The newly created Bulacan Industry Development Council (BIDC) will boost the development of the top 10 local industries in the province.
These include jewelry, pyrotechnics, leathercraft, marble and marbleized limestone, aquaculture, meat and meat products, garments, high-value crops, sweets and native delicacies, and the creative sector.
Department of Trade and Industry OIC-Assistant Regional Director and concurrent Bulacan Provincial Director Edna Dizon said the BIDC, created through Executive Order No. 29 of Governor Daniel Fernando, will serve as catalyst for synchronizing and integrating the efforts of the province in strengthening and enhancing the competitiveness of local industries.
“The establishment of BIDC is timely now that the province’s economy is industry-based,” she added.
Last year, the Philippine Statistics Authority announced that Bulacan is now industry-based for the first time, having transitioned from an agricultural and service-based economy in the past.
This is evidenced by the leading contribution of manufacturing to the province’s economy.
Construction followed due to big-ticket infrastructure projects such as the New Manila International Airport, North-South Commuter Railway System, Metro Rail Transit 7, and Plaridel Bypass Road expansion and extension, as well as the continuous growth of the real estate.
Dizon, who serves as the council’s Vice Chairperson, explained that BIDC will address the challenges faced by various industries that affect their productivity.
These include lack of workforce needed to produce products for the growing market and limited supply of raw materials necessary for production.
“Coffee industry is an example. There is a high demand yet few are harvesting and production is limited,” she shared.
The issue of African Swine Fever is also one reason why pork prices are rising which leads to limited local supply.
Meanwhile, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Provincial Director Angelita Parungao mentioned that the establishment of BIDC would also open more opportunities to address shortages.
To revive the leathercraft industry in Bulacan, DOST is promoting the use of rabbit skin as an alternative raw material.
“With the growing rabbit production, it can be an alternative to expensive pigskin, cowhide, goat skin, and crocodile leather which cause water pollution,” she pressed.
Moreover, Provincial Agriculturist Gloria Carillo said more training activities for farmers and fisherfolks are expected through BIDC.
“The equipment and machinery provided by the government must be fully utilized. There are instances where the government provided dryers for rice and coffee farmers, but they still preferred to dry their produce on the road,” she pointed out.
In line with this, the agencies and institutions part of the BIDC agreed to draft a new Bulacan Industry Development Plan aligned with the 2023-2028 Philippine Development Plan. (PIA Region 3-Bulacan)
