Pilipino ako, Bumibili ng Gawang Pinoy

Blogger's Note: Some time back, somebody emailed me an article on buying Philippine made goods which I am adding to this blog. Most of our neighboring countries buy and support their own goods. It is almost impossible to see imported cars in Japan and South Korea. Thais buy goods made in their own country. Because of our colonial mentality (300 years under Spain, 50 years under the USA and 5 years under Japan), we seem to prefer to buy products made in other countries, and look down on products made in the Philippines. It is high time for us to change that attitude. We not only save our precious dollars when buying Philippine made products but also encourage Philippine businesses to stay and invest in our country. It means more jobs for the rest of us. So when you buying products, check the label and make sure you buy Philippine Made Products. Bilhin ang Tatak Pinoy (or Buy Pinoy for some). 8-)

*Save jobs, buy Philippine-made*

For those Filipinos who are sincerely looking for a way to help the poor in this country, there is a simple and direct way, which will yield immediate benefits. This is the time to help save jobs and reduce poverty by buying only products manufactured in the Philippines.This is the time to stop patronizing products made by companies like Caltex and Colgate Palmolive which have decided to "abandon" this country. This is not a call for ultra nationalism. This is a simple call for all of us to help in overcoming our greatest economic challenge which is the alleviation of poverty.I realize that there are many people who are legally citizens of this country, but who do not feel any obligation to help its people. In fact, there are those who do not even have a sense of kinship or solidarity with the Filipino poor.However, I continue to believe that the majority of Filipinos remain proud of their heritage and feel that helping the poor is a mission and not a social burden.At the same time, this is not an unreasonable demand because this not a crusade to patronize only Filipino companies. Let me repeat that I am simply saying that Filipinos should buy products made in Philippine-based factories that are employing Filipino workers.For example, why should Filipinos patronize Caltex which closed down its refinery and is now importing its products? It makes more economic sense to patronize Petron and Shell which have made major investments in this country and continue to provide jobs for Filipinos. I am sure everyone will agree that Petron and Shell products are just as good as Caltex (Blogger's Note: Shell is contemplating on closing down its refinery. Check the business section of your favorite paper for updates from time to time). The Colgate products sold in the Philippines are made in Thailand. Every time you buy these, you help the Thai economy (Blogger's Note: Always check the labels first. Colgate-Palmolive shampoo and cleaning products are still made in the Philippines whereas soaps of Johnson and Johnson is made in the Philippines while their shampoos are made in Malaysia and Thailand. Unilever soaps are made in Indonesia.)

However, when you patronize Hapee and Unilever products, you are helping to employ more Filipinos and are contributing to the Philippine economy. I also believe that a genuine movement to buy Philippines will encourage foreign investments because it will assure them of a domestic market. It will also send a signal to foreign companies that any company wishing to exploit the Philippine market must not close down its operations in this country.We are all so involved now in raising funds and other necessities for the flood victims who are hungry and do not have any decent shelter. But we have millions of Filipinos who are not flood victims and yet do not have access to the basic necessities of life.More and more, we hear of increasing crimes. More street children and social unrest. The solution is not more relief goods or charity. The only real solution is giving the poor JOBS. Today we hear of more employment opportunities in the sunrise industries like IT and call centers. But this will mean jobs only for those who need the least assistance -- the graduates of schools like De La Salle, UP and Ateneo.It is the poor who desperately need jobs which only the agriculture and manufacturing sectors can provide in sufficient numbers.

A few years ago, Raul Concepcion came out with a message that is still so relevant today. He said, "Now is the time for everyone to rally behind the country and the economy. Buying local is not just simply an act of nationalism. It is an act of survival." I hope those of us who continue to love our nation and its people can help create jobs for the poor by buying products made in the Philippines by Filipino workers.