PCCI supports DTI push to amend law to promote local products
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce (PCCI) is backing the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the push to amend the Government Procurement Reform Act in a bid to help local manufacturers amid the ongoing pandemic.
PCCI president George Barcelon said in a statement that the group fully supports the DTI’s initiative to push for amendments in Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act that would promote the purchase of locally made products.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez with PCCI during the group’s recent virtual courtesy call the DTI’s push for the inclusion of provisions in the law that would allow bidding solely for locally manufactured products certified by the government.
“In the budget discussions in Congress, we have been pushing for the Buy Local, Go Local program to be incorporated in the government procurement policy, meaning we want to have biddings only for all Filipino-made products that are certified by the government. Everybody in Congress agrees to it, even the opposition senators, but some quarters were afraid as it might be abused,” Lopez said.
DTI’s Buy Local, Go Local campaign aims to encourage Filipinos to patronize locally made products and services and promote the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
