOST also has its Business Innovation through S&T (BIST) for Industry Program to facilitate the acquisition of strategic and relevant technologies by Filipino Companies to support R&D activities.

Moreover, Niche Centers in the Regions (NICER) for R&D serves to establish R&D Centers in the regions to promote regional development; and to Engage R&D experts to lead in strengthening the research capabilities of the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Research Development Institutions (RDIs), DOST has its R&D Leadership (RDLEad) Program.  For more details on the initiatives, you may visit the DOST-PCIEERD website at http://pcieerd.dost.gov.ph. 

Such programs were highlighted by the DOST during the eFora on “Technology and Innovation: Crisis-proofing Businesses”, as part of the #ResilienceandRecoveryPH: An eForum Series organized by the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF).

For further details and information on the eForum series, email at communications@philexport.ph. PKC