Mandaluyong city: Citing the expansion in Philippine exports, Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque called on exporters to maximize opportunities to further bolster the sector. This development comes as merchandise exports sustained growth for the 10th consecutive month in October, reaching USD70.43 billion, which is 13.8 percent higher than the USD61.9 billion recorded in the same period last year, according to data released by the Bureau of Investments (BOI).

According to Philippines News Agency, the growth is primarily driven by electronics, which rose 11.7 percent to USD40.82 billion from the previous year's USD36.54 billion. Electronic Data Processing posted the highest growth at 16.1 percent, followed by consumer electronics at 15 percent, and semiconductors at 11.6 percent. Electronics have accounted for 50.1 percent of the country's total exports by the end of October this year.

Non-electronics exports also saw an increase, rising 16.8 percent to USD29.61 billion, and accounting for 49 percent of the total. 'This expansion suggested sustained momentum of semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing, supported by both export diversification and increased orders from major trading partners,' the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) stated in a press release.

Roque, speaking at the opening of the 2025 National Exporters Week activities in EDSA Shangri-La in Mandaluyong City, emphasized the importance of leveraging the positive trajectory of exports. 'Let us work together to ride this wave of opportunity and position the Philippines as a global trade powerhouse. Let us not just make waves. Let us create a tide that lifts every Filipino in this Bagong Pilipinas,' she urged stakeholders.