Support for local PPE makers Assured by DTI

The prioritization of Philippine-made personal protective equipment (PPE) in government procurement is in the works, as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) coordinates with the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Budget and Management Procurement Service (DBM-PS) to provide much needed support for the industry.

DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said in a statement that the agency is now working on various PPE matters in a statement Saturday night.

“DTI is now coordinating with the CPMP and the Department of Health and the DBM-PS on the implementation of Bayanihan 2 – anticipating its passage into law; as well as on aligning PPE demand requirements, timing of procurement, and flow of production,” Lopez said via PNA.

The trade chief also said that a provision citing preference to locally-made, internationally-certified PPE under Bayanihan 2 is being pushed by the DTI and DBM.

“DTI emphasizes that we have always been pushing for patronizing local manufacturers in sourcing PPE in the government procurement process. Thus, we also thank the Senate and the House of Representatives for incorporating our proposals in the Bayanihan 2 and their continued support of our Philippine-based manufacturers as well as our partners from the DOH and DBM-PS,” he said.

Lopez further said that in prioritizing locally-made products, jobs for Filipinos and Philippine-based firms amid the volatile business environment brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic will be kept safe.

International supply of PPE requirements

The Confederation of Philippine Manufacturers of PPE (CPMP) identified that getting demand from the government the local industry’s biggest challenge.

CPMP President Lawrence delos Santos said up to 99 percent of the government’s PPE requirements are imported products, mostly from China.

However, the group noted that the quality of imported PPE are not being tested when it arrived in the Philippines unlike the locally-produced PPE that have undergone inspection by the Food and Drug Administration and passed the highest testing standard done by international testing laboratories. (GFB)