'Phl gov't preparing industries for stiffer Asean competition'

MANILA, Philippines - Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman on Friday said the government is exerting effort to ensure that Philippine industries and their workers are prepared for stiffer competition with the further removal of tariffs next year under the ASEAN Economic Community.

In an interview at the sidelines of the World Economic Forum - East Asia, Soliman said the Labor and Trade departments are teaming up to ensure that micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs could access capital to boost competitiveness and improve production.

The Agriculture department is also stepping up efforts to help farmers and give them the opportunity to export their produce.

"For social protection, we are expanding the coverage of health insurance and the conditional cash transfer to help the workers in the informal sector and their families," Soliman said.