DTI urges private sector to speed up digital shift

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina A. Roque called on the private sector to accelerate digital transformation, stressing it as a national priority under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Speaking at the 51st Philippine Business Conference & Expo (PBC&E) Media Launch on August 18, Roque said the Philippines must act with urgency to compete in the global economy.

“The digital age is no longer a distant horizon, it is the ground we stand on,” Roque said.

“We must adapt aggressively and urgently because this is what our country needs, especially as we are 7,600 islands competing in a world that is already digital,” she added.

Roque explained that digitalization is central to DTI’s three mandates: promoting trade and investments, strengthening consumer protection, and supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

She said digital tools can widen market access for businesses, safeguard consumers in online transactions, and help MSMEs become globally competitive.

The trade chief noted that the Philippines’ steady economic performance—driven by export growth, rising foreign investments, and consistent Gross Domestic Product expansion—underscores the country’s potential in the digital economy.

Roque said the government has laid the groundwork for digitalization but emphasized that private sector involvement is key to accelerating progress.

“Our success depends on the strength of our partnership with the private sector. The government can set the stage, but it is your collective vision, courage, and action that will truly unleash the power of digital transformation,” she told business leaders.

With three years left in the Marcos administration, she urged companies to work with DTI in advancing policies and initiatives aligned with the “Bagong Pilipinas” vision to ensure businesses, particularly MSMEs, can thrive in a digital-driven economy.

Organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the 51st PBC&E adopted the theme “The Future Is Now: Unleash the Power of Digital Transformation” to highlight technology’s role as a driver of national growth.

The annual conference is set to gather policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to craft strategies that strengthen the Philippines’ competitiveness in the digital age.