The Automotive Body Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (ABMAP) has expressed its strong support for the Department of Trade and Industry’s newly launched Tatak Pinoy Seal, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening Philippine manufacturing and building globally competitive Filipino industries.
ABMAP participated in the recently concluded Tatak Pinoy Expo 2026 at the SMX Convention Center, where the association showcased the capabilities of the local automotive body building sector alongside other proudly Filipino industries.
The Tatak Pinoy Seal was officially unveiled by Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque during the opening of the three-day expo. The initiative forms part of the implementation of Republic Act No. 11981, or the Tatak Pinoy Act, which institutionalizes the country’s first national industrial policy aimed at enhancing competitiveness, creating quality jobs, and moving Philippine industries higher up the global value chain.
The DTI projects that the Tatak Pinoy strategy could generate as much as ₱7.04 trillion in economic output, create 11.13 million jobs, and contribute ₱837.39 billion in government revenues by 2040.
For ABMAP, the program aligns closely with the association’s long-standing advocacy of developing local manufacturing capabilities and promoting value-added production in the Philippines.
“ABMAP fully supports the vision of the Tatak Pinoy Act and the leadership of Secretary Cristina Roque in advancing a stronger and more competitive manufacturing sector,” said Edgar Manuel, Executive Director of ABMAP.
“The Philippine automotive body building industry is a perfect example of Filipino ingenuity, engineering, and craftsmanship. Our members design and manufacture world-class products ranging from refrigerated vans and rescue vehicles to dump trucks, fire trucks, transport solutions, and specialized commercial vehicles. Programs like Tatak Pinoy give local manufacturers the recognition and support needed to compete not only in the domestic market but also in the global marketplace.”
Manuel noted that ABMAP’s member companies collectively employ thousands of skilled Filipino workers and support a broad network of suppliers, fabricators, engineers, and service providers across the country.
He added that strengthening local manufacturing is critical to achieving the economic goals envisioned under the Tatak Pinoy program.
“When we support Filipino manufacturing, we create jobs, develop technical skills, strengthen supply chains, and generate investments that stay within the country. Tatak Pinoy sends a strong message that the Philippines is ready to build, innovate, and compete with the best in the world.”
ABMAP reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with the DTI and other government agencies in advancing industrial development policies that will enable Philippine manufacturers to expand, innovate, and contribute to national economic growth.
As the country pushes forward with its industrialization agenda, ABMAP believes that initiatives such as Tatak Pinoy will help position Filipino-made products and Filipino manufacturing excellence at the forefront of regional and global markets.
