Senate approves Tatak Pinoy bill on final reading

The Senate on Monday unanimously approved the proposed Tatak Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) Act on third and final reading during the resumption of session.

With 23 affirmative, zero abstentions and zero negative votes  from the plenary, Senate Bill No. 2218 seeks to enhance the production and promotion of locally-produced products and services.

The bill mandates the formulation, financing, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of a comprehensive and multi-year Tatak Pinoy Strategy.

Tatak Pinoy is one of the priority measures of the Marcos administration. Its main sponsor is Senator Sonny Angara.

The measure also intends to strengthen the collaboration between government agencies and the private sector to boost Philippine products and services.

The measure will create a Tatak Pinoy Council that will serve as the policy and advisory body to the President. The council will formulate policies and programs that will diversify the productive capabilities of local enterprises and increase the country's economic potentials.

The director general of the National Economic and Development Authority will serve as the new body’s chairperson, while the secretaries of the Departments of Trade and Industry and Finance will be vice-chairpersons.

The council will include two representatives from the private sector, the director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education, and the secretaries of the Departments of Agriculture, Budget and Management, Education, Information and Communications Technology, Labor and Employment, Public Works and Highways, Science and Technology and Tourism.—RF, GMA Integrated News