Makati city: The recent increase in the United States' tariff rates has 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, noted the expected increased entry of steel, cement, and garments, among others, into the country.
According to Philippines News Agency, Roque attributed this influx to the attractiveness of the Philippines as a market, given the country's large population of over 100 million. She emphasized that DTI will work closely with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to ensure that only registered and properly taxed goods enter the country. Furthermore, the DTI plans to 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 part of an intensified drive against uncertified and unsafe products in the market. Roque stressed the importance of protecting the manufacturing industry in the Philippines to safeguard jobs.
She also pointed out that despite ongoing investments, the volume has not met expectations, necessitating efforts to boost local industries. The DTI is committed to resolving issues faced by local businesses and helping them strengthen their operations.
Additionally, Roque highlighted the call for businesses with an online presence to apply for the E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark as mandated under Republic Act 11967, the Internet Transactions Act of 2023, and the DTI's Department Administrative Order 25-07. While the annual application fee is PHP1,000, along with a PHP100 web administration fee and PHP30 documentary stamp tax, businesses registered under DTI's Barangay Micro Business Enterprise are exempt from these fees.
DTI has extended the application deadline to Dec. 31, 2025, from the earlier date of Sept. 30, to allow more businesses time to secure the badge, which Roque said protects both sellers and customers.
