‘Buy Pinoy Movement’ presents action plan for services sector

The broad-based ‘Buy Pinoy Movement’ shifted its national advocacy into high gear yesterday with the declaration of an action plan for the services sector and the decision to form a national steering committee guided by the battle-cry "Buy Pinoy, Save Jobs."

This came as the leaders of country’s major business groups, industry associations, and consumers gathered at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club to launch the Buy Pinoy Movement’s policy forum series.

In its declaration, the movement said the series "aims to ensure follow-through action that will encourage consumers to buy Filipino products and services, while manufacturers commit themselves to and firmly pursue greater productivity and world-class quality."

The movement defined "a Pinoy product as a commodity that is produced and packaged, or any service delivered in the Philippines employing Filipino labor, by any establishment registered under Philippine laws, and legitimately doing business in the Philippines.

The declaration stressed that "such entities bannering Pinoy goods and services are committed to, and are taking positive and concrete steps leading to sustainability, competitiveness, and quality improvement."

Representatives from the services sector called attention to the "pressures and serious threats to job security of workers in the tourism, hotel, and air transportation industries."

The Buy Pinoy Movement declared that it "will take immediate action to support the local manufacturing and producing industries by patronizing Pinoy products.

The movement said it "will support legislations and programs of government to patronize Pinoy airlines, hotels, restaurants and other establishments.

It resolved to immediately transmit copies of the declaration to Malacañang, the Senate and the House of Representatives for immediate consideration.

Yesterday’s gathering was highlighted by the attendance of Trade and Industry Secretary Mar Roxas who reiterated his support for the Buy Pinoy Movement, pointing out that "with the global economic situation still in a depressed state, the Philippines must draw on its inner strengths and focus on domestic economy as the engine for continued growth and economic stability."

"Our robust domestic demand can see us through this period of challenge as our export await the rebound of our major trading partners. But we need to repair and strengthen the sails and outriggers of our economic ship, and steer steadily and strongly in the same direction," Roxas said.

The meeting in Wack Wack was attended by the leaders of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Federation of Philippine Industries, Philippine Exporters Confederation, Employers Confederation of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, Chamber of International Trade, Philippine Retailers Association, Smuggling Watch, Consumers Union of the Philippines, Philippine Airlines Employees Association, Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Foundation, and the ‘Save Our Skies’ Movement.

Earlier last month, just one day after the National Economic Summit called by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the business sector responded by launching the Buy Pinoy Movement and signing a "Covenant for National Economic Survival and Prosperity.