Filipinos urged to 'buy Pinoy' to advance local industries, employment

A lawmaker is urging Filipinos to buy locally made products to strengthen local industries and create employment. Rep. Teddy Casiño, chairman of the House Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development, said the committee will be initiating a national campaign that will encourage consumers to support policies that benefit local producers and entrepreneurs. “[The] products are there, so what we need is consumer advocacy that they have to buy Filipino and tell them that Filipino products are worthy of their hard-earned money,” hesaid. Casiño said there is a need for the drive to "buy Pinoy," as high power rates and the cost of doing business in the country directly affect the manufacturing sector. He said the Philippines' biggest captive market for local products are still the over 90 million Filipinos themselves in the country and overseas. The “Buy Pinoy, Build Pinoy” movement seeks consumers’ support in the fight against smuggling, dumping and other unfair trade practices, and wants greater transparency and accountability in government. Casiño said he will spearhead the circulation of the pledge in schools and trade fairs nationwide to gather signatures of support. — BM, GMA News