Marcos lauds PH-US semiconductor dev't. during SIA courtesy call

The United States' Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) paid a courtesy call on President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday.

The courtesy call was led by SIA president and CEO John Neuffer.

During the meeting, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stressed the continued collaboration of the Philippines and US in developing the semiconductor industry.

“We have the experience. We already have so many of the players in the country who are already doing the manufacturing and perhaps it’s just a question of developing it further. And in fact, the way technology goes is not something that you have a choice of, you just have to keep up,” Marcos said.

“We have all kinds of issues when it comes to digital space when it comes to planning our semiconductor industry. They are new and we’re trying to wrestle with how to deal with them. Unfortunately, geopolitics have become more important,” he added.

The President also lauded SIA for its active role in keeping its member companies, which comprise 80 percent of global chip manufacturing, actively engaged with the Philippines.

In November, Marcos expressed the country's intention to work with SIA, which aims to expand operations in the Philippines.

“The State Department is spending $500 million for five years mostly on helping our friends and partners like the Philippines develop talent,” Neuffer said as he noted Arizona State University’s participation in the program.

“The participation of your government has been very rich… you’re taking it very seriously and we really appreciate it,” he added.

According to the Presidential Communications Office, In 2023, the Philippines’ largest exports to the US were semiconductors and integrated circuits, which amounts to US$3.1 billion or 23.3% of its total exports to the North American country.  —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News