Angara joined officials, industry leaders, and development partners at the Manila Marriott Hotel in Pasay City for the official launch of the "Tatak Pinoy" Program—an event led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to celebrate the implementation of Republic Act No. 11981, or the Tatak Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) Act.
Education is key
In an interview on the sidelines, Angara underscored that the Department of Education (DepEd) plays a strategic role in preparing the country’s future workforce for the demands of the newly unveiled "Tatak Pinoy" Strategy, the Philippines’ first-ever national industrial policy institutionalized through law.
"Siyempre, full support tayo sa Tatak Pinoy Program dahil tayo nga yung may akda nito noong tayo ay nasa Senado (Of course, we fully support the Tatak Pinoy Program because we authored this when we were still in the Senate)," he said.
Angara also noted that the success of "Tatak Pinoy" depends not only on strong industries but on well-prepared, future-ready learners.
"Palagay ko malaki pa din ang tungkulin at magagawa ng DepEd dito dahil bahagi ng Tatak Pinoy strategy ay kailangan trained at world-class yung workforce na ipo-produce ng ating mga paaralan (I believe the DepEd still has a major role to play here, because a key part of the Tatak Pinoy strategy is ensuring that the workforce produced by our schools is well-trained and world-class)," Angara said, noting that education reforms must align with the priority sectors identified in the national industrial roadmap.
He emphasized that DepEd is committed to strengthening senior high school (SHS) curricula; expanding STEM, technical-vocational, and digital education; enhancing teacher training and industry partnerships; and equipping learners with 21st-century and industry-relevant skills.
Angara added that close collaboration between DepEd, DTI, CHED, TESDA, and industry partners will ensure that the country develops a competent workforce capable of driving innovation and productivity.
Supporting PH’s first national industrial strategy
The Tatak Pinoy Strategy—approved by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on October 24, 2025, through Memorandum Circular No. 104—lays out a long-term, multi-year roadmap to strengthen key sectors, generate quality jobs, and elevate Filipino products and services to global standards.
Angara emphasized that education reform and industrial reform must work hand in hand, describing Tatak Pinoy as a “historic opportunity” to align Philippine education with the future needs of industry.
Showcasing Filipino innovation
The launch featured a national exhibition of homegrown products and services from nine priority sectors, including Food and Agro-Processing, Electronics, Semiconductors, Construction Materials, IT-BPM, Pharmaceuticals, Automotive and EV Components, Defense Manufacturing, and Chemicals and Industrial Inputs.
Angara noted that many of these industries rely heavily on STEM talent, innovation competencies, and technical proficiency—areas DepEd aims to strengthen under ongoing reforms.
A whole-of-nation effort
The event was attended by members of the Tatak Pinoy Council, with DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque delivering the keynote message. Stakeholders from government, business, academe, and civil society expressed unified support for accelerating the country’s industrial transformation.
Angara committed that DepEd will continue building programs that nurture Filipino learners who will eventually become engineers, innovators, technicians, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the industries prioritized under "Tatak Pinoy."