I am not an economist. I don’t sit in international conferences. I’ve never been invited to trade negotiations, nor do I claim to understand every chart or graph flashed on Bloomberg or ANC.
But I do pay attention. I read the news. I observe people and try to make sense of what’s happening around me—and sometimes, I wonder: when governments start throwing around words like “tariff” or “sanctions,” what does that mean to folks like us?
Recently, headlines spoke of the United States imposing tariffs on imported goods—including, possibly, products from the Philippines. At first, it felt like another distant international move. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized: this affects us more than we think.
Tariff? Tax lang ‘yan, di ba?
A tariff is a tax imposed on imported goods. If America starts taxing Philippine-made products, it makes them more expensive for U.S. buyers. And when that happens, they might say, “Huwag na lang, too pricey.” So they buy from somewhere else. That means fewer orders for us. And fewer orders mean less production, fewer jobs, and less income.
This isn’t just happening to the Philippines. Other exporting countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and even some in Europe are also affected. But that doesn’t make our own situation any less urgent.
Clark, Cebu, and the Ripple Effect of a Tariff
Let’s say America adds a tariff on Philippine-made dried mangoes—a well-loved export found in U.S. supermarkets from California to New York. At first glance, it seems like just a business issue. But look closer, and you’ll see a ripple effect that touches real lives.
In Cebu, Guimaras, or Laguna, mango farmers might get fewer orders. With a surplus of fruit and no buyers, prices drop—and so does income. Deliveries slow down. Production lines cut shifts. Exporters feel the pinch. Everything, from packing to logistics, begins to tighten. Even small businesses that depend on these industries are affected—drivers, vendors, sari-sari stores, and local suppliers.
And in our towns and cities? When export earnings decline, dollar inflow drops, the peso weakens, and prices go up. Suddenly, your fuel, tuition, and even grocery items cost more. All because of one added tax—on mangoes.
Now imagine that same ripple spreading to other industries:
Electronics in Clark. Garments in Batangas. Furniture in Pampanga. Coconut oil from Quezon. Tuna in General Santos.
These aren’t minor ripples. They are waves. And they reach all of us.
So What Can Our Government Do?
We may not be able to retaliate like bigger economies, but we can take smart, strategic action:
Government must: 1). Offer support packages for exporters hit by tariff hikes—tax breaks, energy subsidies, or transport incentives. 2). Negotiate new or updated trade agreements through DTI and DFA to open doors in Europe, the Middle East, and ASEAN. 3). Encourage value-added processing, so we export high-quality, high-value goods—not just raw materials.
And we, the people, can:
We may not wear suits or carry briefcases, but we have purchasing power—and more importantly, patriotic power:
Buy Filipino-made goods, from snacks and school supplies to homegrown gadgets.
Support our farmers by choosing local rice, fruits, and vegetables.
Promote local brands online.
Teach our kids to take pride in “Made in the Philippines.”
Every time we support Filipino businesses; we strengthen the country’s backbone.
Support Local: 5 Things You Can Do Today
Buy Filipino-made products, especially from MSMEs
Choose local produce over imported ones
Follow and promote local brands online
Join or organize a community “buy local” campaign
Encourage kids to appreciate Pinoy-made talent and tech
Small steps lead to big change.
Final Thought: Let’s Shake Off the Old Thinking
We may not be seated at the trade negotiation table, but we are still stakeholders in the Philippine economy. A tariff may be a political move abroad, but it affects livelihoods right here at home.
And while we may not be able to “fight back,” we can fight smart. We can fight together.
We can make our economy more resilient.
We can help our exporters stay afloat.
We can show the world that Filipino products are not only competitive—but proudly supported by their own people.
And maybe—just maybe—it’s time we shed the colonial mentality that only U.S. or foreign-branded products are better.
Because every time we choose local, every time we say “Tatak Pinoy is world-class,” we’re not just making a purchase—we’re making a statement.
A statement that says: We trust our own. We believe in Filipino quality. We are not just buyers—we are builders.
As always, may our eureka moments lead us to hope, courage, and a deeper sense of shared responsibility—because the Philippines will only rise if we rise together.