The government is set to conduct an inventory of all of its existing export-related programs for the full implementation of the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2023-2028.
This after Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin signed Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 23 (series of 2023), which took effect on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, leading to the approval of the latest PEDP.
Under the new issuance, all concerned government agencies will be required to submit to the Export Development Council (EDC) and to the Office of the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary, an inventory of relevant programs, activities and projects (PAP) which are aligned with the strategies under the PEDP 2023-2028.
MC No 27 (series of 2017) listed the following government offices with policies related to export growth: Department of Trade and Industry; Department of Agriculture; Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Department of Health; Department of Finance; Department of Information and Communications Technology; Department of the Interior and Local Government; Department of Public Works and Highways; Department of Transportation; Department of Tourism; Department of Labor and Employment; Department of Science and Technology; Technical Education and Skills Development Authority; Commission on Higher Education; Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; Department of Foreign Affairs; and the National Economic and Development Authority.
“These agencies shall implement the identified PAPs to develop and promote Philippine exports, and ensure the free flow of goods, in accordance with the PEDP 2023-2028, PDP (Philippine Development Plan) 2023-2028, and MC No. 27,” Bersamin said.
The deadline for the said submission will be 60 days upon the effectivity of the circular.
The EDC was tasked to ensure the the biannual validation and updating of the PEDP pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 7844 and in the context of the Philippine Development Plan.
DTI earlier noted the PEDP will cover four priority sectors namely, industrial machinery and transport; technology, media and telecommunications; health and life sciences cluster; and “modern basic needs of a resilient economy.”
Once fully implemented, Bersamin said the program is expected to increase the volume of the country’s exports and help “reinvigorate poverty reduction and job creation measures by guiding the economy towards a high-growth path and develop a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous society.”