MANILA, Philippines – INAPRUBAHAN ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. ang panukalang five-year extension ng isang automotive incentives program kung saan dalawang manufacturers ang kasalukuyang nagpapartisipa.
“The extension of the six-year Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program will “continue to provide incentives and support for manufacturers that meet specific requirements in terms of investment, production, and technology development,” ayon sa Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) sa isang kalatas.
Ang PSAC, grupong binubuo ng mga lider ng pribadong kompanya na may kinalaman sa infrastructure sector, nagsagawa ng pag-anunsyo matapos ang pakikipagpulong kay Pangulong Marcos, araw ng Huwebes.
“CARS will also continue to provide significant employment opportunities as well as the foundation for the future development of the economy,” ayon sa grupo.
Ang P27-billion CARS program, ipinakilala sa pamamagitan ng 2015 executive order (EO), binigyan ang mga manufacturers ng six-year period para makapag- produce ng 200,000 units para sa kada enrolled car types upang makapag-avail ng insentibo.
Tanging ang Toyota at Mitsubishi lamang ang sumali sa programa. Ang Toyota ang nag- produce ng the Vios compact car habang ang Mitsubishi naman ang nag-produce ng Mirage model. Ang Toyota ay mayroon lamang ng hanggang 2024 para matupad ang commitments nito habang ang deadline naman ng Mitsubishi ay ngayong taon ng 2023.
“It was implemented to make the Philippines at par with regional rivals and lift its shrinking car output, which was the lowest in Southeast Asia months before the EO was issued,” ayon sa ulat.
“CARS has demonstrated its effectiveness and value as a high-end manufacturing operation which has greatly helped in the creation of jobs, transfer technology, and boost global competitiveness by supporting domestic auto manufacturing and stimulating investment,” ayon naman sa PSAC.
Habang tumaas ang benta ng mga bagong sasakyan ng 21.8% noong Abril, ang month-on-month decline na 16.9% ay naitala sa kaparehong buwan, ang una simula ng 20.8% drop na nakita noong Enero.
“The auto sector was hit hard by the pandemic, which forced the government to impose import safeguards on passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in 2021,” ayon pa rin sa ulat.
Samantala, nag-lobby naman ang PSAC para sa paglikha ng Motorcycle Micro Business Program sa pamamagitan ng presidential order para i- empower ang “nanopreneurs” sa motorcycle industry.
“The program aims to create over two million jobs for riders and “provide access to transform their livelihoods, becoming platform self-entrepreneurs,” ayon sa grupo.
“While waiting for the passage of the law, PSAC is seeking a nationwide expansion via Executive Order.” ayon sa ulat. Kris Jose
