The risks posed by a global economic slowdown have been mitigated by the introduction of the Tatak Pinoy Program, which ensures a national industrialization strategy aimed at supporting local businesses.

During a panel discussion at the launch of the Tatak Pinoy Program in Pasay City on Tuesday, Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon addressed concerns over a 47.7-point drop in the Philippines' S&P Global Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for November. The PMI is a key indicator of manufacturing activity—an index above 50 signals expansion, while anything below this threshold suggests contraction.

Despite this, Edillon emphasized that the Tatak Pinoy Program, established under the Tatak Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) Act or Republic Act (RA) 11981, is designed to prioritize the government’s procurement of locally-produced goods for various public programs, including those focused on nutrition, healthcare, and education.

She pointed out that the government "delivers a lot of public goods and services, and many of these can be sourced from locally produced products."

Edillon added, "It doesn't necessarily have to be the case that exports decline just because of a global economic slowdown. We are a large country—114 million people strong, with 8,000 islands. Just imagine the potential for inter-island trade within our own borders."

To move forward, she stressed the need for more locally produced goods that meet the demands and needs of Filipino consumers. "Let's start with government programs that can prioritize locally made products for the public," she said.

The Tatak Pinoy Strategy, part of the country’s first national industrial policy under the Tatak Pinoy Act, aims to strengthen key sectors, create jobs, and elevate Filipino products and services to global standards. The program focuses on five key pillars: human resources, infrastructure, technology and innovation, investments, and sound financial management.