Trade official suggests: Why not source auto parts from PHL?

The Department of Trade and Industry is urging domestic vehicle assemblers to source more car parts from the Philippines to cushion the impact of Japan's devastation on the automotive supply chain. Speaking to reporters, Trade Undersecretary and Board of Investments management head Cristino Panlilio said, "We gave car companies an option: source spare parts here. Filipino manufacturers can be a stopgap." He explained that vehicle manufacturers have expressed concern that they may be unable to source automotive parts from Japan where production facilities are disrupted by the unstable power supply in the earthquake- and tsunami-stricken country. The Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines Inc. (MVPMAP) meanwhile expressed its members' readiness supply domestic assemblers with car parts. "Parts makers are running below capacity right now. They can do the parts immediately if given the chance," said MVPMAP executive director Antonio Gimenez. Vehicle assemblers have sourced less auto parts from the Philippines, supposedly because of the limited types of components the suppliers churn out for the local market. — PE/VS, GMA News