(News article, photo drawn from iNFORMS, official e-newsletter of Export Development Council)
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered a message of support for Filipino exporters, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s export capacity.
The President emphasized key priorities such as industry growth, investment promotion, and the reduction of trade barriers as vital components in driving export-led development.
Underscoring the Philippines’ highly skilled and adaptable workforce, Marcos urged global investors to partner with the country, particularly in high-potential, export-driven sectors such as electronics, automotive, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, textiles, Halal products, and agriculture.
At the core of this agenda is the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2023–2028, which serves as the blueprint for positioning the Philippines as a globally competitive export hub.
The PEDP focuses on scaling up strategic industry clusters, improving product competitiveness, and eliminating export bottlenecks.
Exporters can expect enhanced government support through firm-level interventions, enabling policy reforms, and tailored programs that help businesses become more export-ready and aligned with international market demands.
To reinforce these efforts, the government is also tackling long-standing trade challenges, including high tariffs and restrictive policies that hamper access to major markets such as the United States.
Through active trade negotiations and policy reviews, the administration aims to secure broader market access and better trading conditions for Filipino products.
The Export Development Council (EDC) will continue to oversee the implementation and evaluation of the PEDP
