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The most common questions
What is FPI?
FPI means the Federation of Philippine Industries.
What is the composition of the FPI membership?
FPI is the umbrella organization in the Philippines of manufacturers and producers of various products ranging from agricultural & food products (rice, flour, sugar, coconut & palm oil, oleo chemicals, seeds, feeds, broilers, hogs, beverages & wine, ice cream, confectionery), petroleum and petrochemical products, construction materials (cement, steel products, galvanized roofing, electrical wiring, pipes, nails, wires, ceramic tiles, sanitary wares, wood, & flat glass, paint), packaging & paper products (tinplates, tin cans, & paper), textile & garment products, firearms, cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, rubber, spare parts, medicine, lead acid batteries, chemicals, plastics, fertilizers, appliances, tobacco & cigarettes, animated signs, transformers, power & energy, among others.
Why was FPI organized?
In 1990, Malacañang issued Executive Order No. 413, arbitrarily lowering all the tariffs of all industrial and agricultural products by approximately half of the then existing rates. Due to its dire consequences on the viability of their respective local industries, multi-sectoral group consisting of heads of industrial firms, producers, and industry association from all sectors grouped together and pooled their resources and decided to file a case in the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of the said E.O 413.
Sensing that the EO is constitutionally flawed, as the President is only allowed under the law to raise the tariff on a selective basis but not across the board when congress is in recess, Malacañang withdrew E.O. 413 and left it to congress to study the tariffs. Hence, the case in the Supreme Court – became moot and academic.
However, when Malacañang replaced E.O. 413 with 470, and the group noted the set of fiscal policies being prepared to accelerate engagement in global free-trade, the multi-sectoral group which include members of the PCCI, who realized that they could not get a definitive stand from their organization on issues like this since it is composed of varied groups with conflicting interest, saw the importance of formal organization – this time, an entity which will readily address the exclusive concerns of the producer as well as the manufacturing sector to be globally competitive.
When was FPI formally organized?
In 1990, Multi-Sectoral groups composed of local manufacturers banded together to protect the existence of the vibrant local manufacturing industries. When the various groups thereafter realized the need to continue and form an organization, the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) was officially registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on January 24, 1991, with fifteen (15) industry leaders as incorporators.
What comprises the FPI membership?
Membership is by Industry Association or Corporation
What is the requirement to become an FPI member?
The Industry Association or Corporation must be engaged in Manufacturing or Producer of products in the Philippines.
Is an organization that is not a manufacturer or producer of products can become an FPI member?
Yes, they may become an FPI Associate Member, however, they will not have voting rights.
How is the Board of Directors of FPI elected since the membership is by Industry Association or Corporation?
The Board of Directors of the Federation of Philippine Industries is composed of fifteen (15) directors. Eight of the Directors are elected by the members in Industry Associations while seven (7) are elected by the Corporation members.
What is FPI in the supply chain?
FPI member manufacturers and producers have interlinked relationships with their respective supply chain. A manufacturer of corned beef for example needs beef and other ingredients, tin cans, labeling materials, corrugated boxes, delivery vehicles and other logistics, to produce the product and deliver the same to the groceries and consumers.
What are the advocacies of FPI?
The advocacies of the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) include Fight-Illicit Trade (Fight-IT) covering all forms of smuggling, environment, power & energy, labor & productivity, international trade policy, fiscal incentives, competition policy, sustainable development, academe, food & agro, intellectual property rights, buy-pinoy buy-local, products standard, good government, among others.
What are the priority goals of FPI?
- Reduce costs of doing businesses: leveling the playing field by ensuring parity internally and externally so that the country’s globalization policy can be supported, including the provision of safety nets.
- Proactively propose legislation to enhance economic development.
- Continue and improve in informing members and the public about economic issues/policies which affect business directions.
- Ensure competitive prices.
- Promote exports through strong domestic performance in quality and availability or products: FROM LOCAL TO GLOBAL.
- Openly champion fair labor practices.
How does FPI serves its stakeholders and members?
The FPI, through its Board of Directors, Officers, Task Forces and Secretariat, serves its stakeholders, most especially its members, by means of:
- ADVOCACY
- NETWORKING
- PROVISION OF INFORMATION
- WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
FPI has tirelessly carried out its advocacy work on many issues, e.g., ilicit trade/smuggling, tariffs, power, environment, competition policy, industry policy, food and agro-industry, international trade policy and on many fronts such as Congress, the Office of the President, the various Executive Departments, etc.
The FPI continues to carry on its all-important work of advocacy by:
- preparing position papers on issues that vitally effect industry;
- attending congressional committee hearings and floor debates on relevant legislation; and
- networking with key sectors of Philippine society to promote business and industry: other business sectors, government, labour, media, consumers and academe.
In today’s world, information is vital to the success of business and industry. In this area, FPI:
- alerts members regarding current developments which vitally affect them such as proposed legislation and the status of such legislation and the status of such legislation in Congress, Executive Orders, etc.
- builds up database on key concerns such as tariffs, dumping, international agreements, etc., and
- disseminates information to its members via computer link up and its weekly newsletter, and to the public by means of periodic press conferences and interviews.
