MANILA, Philippines — A Malacañang official has urged Filipinos to patronize locally made products, especially food products, which will contribute positively to economic recovery efforts amid the pandemic.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles appealed to consumers to choose Filipino products over imported items when they go to groceries and supermarkets.
“My advice for those going out to buy groceries: No. 1 on the list is wear a mask, No. 2, don’t forget your face shield, and No. 3, buy Filipino products,” he said.
Nograles, chair of the Zero Hunger Task Force, added: “Let’s go local, let’s go all-Filipino.”
Nograles made the remarks as the economy gradually reopens amid the new coronavirus pandemic, with more industries allowed to operate at limited capacity.
The Philippine economy plunged into recession as a result of the strict lockdowns enforced to stop transmission of the virus, which also hindered movement and shuttered businesses.
The government has crafted an economic recovery program through the proposed Bayanihan 2 measure and the implementation of the Build, Build, Build projects to create more jobs.
Nograles said local food manufacturers “would benefit greatly from the support of consumers, given our current economic climate.”
“At this point, food manufacturing is one of the industries that is poised to contribute positively to economic recovery efforts, as the demand for food will always be there,” he said.