The Philippines is poised to produce a “robust talent pool” of semiconductor professionals by 2028 with the support from the US under its CHIPS Act, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Monday.
President Marcos noted that the Philippines is expected to produce around 128,000 semiconductor engineers and technicians who would meet the demand of technology in the coming years.
“So, with the potential support from the United States under the CHIPS Act, we are poised to churn out a robust talent pool of 128,000 semiconductor engineers and technicians by the year 2028, ready to meet the expanding needs of high-technology industries,” Marcos said in his address during the courtesy call of the US government and Presidential Trade and Investment Mission (PTIM) delegation in Malacañang.
President Marcos made mention of the CHIPS Act which authorizes new funding to boost research and manufacturing of semiconductors in the US.
The semiconductor and electronics sector is the top performer in merchandise exports for the Philippines, accounting to about 60 percent of the total merchandise exports.
President Marcos said this volume attests to the quality of the Filipino workforce being “young, highly skilled, fast learners, creative, productive, adaptable to diverse cultures.”
The chief executive added the Philippines is ready to support US companies in their research and development endeavors, as well as other support operations.
“With our standing proposition to the US semiconductor companies to invest in a laboratory-scale wafer fabrication facility in the Philippines, we can support the R&D (research and development), and advanced assembly, packaging, and test requirements of U.S. companies that are into semiconductors and electronics manufacturing services,” Marcos said.
“This would enable Filipino professionals to create prototypes and tape-outs of integrated circuits, actively engaging in the development of cutting-edge, high-value products and services, thereby contributing to the advancement of a technology-driven economy.” PND
