Manufacturers urged to set up businesses in towns
BRING more businesses to the countryside.
This was the call made by Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale to manufacturers and businessmen for towns and municipalities to be part of countryside development.
“We recognize Cebu as an industrial province. We, at the provincial government, are here to implement the investment and incentive code of the province so we can attract more businesses outside of Metro Cebu and provide better employment opportunities for local residents,” said Magpale during the opening ceremony of the Manufacturing Technology Cebu and Pack Print Plas Cebu expos last week organized by Global-Link MP Events International, Inc.
Magpale mentioned the revival of the hablon industry in Argao and reiterated the provincial government’s thrust of encouraging micro and small enterprises to earn a living or augment their meager income.
The two industrial trade expos, which ran from June 29 to July 1, brought together 200 companies and brands, which presented latest trends in machinery and technology, and packaging, printing and plastic solutions.
The Cebu Food Expo was also held to showcase the latest food technology and solutions coverage.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) assistant secretary Arturo Boncato Jr. said the manufacturing sector is one of the five priority industries in terms of growth and development under the Trabaho at Negosyo (Employment and Entrepreneurship) strategy.
The other industries are agribusiness, IT-business process management (particularly knowledge process outsourcing), tourism, and infrastructure and logistics.
Boncato said the DTI has formulated a new comprehensive national industry strategy, which is aimed at upgrading the manufacturing, agriculture and services.
“Our goal is to develop innovation-driven, infrastructure-enabled, import/export-competitive and inclusive Philippine industries characterized by deep participation by micro, small and medium enterprises in regional and global production networks and global value chains,” he said.
Melanie Ng, president of Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the manufacturing sector exudes positive growth at 5.9 percent in 2016 from 5.3 percent in 2015 citing data from the National Economic and Development Authority Central Visayas region.
“More than a decade ago, the manufacturing sector has experienced a decline due to the global financial crisis. That’s why we are happy to have events, which introduce new technology and digital innovation to propel the sector to higher level,” said Ng.
Meanwhile, Willie Go, president of the Philippine Plastics Industry Association, said the past years have been tough on the plastic business with the ban of styrofoam.
In Cebu, Mandaue City Mayor Gabriel Luis “Luigi” Quisumbing ordered a plastic ban in July 2016 following massive flooding in the city.
“The road to recovery is not just a walk in the park, but we are looking for other possible solutions. We are looking at other applications for plastic in other areas such as infrastructure, automotive and healthcare,” Quisumbing said.