The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Philippines has launched an ambitious initiative to modernize the wholesale and retail trade sector, aimed at generating significant economic growth and job opportunities. Collaborating with the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) and the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP), the DTI crafted a comprehensive Job Blueprint. DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque emphasized the blueprint’s potential to merge technological advancements with economic opportunities, creating a more dynamic and robust job market. This initiative targets employment for over 10 million Filipinos, highlighting its substantial scope and ambition.
The wholesale and retail trade sector contributes approximately PhP 4.4 trillion to the national GDP, signifying its critical role in the Philippine economy. To ensure the effectiveness of this blueprint, the DTI engaged a variety of stakeholders through focus group discussions and guided surveys at the UP Law Center. Participants included representatives from supermarkets, specialized retailers, consumer goods distributors, automotive stores, and sari-sari stores. These engagements allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape and challenges faced by the sector.
Focus Areas and Objectives
The blueprint addresses key issues such as workforce development, digital transformation, supply chain optimization, and the regulatory framework. These areas are crucial for enhancing sector efficiency and driving growth. Workforce development focuses on equipping the labor force with new skills essential for a modern retail environment, emphasizing the need for continuous training and upskilling. Digital transformation aims to integrate advanced technologies to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and improve overall competitiveness. Supply chain optimization endeavors to create more efficient logistical systems, reducing costs and increasing reliability. Addressing the regulatory framework ensures the sector operates within guidelines that promote fair competition and protect consumer interests.
This initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of a “Bagong Pilipinas,” aiming to harmonize sector growth with broader national goals of inclusive growth, poverty reduction, and global competitiveness. The ultimate objective is to transform the wholesale and retail trade sector into a significant driver of job creation and economic prosperity, contributing to the national ambition of inclusive economic growth as articulated in Ambisyon 2040. The focus on these critical areas underlines the blueprint’s strategic approach to tackling existing challenges and leveraging opportunities for sector advancement.
Strategic Collaboration for a Dynamic Future
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Philippines has launched an ambitious initiative to revitalize the wholesale and retail trade sector, aiming to drive significant economic growth and create ample job opportunities. Partnering with the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) and the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP), the DTI developed a detailed Job Blueprint. DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque highlighted the blueprint’s potential to merge technological advancements with new economic opportunities, thereby fostering a more dynamic and robust job market. This initiative aims to generate employment for over 10 million Filipinos, showcasing its expansive scope.
The wholesale and retail trade sector is crucial to the Philippine economy, contributing approximately PhP 4.4 trillion to the national GDP. To ensure the blueprint’s effectiveness, the DTI engaged various stakeholders through focus group discussions and guided surveys at the UP Law Center. Participants ranged from supermarkets and specialized retailers to consumer goods distributors, automotive stores, and sari-sari shops. These engagements provided a thorough understanding of the current landscape and the challenges the sector faces.
