The government has launched Tatak Pinoy, a program designed to strengthen local industries and give Filipino-made products a competitive edge in state procurement through a 25-percent price advantage and other support measures.
Under the new initiative, companies using domestically sourced materials in government projects can enjoy a significant price edge, allowing them to secure bids even if their offers are higher than imported alternatives.
“You get a 25-percent advantage just for using Filipino-made materials. Even if your bid is higher, you can still win,” said Bryan Ang, vice president for trade at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the official private sector representative to the Tatak Pinoy Council.
The program is built around three key measures: referential bidding, which gives preference to contractors and suppliers using Filipino-made materials such as cement, steel or copper; “green lanes” to fast-track permits and clearances for accredited Tatak Pinoy investors; and expanded financing provided by the Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines to help small and medium-sized manufacturers.
The Tatak Pinoy Council, composed of officials from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Economy, Planning and Development Authority, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the private sector, will oversee accreditation and program implementation.
Priority sectors are expected to include steel, cement, semiconductors, electronics and agriculture, although details on local content requirements are still being finalized.
The Tatak Pinoy Act, or Republic Act 11981, aims to increase domestic procurement, strengthen local manufacturing and promote Filipino entrepreneurship across key sectors.
