The government encourages Filipinos to patronize local products long before this pandemic. In 2012 Rep. Teddy Casiño, chairman of the House Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development urged Filipinos to buy locally made products to strengthen local industries and create employment.

Department of trade and Industry (DTI) called on consumers to help boost local economy by patronising local products. The call was due to the possible influx of pruducts from Asian countries because of Asean Integration. In 2015, Rachel Nufable, Chief Trade and Industry Development Specialist of DTI- Negros Occidental said that “some imported commodities will have already zero tariffs by the end of 2015.” Because of this local consumers may be tempted to buy these imported products.

In his departure speech last May 22, 2017 at the Davao International Airpot before his visit to Russia, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte urged government officials to wear Filipino products. He said, “Everybody in government should be wearing Filipino-made (products)…If we do not promote our products, who will?”

Image courtesy of http://www.agriculture.com.ph

COVID-19 crisis does not only affect our health, it’s seriously affecting our country’s economy and food security. All Filipinos should patronise local products especially those produced by our local farmers instead of buying imported ones. Chef Jam Melchor, founder of Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement and Country Head of Slow Food Youth Network Philippines said, “Supporting our local farmers by buying directly form them will strengthen our local agri industry instead of relying on imprts for our staple.”

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is planning to tap local farmers to supply raw materials for its products. Ramon Ang, the SMC President and COO said, they are looking for ways to be able to tap more farmers for rice production, corn, cassava, coconut oil, pork, chicken, among others.” Their goal is to sustain far incomes in the countryside and secure food supply amidst COVID-19 pandemic.

We may have to say goodbye to our favorite foreign brands for now to help our local farmers and businesses unless they patronise local materials in their production and manufacturing.

Sources:

http://www.agriculture.com.ph

http://www.gmanetwork.com

http://www.sunstar.com.ph

http://www.filipinotimes.net

Published by Pastorbluejeans Unplugged

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