Secretary Ramon M. Lopez
Department of Trade and Industry
(Photo from Mark Ches Ang)

As another year unfolds, we make a list of things we want to achieve and resolutions we promise to keep — from living a healthier life to spending more time with our loved ones. Why not include a commitment to support local businesses?

For instance,the simple act of buying coffee beans from Benguet Gold Coffee, Hineleban Farms, and Project Beans for your daily coffee fix will go a long way in contributing to our economy’s recovery in these challenging times. Resolve to buy clothing from homegrown brands like Kenro Boutique, Angie’s Yakan Handloom Weaving, and MaisonMetisse for your OOTDs.

If redesigning your home is part of your 2022 plans, consider purchasing from local makers. Most of these furniture crafters utilize sustainable materials that are not only safe for the environment but are also durable and can withstand the test of time. Among these are Haspe Design Studio, Crate Possibilities, and Wood Classic Enterprise.

These simple things, when done purposely and habitually, can spark a domino effect that will develop a strong sense of pride in our local products and cultural identity as Filipinos. This will gradually build up a solid action of support from fellow Filipinos, helping many business owners recover from the pandemic, sustain business operations, and provide income for their employees.

Supporting local, however, doesn’t end with a simple product purchase. Why not go the extra mile by promoting these products to your friends, family members, business partners, fans, and social media followers?

#FlexPHridays - Sec. Mon Lopez, donning a barong by Angie’s Yakan Cloth, handwoven from Zamboanga City.

DTI Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona with her multiple local-made items: Handwoven abaca silk face mask by Buttons & Things – Sheree Reynaldo, necklace and ring from Davao Oriental and bag from Prime of Asia Handicraft.

DTI Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo flexing her locally made tote bag during a recent event.

Undersecretary Gani Macatoman wears a polo shirt from from Kenro Boutique accented with handwoven textile from the Cordilleras, a bamboo watch and a locally made leather belt.

The Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) #FlexPHridays campaign is a good opportunity to make this happen. Every Friday, be sure to participate and showcase homegrown products and services by posting about them on social media. Encourage others to participate as well. Share your Gawang-Pinoy story to the world and help uplift the spirit and enthusiasm for local brands.

Wear, eat, buy, watch, read, and listen to anything local and flex them on Fridays. Your participation will cause a ripple effect that will highlight the quality of local products and enhance pride among Filipino entrepreneurs. Together, we can show the world that Filipino products are capable of competing in the global market. Through the power of social media, we have the potential to reach global Filipinos, opening up market opportunities for locally made products in other countries.

While the world deals with unpredictable situations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we can keep our hopes high as you continue to trust us in the government to maintain a proper balance between protecting lives and livelihood. With our current efforts and the support of every Filipino, we can continue to build back better toward a new and Better Normal.

We wish everyone a better and safer 2022. Now is the best time to fully commit to support local industries. Buy Local. Go Lokal and show your Filipino pride every day, especially on #FlexPHridays.

DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez

Flexing Filipino Pride in 2022

When we say buying local helps the economy, this is what we mean