New DTI head to focus on consumer issues

MANILA, Philippines - Newly appointed Trade Secretary Jesli A. Lapus said he will focus on consumer issues, prices of basic commodities and the quality of manufacturing during his three and a half months in the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). 

In an interview after yesterday’s turn over ceremony, Lapus said that because his stint in DTI will be brief, he will only focus on the top six areas of concern.

Lapus said that he will be championing consumer rights by addressing their complaints. “We will pressure the industry to really give what the market demands.”

Lapus noted that he will look into the prices of basic commodities, adding that he will not hesitate to institute any price controls if it is needed in order to stabilize the prices in the market.

With regards to investments and trying to regain the decline in investment figures last year, Lapus said he will focus on the general issues in order to entice businessmen to again invest in the Philippines. 

He identified power as one of the major concerns of businessmen. “Power has always been a sticky issue.” He said that aside from the cost of power, the availability is also a major concern. Nowadays, there are rotating blackouts in various areas of the archipelago in order to address this.

“We have to look and see what we can do,” Lapus said. He noted that they will review the private sector component and check if there are any assistance that the government can provide. He said that he will link with the human resources because a stable workforce is one of the advantages of the Philippines over other countries.

He said that the DTI will carefully study labor matching in order to equip Filipino workers with the right capabilities required by large multinational companies. For example, he said that there is a need to bring back Spanish in the curriculum because the demand now is for Spanish speaking workers.

“We have to be competitive when compared to our neighbors. We are not the only place that they can invest in,” Lapus said.