PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. pledged renewed government support for local manufacturers on Saturday, emphasizing the need for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to adopt advanced technologies to remain competitive globally.
Speaking during a visit to the Nuvali Steel Processing Center, Inc. (NSPC) inside the Laguna Technopark Annex, President Marcos highlighted the role of state-of-the-art machinery in bolstering local supply chains and keeping economic value within the country.
“The advances that have been made in robotics are really quite impressive. So, it’s very good to see. We will do more of this, not only for Nuvali Steel, but also for the other companies,” Marcos said.
He noted that localized production reduces reliance on foreign suppliers, particularly for automotive components, which in turn secures domestic assembly lines and drives job creation.
NSPC, a manufacturer of automobile parts, metal components, accessories, and aluminum devices, benefited from the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) in 2023.
The assistance allowed the firm to acquire advanced arc welding robots, improving overall productivity, precision, and workplace safety.
The President pointed to the facility as a prime example of effective collaboration between the public and private sectors.
He stressed that stronger coordination is crucial for driving Industry 4.0 transformation across manufacturing and expanding robotics and artificial intelligence applications into other key sectors, including agriculture.
“This is a very, very important step that we have taken in terms not only of the advancement of manufacturing technologies, but also in the coordination and synchronization between government and the private sector,” the Chief Executive added.
The administration continues to promote smart manufacturing transition through various initiatives, including DOST’s Venture Financing and CUATRO programs, alongside the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Shared Service Facilities and MSME financing schemes.