Phl to put up own electronic development center – P-Noy

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino revealed yesterday that the National Government, through the Department of Science and Technology, is in the process of putting up a development center and tapping the expertise of Filipinos in making products world-class.

“We have also been exploring our country’s capacity to design our own products, which is behind our drive to establish the Electronics Product Development Center in Bicutan, meant to assist product designers to improve the quality of their designs,” he said.

Aquino made this disclosure during the 13th CEO Forum and 188th general membership meeting of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the

Philippines held at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.

 “The opening of this facility will be a significant step in opening the door for electronics products that are completely homegrown,” he said, at the same time reassuring the semiconductor industry about the efforts of government to avert the possible shortfall of power in the summer of 2015.

The Chief Executive also said his administration has decided to establish a DOST facility that will help the industry ensure its continued success, especially since Filipinos are the backbone of their corporate victory.

 “It naturally behooves us to capitalize on their potential by moving up the value chain,” he said.

 “We decided to put up the Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory, or Admatel, under our DOST allowing your companies not just to build products, but also to test them here instead of abroad,” Aquino said proudly.

As to the reported power crisis next year, he said “government is doing everything within its capacities to meet our energy requirements and, by doing so, sustain and even improve on our economic momentum.”

“We are seeking authority from Congress, under section 71 of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, or EPIRA, to contract additional power reserves, so that we can ensure that there will be power, regardless of the situation,” Aquino stressed.

 “We are also looking to other methods that can help. For instance, we are working to expand private sector participation in our Interruptible Load Program, through which we will compensate major power-users if they disconnect from the grid and use their own generators,” he added.