DLSU-Manila ties up with RP exporters body on services sector competitiveness

DLSU-Manila will lead the formulation of an action plan to enhance the competitiveness of various service subsectors in the country following the signing of a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) last October 18 at the University Board Room.

Present during the signing were Philexport President Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr. and Project Manager Gerardo Anigan. Representing the University was DLSU System President Brother Rolando Dizon, FSC.

The study, to be named “Project on Development of a Philippine Program for the Promotion of Services,” aims to develop a performance monitoring scheme and draw up concrete steps outlining competitiveness-enhancement strategies for identified priority subsectors.

The following service industries, collectively known as “priority services subsectors,” will be given focus on the study. They are: animation and film industry, printing and publishing, accounting and financial services, management consulting, hotel and restaurant management, and medical and healthcare services. Meanwhile, the IT services, architectural and engineering services, construction, entertainment, educational services, and pre-need services will also be studied as “other service subsectors.”

Under the agreement, DLSU-Manila, through the College of Business and Economics Research and Development (CBERD), shall draw up an in-depth industry profile of the identified priority services subsectors, with particular focus on market potential/foreign market demand, industry structure, supply capability, and manpower training needs and requirements.

The University will likewise draw up an action plan for each of the priority services subsectors and develop an appropriate monitoring scheme along with the directory and summary of existing studies on other services subsectors in the Philippines.

After the initial draft of the paper has been submitted, CBERD will hold an internal workshop for presentation of the draft study to the Philexport and the PEDP task force. The project will culminate in a consultative presentation of the study to the public. The consultative workshop will be held not later than six months from the start of the project.

Philexport, the accredited dominant exporters’ organization, is mandated to represent the interest of the export sector in the Export Development Council. It is represented nationwide through its 16 regional chapters, with over 3,000 members and 41 affiliated industry associations.

The confederation is working with the government on programs that seek to enhance national exports through awareness campaigns, advocacy for export-friendly policies, and provision of relevant and timely trade information.