The Peninsula Manila, Makati City
28 October 2014

President Benigno S. Aquino III graced the 13th CEO’s Forum and 118th General Membership Meeting (GMM) of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc. (SEIPI) held in Makati City.

“This industry has long been a source of livelihood for hundreds of thousands of Filipinos,” said President Aquino in his keynote address. In January to August of 2014, the number of Filipinos who found direct employment in semiconductors and electronics rose from 260,000 to 331,000.

He added that government and partner companies are encouraged to capitalize on the Filipinos’ potential having them as the backbone of this industry’s success. Hence, the Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory (ADMATEL) under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) was put up to allow companies not just to build products, but also to test them here instead of abroad.

Similarly, the Electronics Product Development Center (EPDC) was established to render assistance to product designers in improving the quality of their designs.

Meanwhile, on issues concerning the potential shortfall of energy in 2015, the President said that government is seeking authority from Congress, under section 71 of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), to contract additional power reserves so they can ensure that there will be power regardless of the situation.

“All these efforts make it clear: Your government will stand by you as your industry grows. After all, we know just how deeply your success is tied to the success of our people and our economy,” he said.

Bearing the theme “Overcoming Challenges for Inclusive Economic Growth”, SEIPI’s CEO’s forum and GMM is an annual and quarterly activity where business executives meet to address various concerns in the industry and to provide an avenue for information exchange in ensuring a sustainable economic growth in the country.

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