MANILA, Philippines - When one thinks of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), one immediately associates it with championing the interests of the business sector, especially of multinationals and big business. However, a recent dialogue with the present DTI officials led by DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo makes one realize just how pro-poor their programs and projects are and how DTI could make changes in their plans to become a stronger advocate for the poor. Based on the national goals of reducing if not eliminating poverty, the department will focus on helping the country achieve high and sustained economic growth leading to job creation. It intends to improve the country's competitiveness, increase exports, investments, and tourism and expand the level of entrepreneurship which will result in 1 million+ jobs per year up to 2016. This will come from the quantitative goal in investment generation (approval) of 10% in 2010, 15% in 2011-12, 20% in 2013-14. To sharpen the country's international competitiveness in order to attract foreign direct investments and encourage domestic enterprises, the DTI will work for the deregulation of major industries and utilities operations, laws, policies, and constitutional provisions thru legislation; repositioning the LGU Code to be supportive and responsive to business endeavors; harnessing and maximizing the benefits of Free Trade Agreements, bilateral and multilateral trade agreements; and further developing the nation's capital and financial markets. From a very simplistic point of view, these initiatives of DTI will help the poor by creating jobs for them. DTI also has programs on micro, small, and medium enterprise development which will transform the poor to become entrepreneurs and those who do not have the aptitude and skills for such will find jobs in the diverse enterprises established. Its initiatives in consumer welfare ensures that the buying public will learn their rights as consumers will have their complaints resolved speedily, will be provided information on business that are exemplars in selling products and providing services with great value, durability, and safety; and will face price stability in the market. The projects approved by the Board of Investments in the Investment Priorities Plan will provide low-cost housing, social, and hard infrastructure for the poor.
However, the DTI may want to consider more pro-poor activities like providing incentives for businesses and support facilities to be set up in resettlement areas; greater focus on the agriculture sector where most of the poor are located; calibration of incentives to favor labor-intensive rather than capital-intensive projects; and creating an umbrella of incentives for the poorest provinces akin to those provided to ecozones. With these additional thrusts, the Department of Trade and Industry will certainly help achieve the national objective of poverty eradication and bring prosperity and progress to the least developed countryside. Business Bits. The immediate appointment of a president of the Credit Information Corporation should ensure greater access to the banking system for small and medium enterprises.
