To hasten the country’s recovery from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Trade and Industry encouraged the public to patronize local products and services.

During the “Recharge Philippines” briefing Friday, DTI Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo urged Filipinos to buy and avail of local products and services in a bid to aid the country in its recovery plan as it reopens the economy.

“We are encouraging everyone, mga kababayan, it’s really time to buy local, go lokal,” Rodolfo said.

"Sana po ‘pag bumibili tayo, 'pag nasa retail establishments, titingnan natin saan kaya gawa ito? Kapag tintangkilik natin ang produktong Pilipino-- magaganda naman po ang kalidad talaga ng mga made in the Philippines product--makakatulong po tayo kapag tinatangkilik din po natin ang mga trabahador na Pilipino (When we buy and we are in retail establishment, I hope we check where the product is manufactured. If we patronize Filipino products, which are actually high-quality--we are able to help Filipino workers)," he added. "So buy local, go lokal."

The undersecretary presented during the briefing the agency's recovery plan to create a better future for Filipinos in a "modern, efficient, inter-connected, and inclusive Philippines."

Part of the agency's objectives are to have a modernized and integrated industrial capacity, to integrate local high-value products and service in global value chains, as well as to contribute to socio-economic development including infrastructure, health, poverty, and employment environment.