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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider We need to export more to boost our growth

We need to export more to boost our growth

Published Jun 16, 2024 10:02 pm

#MINDANAO
 

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Recent news of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Philippine Exporters Confederation (PHILEXPORT) and the Department of Trade and Industry to promote greater utilization of our Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) is a welcome development that can boost export growth. Vital information on tariffs and other benefits of FTAs such as the ASEAN Free Trade Area, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership agreement, among others must be cascaded to businesses in all regions of the country to encourage growth in exports.

Boosting exports is especially important for Mindanao, whose bounty already makes it a major player in the agricultural export industry, with its coconut, banana, and pineapple sectors contributing heavy agri-export revenues. Developing downstream industries apart from canning and juicing, can add value to these exports.  This is where innovation will need to come to build diversification and scale. This will require massive investment promotion and the development of more value chains aimed at exports. This, in turn, raises the income potential of our agricultural commodities and expands employment opportunities.

To encourage more exports, one-stop shops for exporters to get their documents and products ready for export can be established or strengthened by the DTI, Philexport, and local chambers of commerce. Workshops on addressing compliance issues in the country of destination, and linkages with foreign chambers of commerce, buyers groups, and even Filipino organizations can be organized. These exchanges can help shepherd the exports to a wider array of buyers.

Other steps include creating an export development committee within the regional development councils. This committee, composed of private sector and government agencies can identify potential export products and find ways to facilitate the growth of export industries in their specific region by identifying and addressing challenges and harnessing opportunities. Target products can be developed and the growth of the industries, including their support enterprises can be tracked to determine and expand the positive impact of export growth on the local economy.


What I’m watching: Catholic content on YouTube

In my spare time, I have found myself watching a lot of Catholic content on online media platforms like YouTube channels featuring catholic content. Among them is Called to More, which features personalities like Fr. Columba Jordan, a priest who shares spiritual insights on everyday situations such as worry and anxieties in a light, jovial manner in videos that last 10 to 20 mins.

Another YouTube channel is Breaking the Habit. Hosted by a young Franciscan priest, this channel breaks down into bite-size pieces of many facts and truths about Catholicism, making it a nice introduction to the faith.

Another is the popular channel called Explaining the Faith by the Marians of the Immaculate Conception based in Stockbridge Massachusetts, with its talks by Fr. Chris Alar.

Apart from them, many lay Catholics have taken to social media to promote the faith. They see the world through their faith perspective, giving meaning to current events, cutting through confusion, and
helping find answers to our questions about the purpose of our existence.

The rise of Catholic online media channels suggests a growing interest in Roman Catholicism itself. Its message of love and mercy attracts many seeking solace and healing. The recent conversions of Hollywood celebrities to its flock arouses interest. Its resilience despite the controversies and detractors over the centuries inspired me to delve into its history and traditions to find its contributions to knowledge, art, music and civilization. There is more to discover.

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