The Bellevue Hotel, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
23 October 2015
President Benigno S. Aquino III affirmed the invaluable contribution of the semiconductor and electronics sector in uplifting and empowering the Philippine economy and the Filipino people, citing this as an example of the power of partnerships between the government and the private sector.
This was emphasized during his attendance to the 14th CEOs Forum by the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Incorporated (SEIPI), where he praised the electronic industry’s trust in working hand-in-hand with the administration.
He started off by emphasizing SEIPI’s successful partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) wherein over the course of last year, 96% of TESDA scholars have found employment in the electronics industry. Through this, the employment rate was maintained to its normal level and according to the President, they will remain committed in sustaining such rate by completing the trainings of the remaining scholars.
Moreover, the President cited several projects that continue to play a significant role in helping the industries move up the value chain. Two of these are the Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory (ADMATEL), which gives electronics companies an option to have failure analysis and materials characterization done in the country, as well as the inauguration of the Electronics Product Development Center that allows electromagnetic compatibility testing for the country’s electronic products. Because of these projects, President Aquino relayed his gratitude to the semiconductors and electronics industry in the Philippines.
“Over the course of my term, you have been one of the best partners we could have asked for. You devoted your time and your resource to help us generate the necessary skillsets for the labor you need,” the President said.
Likewise, he expressed hope that the electronics industry will continue working closely with the next administration in terms of good governance and reforms in the economy.
“My only hope is that, when the time comes for me to step down, you will work even more closely with my successor to continue our progress, to move Philippine manufacturing into global spotlight, and ultimately, to allow us to bequeath to future generations a Philippine economy and more importantly, a Philippine nation that is much more vibrant than we found it,” President Aquino said.
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