The Federation of Philippine Industries has urged the government to include the “Buy Pinoy” campaign in its stimulus plan as some American industries are also pushing for their own “Buy American” slogan amid the global financial crisis.

FPI president Jesus Arranza said the government should work with the private sector in launching a massive campaign that would urge consumers, state agencies, and corporations to prioritize Philippine-made products.

Even steel manufacturers in the US have appealed to Washington to include “Buy America” in its stimulus plan, he said.

In fact, Arranza said the Philippines is way ahead of the US because President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has already signed Administrative Order 227, mandating all government agencies to prioritize locally-made products in their procurements.

All the government needs to do is to make sure that this is fully implemented now that the Arroyo administration is preparing a huge funding for infrastructure projects to pump prime the economy, he said.

Arranza said the use of construction materials that are made in the Philippines should be a must for these projects.*PNA

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