The recent increase in the United States’ tariff rates heightened the risk of Asian goods being dumped into the Philippine market, raising the need for more stringent measures to protect local industries, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque said Wednesday.
Roque, in an interview on the sidelines of the Federation of Philippine Industries Inc. Business Summit in Makati City, said they expect increased entry of steel, cement, and garments, among others.
She traced this to the attractiveness of the Philippines as a market, given the country’s large population of over 100 million.
She said DTI will work closely with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to ensure that only registered and properly taxed goods enter the country.
The DTI will also coordinate with local industries to prevent the continued spread of unregistered products in the market.
On Tuesday, personnel from DTI’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau seized around PHP2 million worth of substandard construction materials from 24 retailers in Central Luzon as it strengthened its drive against uncertified and unsafe products in the market.
“We need to protect the manufacturing industry of the Philippines. So us, being in government, and us making sure we protect the jobs of the people,” she said.
Roque also noted that although investments continue to pour in, the volume is not what they had expected, thus, the need to boost local industries.
“So, we try to help them resolve whatever issues they have. And then we also at least help them strengthen or level up their businesses,” she explained.
Related to this is the call for businesses with online presence to apply for the E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark, which is mandated under Republic Act 11967, otherwise known as the Internet Transactions Act of 2023, and the DTI’s Department Administrative Order 25-07.
Businesses need to pay the PHP1,000 annual application fee, PHP100 web administration fee, and PHP30 documentary stamp tax, but excluded from paying the application and web administration fees are those that are registered under DTI’s Barangay (Village) Micro Business Enterprise.
DTI has extended the application deadline to Dec. 31, 2025 from the earlier date of Sept. 30 to give more businesses time to secure the badge, which, Roque said, protects both the sellers and their customers. (PNA)
