MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines aims to export $110 billion in semiconductor and electronics by 2030, which Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said would translate into more factories, investments, and better-paying jobs for Filipinos.
Semiconductors and electronics already account for more than 60 percent of Philippine merchandise exports and generate over $45 billion annually, Malacanang said.
Recto said the government is moving to secure a bigger share of the trillion-dollar global semiconductor industry to bring more investments, high-paying jobs, and greater opportunities for Filipino workers.
He said President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. wants the Philippines to move beyond traditional assembly and manufacturing and capture more high-value activities such as chip design, engineering, research, and innovation.
“Ang target natin, hindi lang makita ang Made in the Philippines sa mga produkto (Our target is not just to see 'Made in the Philippines' on products)," Recto said on Thursday.
"Gusto natin: (We want): Designed in the Philippines. Engineered in the Philippines. Innovated in the Philippines," Recto said at the launch of the Philippine Semiconductor and Electronics Industry Roadmap.
He said by 2030, the government aims to increase the Philippines’ share of global semiconductor assembly, test, and packaging from four percent to seven percent; capture four percent of global electronics manufacturing services; and build an integrated circuit design sector generating $2 billion to $3 billion in annual exports.
Recto added that the semiconductor and electronics industry will be a major driver of the Luzon Economic Corridor, strengthening the country’s position in global technology and supply chains.
“Whether we act or not, this industry will continue to expand. And we must grow with it. That is the direction President Marcos Jr. has set for us,” Recto said.
Recto, chairman of the
Semiconductor and Electronics Industry Advisory Council (SEIAC), said the government will focus on removing obstacles that prevent companies from investing and expanding in the Philippines.
This includes addressing shortages in engineers and skilled workers, improving power, water and logistics infrastructure, accelerating permits, and resolving regulatory bottlenecks through coordinated government action.
He said that the roadmap will be measured by actual results, with SEIAC technical working groups tasked to deliver against clear targets and timelines.
“A roadmap is only as good as its execution. We have enough good plans in government. What the industry needs from us now are results,” Recto said.
“As chairperson of SEIAC, you can be assured that our office will not only chair the launch of this Roadmap, but will stay on top of its actual implementation,” he said.
Present during the launch were Finance Secretary Frederick Go; Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan; Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo, Education Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba; Commission on Higher Education Chairman Shirley Agrupis; Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Jose Francisco Benitez; Bases Conversion and Development Authority Chairman Jerry Marasigan; and Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director General Tereso Panga, SEIPI President Dan Lachica; Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Emeritus and Philexport President Sergio Ortiz-Luiz Jr.
