A Visayan legislator is strongly pushing for the passage of a measure that would mandate the purchase, use and rent of products produced locally.Rep. Roger Mercado (Lone District, Southern Leyte) has filed House Bill 4383 to boost the local trade and industry.
"Local trade and industry deserve the support of the government. While support to local trade and industry could be accorded by providing the necessary support infrastructure, such kind of support could not do well if our own people will not buy our own products," Mercado stressed.
Mercado said patronizing locally produced products will also speak well of their quality and will therefore encourage other nationalities to do so.
"It is the declared policy of the State to foster local trade and industry by encouraging the purchase, use and rent of locally made products," Mercado said.
Under the measure, every citizen is required to purchase, use and rent products or materials which are manufactured or produced locally in the country.
The bill states that a product is considered produced locally if it contains 80% raw materials sourced within the country.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) is confident that Filipino products can hold up against the best international brands and the avalanche of cheap products from China.
"You put a Filipino brand side-by-side an international brand and sometimes the difference is just the price," said Mars Chua, Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) national president.
Chua also pointed out the maturity of the Filipino consumers, who are now looking not only for a reasonable price tag but also for quality products.
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