In a news release, DTI said it continues to closely monitor developments in the region amid concerns over shipping disruptions and possible impacts on trade flows, particularly for agricultural exports.

Some exporters have already reported declines in banana shipments to Middle Eastern markets due to maritime disruptions linked to the geopolitical tensions.

While Philippine exports remained resilient overall, the DTI said it is assessing risks that may affect specific sectors and export destinations.

“The DTI continues to closely monitor global developments that may affect trade and logistics, including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. While exports have remained resilient, the Department is assessing and addressing potential risks that may impact specific sectors and markets,” the agency said.

To cushion the impact on exporters, the DTI said it is working with industry stakeholders on market diversification strategies and supply chain adjustments.

The agency is also providing exporters with market intelligence and information on alternative shipping routes and export destinations.

“DTI is working with industry stakeholders to help exporters navigate possible disruptions through market diversification and pivoting to domestic and other export markets, supply chain adjustments, and the provision of timely market intelligence on viable alternative routes,” it added.

The government is likewise rolling out financial support through the ₱3-billion Export Business Expansion Fund (EBEF), in coordination with the Small Business Corporation.

Under the program, affected micro, small, and medium enterprises may secure loans of up to ₱20 million, payable for up to five years with a one-year grace period.

The DTI said the fund is intended to help exporters expand operations, increase production capacity, modernize facilities, and remain globally competitive despite external shocks.

“Under the EBEF, loans of up to ₱20 million may be secured and repaid for up to 5 years, with one year grace period, to secure export markets through business expansion, increasing production capacity and modernization activities to scale up and strengthen their competitiveness and compete globally,” the DTI said.

The government’s intervention comes as exporters face increasing uncertainty from geopolitical tensions affecting maritime trade routes, fuel costs, logistics, and regional demand patterns across the Middle East.

The DTI recently adopted an updated global environmental standard called ISO 14001:2026 as an official Philippine National Standard. The standard gives companies a guide on how to reduce pollution, manage waste better, lower harmful emissions, and protect the environment while still growing their business.

In simple terms, the new rules help businesses become “greener” and more climate-friendly.

The standard was created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), a global group that develops rules and best practices used by companies around the world.

By following the updated standard, Philippine businesses can improve their environmental practices and stay competitive in the international market, where many buyers now demand eco-friendly products and operations.

The updated version replaces the older 2024 standard and includes clearer guidelines on how companies can deal with environmental risks and support sustainable growth.

Although businesses are not required to follow the standard, the DTI said it serves as an important roadmap for companies that want to help protect communities from the effects of climate change.

The DTI’s Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) said it will continue developing standards that improve product quality, protect consumers, and help industries compete globally while becoming more sustainable.

Copies of the standard are available through the DTI-BPS Standards Data Center in Makati City. More information can also be found through the official DTI-BPS Facebook page at DTI-BPS Facebook page and the DTI-BPS website.

In a news release, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), citing preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), said exports grew by 20.4% from US$6.78 billion in March last year.

The March figure marked the strongest monthly export performance since the PSA’s International Merchandise Trade Statistics series began in 1991.

From January to March 2026, total exports reached US$22.70 billion, up by 12.7% from US$20.14 billion in the same period last year, representing the second-highest quarterly growth performance in more than four years.

DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque said the country’s push toward higher-value products and market diversification helped exporters remain resilient amid evolving global conditions.

“March’s export performance demonstrates that the government’s drive towards higher value products in high-performing industries like electronics while expanding market opportunities with targeted and strategic trade and investment promotion initiatives are helping exporters adapt to evolving global conditions and translating to export gains,” Secretary Roque said.

Electronic products remained the country’s top export, generating US$4.82 billion and accounting for 59% of total exports.

Industry sources said sustained global demand for semiconductor components used in artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and electric vehicles continued to drive growth in the electronics sector, reinforcing the Philippines’ role in global electronics value chains, particularly in assembly, testing, and packaging services.

The Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc. is projecting the industry to grow by around 5% in 2026 and surpass US$50 billion in exports despite global trade uncertainties and geopolitical tensions.

The United States remained the Philippines’ largest export market at US$1.40 billion, followed by Hong Kong at US$1.30 billion and Japan at US$962.41 million. China retained its position as the fourth-largest export destination with US$956.77 million in shipments.

Non-electronic exports showed mixed results, with machinery and transport equipment, mineral products, and gold posting gains due to sustained industrial demand.

However, some agricultural exporters began feeling the impact of the Middle East conflict, particularly through shipping disruptions.

Industry stakeholders reported declines in banana exports to the Middle East due to maritime disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions in the region.

Processed tropical fruits and coconut-based products continued to see generally stable demand, although some exporters cited raw material and supply-side challenges affecting selected products such as calamansi and coconut oil.

Held virtually on March 5 to 6, the two half-day sessions focused on ISO 15189:2022, a globally recognized benchmark for quality and competence in medical laboratories. The activity gathered representatives from PAB-accredited Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) across the Philippines.

The orientation sought to deepen laboratories’ understanding of accreditation requirements and help align their operations with updated international standards — seen as critical to ensuring accurate test results, effective treatment, and stronger public health protection.

At the opening of the program, Jenebert P. Opinion of PAB outlined the bureau’s mandate and services, emphasizing the role of accreditation in ensuring laboratory reliability, safeguarding patient safety, and maintaining confidence in healthcare systems.

Serving as resource speaker, Marienella P. Galit of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine shared technical guidance on the structure and implementation of ISO 15189, drawing from her experience in laboratory quality management and assessments.

Participants engaged in discussions on practical laboratory applications, as well as the challenges and opportunities in complying with evolving global requirements.

PAB said the initiative forms part of its broader push to enhance the competence of laboratories and reinforce accreditation as a cornerstone of quality assurance in the country’s healthcare system.

As the Philippines’ national accreditation body under the Department of Trade and Industry, PAB evaluates and accredits organizations that test, inspect, and certify products and services. Its work ensures that laboratory results and certifications are technically sound, impartial, and widely accepted both locally and abroad.

By aligning with international frameworks such as ISO/IEC 17011, PAB helps boost trust in Philippine-issued test results — an advantage for both public health and export competitiveness.

Officials noted that strengthening laboratory standards has real-world impact, from more reliable medical diagnoses to increased global acceptance of Philippine products, reducing the need for duplicate testing.

The orientation also served as a platform to strengthen collaboration among accredited institutions, with PAB reaffirming its commitment to continuous learning, knowledge exchange, and improving the country’s quality infrastructure.

Through sustained training and engagement, the bureau aims to help laboratories achieve operational excellence and deliver safer, more dependable services to the public.

The grant will finance the Promoting Growth, Resilience, Economic Stability and Sustainability in the Philippines (PROGRESS) Program, Australia’s flagship initiative aimed at supporting inclusive and climate-resilient economic growth in the country.

Under the program, funds will be used to reduce barriers to doing business, support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), strengthen government institutions, and advance reforms in key sectors such as energy transition and critical minerals.

The Subsidiary Arrangement for PROGRESS was signed by Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go and Australian Ambassador Marc Innes-Brown.

The DOF said the grant is designed to address long-standing challenges, including slow formal job creation, income inequality, and systemic barriers affecting women, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups, while also helping the country navigate global uncertainties and climate risks.

A key component of the program is support for private sector growth, particularly through easing regulatory bottlenecks and expanding SME investments in clean energy, climate mitigation, and other high-growth sectors.

The program will also provide technical assistance to build institutional capacity, climate finance mechanisms to mobilize investments, and a Strategic Activities Fund (SAF) to support research, innovation, and targeted reforms.

Implementation will be overseen by the DOF in partnership with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with support from key Philippine agencies including the Anti-Red Tape Authority, Department of Energy, Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development.

The DOF said the initiative is expected to translate into more quality jobs, stronger businesses, and a more resilient Philippine economy.

This was highlighted during the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrances Association of the Philippines (CTFAP) Summit 2026 held at Acacia Hotel in Alabang from March 11 to 12, where industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders gathered to map out the future of the personal care industry.

Representing DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque, Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona emphasized the government’s continued commitment to strengthening the sector, particularly its many MSMEs.

She underscored the Department’s role in fostering a business environment that encourages innovation, competitiveness, and sustainability among Filipino enterprises. She emphasized that the DTI remains steadfast in supporting the cosmetics, toiletries, and fragrances industry by providing programs and services that help businesses navigate regulatory requirements, enhance product quality, adopt digital technologies, and expand their market reach.

Lantayona noted that MSMEs remain the backbone of the Philippine economy. Citing a 2024 Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report, she said approximately 99.63% of registered businesses in the country are MSMEs, generating 66% of total employment.

Many players in the beauty and personal care sector, she added, started as small, homegrown ventures and have since evolved into competitive brands serving both local and international markets.

Recognizing this potential, the DTI continues to roll out initiatives aimed at strengthening value chains, ensuring compliance with industry standards, and helping enterprises compete in an increasingly innovation-driven global marketplace.

These efforts are especially critical in the personal care industry, where product development, safety compliance, and branding are key to building consumer trust and expanding market opportunities.

The Department’s programs are aligned with Secretary Roque’s Five-Point Strategic Agenda for MSMEs, which focuses on accelerating e-commerce and digitalization, promoting innovation-driven product development, advancing sustainability and green practices, strengthening entrepreneurial capacity, and expanding market access across ASEAN and beyond.

DTI also underscored the importance of continued collaboration with industry groups such as CTFAP to ensure Filipino beauty brands remain competitive, compliant with international standards, and responsive to evolving consumer demands.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its E-Commerce Bureau (ECB), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Direct Selling Association of the Philippines (DSAP) on March 17, 2026, establishing a coordinated effort to curb unauthorized online selling and promote a safer digital marketplace.

The agreement, signed at Discovery Suites in Ortigas Center, Pasig City, focuses on protecting consumers from illegitimate sellers while supporting legitimate businesses that comply with fair trade standards.

Under the partnership, both parties will collaborate on information sharing, consumer education, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening accountability and trust in online transactions.

DTI ECB Director Atty. Eryl Royce R. Nagtalon underscored that safeguarding consumers in the digital economy requires shared responsibility.

“This partnership with DSAP is a recognition that effective e-commerce governance requires collaboration. The government cannot do this alone,” Atty. Nagtalon said.

He stressed that beyond addressing unauthorized sellers, the broader goal is to restore confidence in online platforms.

“The goal of this partnership is not only to address unauthorized online selling of direct selling companies’ products, more importantly, this is about building trust in the digital marketplace,” he added.

The initiative is aligned with Republic Act No. 11967, or the Internet Transactions Act, which mandates the DTI to strengthen consumer protection and ensure fair competition in e-commerce.

For its part, DSAP said the agreement reinforces the need for ethical business practices as more companies shift to digital platforms.

“This partnership between DSAP and the DTI E-Commerce Bureau reflects a shared vision of a digital marketplace built on trust, accountability, and responsible innovation,” said DSAP Chairman Joey Sarmiento.

“As the direct selling industry continues to embrace digital platforms, collaboration between the private sector and government is essential to safeguard consumers, protect legitimate businesses, and elevate the standards of e-commerce in the Philippines,” he added.

The DTI said it will continue working with industry stakeholders to ensure that the country’s digital marketplace remains safe, fair, and trustworthy for consumers.

The assurance came during the President’s inspection of the Laguna distribution center of Century Pacific Food Inc., the country’s largest canned food manufacturer, where both government officials and company executives reported adequate inventory and production capacity.

“Ang supply ay hindi kailangan na mag-alala ang taong-bayan. Ang food supply natin ay sapat kahit na pangmatagalan,” President Marcos said.

“At bukod pa roon ay sila naman ay pumapayag na to keep the prices na hindi tataas ang presyo hangga’t kaya nila. Kaya siguro mga isang buwan, ‘yung iba baka dalawang buwan hindi magagalaw ‘yung presyo,” the President added.

Marcos said the visit forms part of broader efforts to ensure sufficient supply and keep prices stable through closer coordination with manufacturers, processors, and suppliers. He noted that other industry players have similarly assured the government of ample food stocks.

To reinforce this, the President directed the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to maintain constant communication with food manufacturers and closely monitor supply and pricing nationwide.

“Ang directive is to constantly communicate with the manufacturers and the different industries to make sure that there will be enough supply para sa taumbayan,” DTI Secretary Maria Cristina Roque said during the visit.

Roque said the DTI has been conducting rounds of grocery stores and manufacturing facilities, including Century Pacific, to ensure sufficient supply of basic necessities and prime commodities for at least one to two months.

“So far, wala pa, and we’ve been monitoring on a daily basis, because we have a department in DTI that handles this particular scenario. So we have 18 regional offices from region one to region 18,” she said, when asked about possible hoarding.

“Nakatututok po kami dito sa groceries and supermarkets to make sure that there is no price increase for basic necessities and prime commodities.”

Century Pacific, which produces canned tuna and sardines, corned beef, and processed milk products, said it has sufficient inventory and production capacity despite global disruptions driven by geopolitical tensions.

The company noted that while such developments can trigger volatility in oil, shipping, and commodity costs, it has managed similar challenges in the past through disciplined planning, diversified sourcing, and strong operational execution.

It currently operates seven manufacturing hubs and 26 warehouses nationwide, including its Laguna distribution center, which has a storage capacity of 1.1 million cases, or around 36 million cans of food.

The President said the government will continue to monitor food supply and prices to ensure food sufficiency and protect the public interest amid evolving global challenges.

In a press briefing following the 32nd ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat in Taguig City, DTI Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty said the AEM agreed to hasten the completion of the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), which allows ASEAN Member States to provide petroleum supplies to neighbors facing shortages of at least 10 percent of their national domestic requirement.

“Well, in the statement, the economic ministers agreed and called for the advancement of the finalization of the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement, together, of course, with the achievement of our deliverables on ASEAN Power Grid,” Gepty said, referring to the joint statement issued by the AEM during the Retreat.

“So, basically the current situation will now call ASEAN Member States to fast-track that agreement,” Gepty said, noting that the regional bloc may act on it “at the soonest possible time.”

The original APSA was first signed in Manila in 1986, establishing a framework for Member States to share petroleum supplies.

In 2009, a modernized version was signed in Cha-am, Thailand that introduces the “10% critical shortage” rule and a focus on voluntary, commercial-based assistance.

In October 2025, the agreement was renewed at the 43rd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, keeping the safety net active through 2026 and expanding cooperation to include natural gas, considering Southeast Asia’s growing reliance on liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The AEM warned that ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are causing volatility in global oil and LNG markets, posing risks to economic stability across Southeast Asia.

Disruptions in key supply routes, such as the Strait of Hormuz, and rising international energy costs could affect trade, production, and transportation throughout the region.

To address these challenges, the AEM stressed the need to prioritize energy diversification, including renewable and alternative sources such as biofuels, and promote more efficient energy use.

The AEM emphasized stronger regional coordination, including contingency reserves and collaboration with ASEAN Dialogue Partners, to ensure an uninterrupted energy supply.

The AEM highlighted the importance of advancing other regional initiatives, such as the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) Enhanced Memorandum of Understanding and the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline (TAGP), to ensure stable, secure, sustainable, and resilient energy connectivity and supply.

ASEAN is highly vulnerable to Middle East tensions, as most of its crude oil and a significant share of its LNG are imported from Gulf nations.

At a press briefing, DTI Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty said that the annual retreat allows the Philippines to set regional priorities, advance initiatives that support national interests, and strengthen economic cooperation with ASEAN’s partners.

“On the retreat proper, the Philippines participation both as AEM Chair and AEM Philippine Lead, provides a good opportunity to reaffirm our steadfast commitment to advancing a more resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centered ASEAN,” Gepty said.

Among key areas to be discussed during the Retreat are the Philippine Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs), which Gepty described as the highlight of the meeting.

“The PEDs cover a diverse range of areas of trade such as energy, agriculture, strategic trade management, MSMEs, and artificial intelligence, and ASEAN’s efforts to advance the sustainable and green agenda,” Gepty said.

One key PED is Greener Future – Implementation of the Regional Investment Promotion Action Plan 2025-2030, which Gepty said aims to make ASEAN a single destination for sustainable investment, accelerate green transition, and promote inclusive growth.

Another major deliverable is the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), the region’s most comprehensive agreement on digital economy and e-commerce.

“It aims to create a digital environment that is open, secure, interoperable, competitive, and inclusive,” Gepty said.

Gepty also cited the ASEAN Semiconductor Roadmap, which aims to strengthen regional value chains, develop skilled workers, and position ASEAN as a global hub for semiconductor investment.

Other PEDs include the ASEAN Center of Excellence for Creative Industries (ACE–CI), the ASEAN Center of Excellence for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, and energy initiatives under the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) to improve energy connectivity.

The Retreat will also discuss a Leaders’ Declaration on Strategic Trade Management for Secure Regional Trade to regulate trade in sensitive goods and technologies, particularly those that can be used as biological weapons and weapons of mass destruction.

“Strategic Trade Management will ensure that these goods will not fall into the wrong hands. A robust Strategic Trade Management increases the trust of foreign investors and companies, secures access to strategic technologies, and protects high-value sectors of the country,” Gepty said.

Recognizing that the Retreat comes at a critical time amid recent global developments, Gepty said, “ASEAN remains central to these developments, and plays a vital role in shaping the global economy. Thus, showing our united resolve as we navigate our future is a strength in itself.”