Harnessing digital transformation and sustainability efforts for the semiconductor and electronics industry in the Philippines

22 November 2022

The semiconductor and electronics industry is the largest contributor in the Philippine manufacturing sector. According to the Semiconductor Electronics Industry Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI), the cumulative electronics exports reached USD 19 billion as of May 2022 which accounts for 59.60% of the total Philippine exports making it a vital component in the country's economic growth.

Similar to other industries, the semiconductor and electronics industry are also faced with challenges related to digital trust and sustainability. The further transition to a digital world has exposed new vulnerabilities, which will only grow as technologies evolve and become more complex.

In the Philippines during the pre-pandemic, Microsoft and IDC Asia Pacific conducted a survey on Understanding Consumer Trust in Digital Services in Asia Pacific with 454 consumer respondents. It was revealed that only 44% of consumers in the country have confidence in digital trust - dividing it into five elements; privacy, security, reliability, ethics, and compliance (Microsoft Philippines Communications Team, 2019).

Nowadays, companies in various industries employ multiple approaches to provide digital security and build digital trust. Narrowing down to the Philippine market, there are approximately 66% of organizations that have implemented new security technology and 39% invested on security training.

“It is evident that Philippine businesses would need to continue to transform their business models to guarantee the firm establishment of digital trust. To address this new era of digital trust, BSI can help organizations to achieve a state of enhanced and sustainable digital trust through our integrated portfolio of products and services” said Ava Taniajura, Managing Director of BSI in Philippines.

“Besides digital trust, BSI can also help organizations achieve their sustainability goals whatever they may be, for any organization large or small – at the beginning of the sustainability journey or at a point where extra support can help the organization to achieve objectives to progress onto the next step” added Ava Taniajura.

The semiconductor and electronics industry is also one of the known biggest contributors to environmental pollution. A simple production of a small 2g microchip requires 1.6 kilograms of petroleum, 32 kilograms of water, 0.7 kilograms of elemental gases, and 72 grams of chemicals. Multiply that by millions of chips made from a single factory over a year, resulting in vast amounts of waste and toxic chemicals that are detrimental to the environment (DHL Logistics of Things Editors, 2019). There are a lot more that the industry could do in terms of sustainability.

BSI in the Philippines was able to share our latest insights on digital trust and sustainability with decision makers and professionals from the semiconductor and electronics industry during the 17th Philippines Semiconductor & Electronics Convention and Exhibition (PSECE), held November 16-18, 2022. Organized by SEIPI, PSECE is the biggest annual convention and exhibition of the leading technology companies in the Philippines. The exhibition component aims to feature the complete range of the electronics industry, from chips to finish products, from suppliers/service providers to manufacturers to retailers and distributors. It was held at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City, Metro Manila and was attended by 10,386 Trade Buyers and Visitors, 1,592 Convention Delegates, 194 Participating Local and Foreign Companies, and 4 International Pavilions (PESSA, SINGAPORE, GERMANY, CHINA).

In conjunction with the PSECE, the 31st ASEMEP National Technical Symposium (ANTS) was held. With the theme, “Achieving Digital Transformation through Technical Excellence, Value Creation, Collaboration, and Resiliency”, the annual symposium focuses on technical papers under various areas of research and breakthrough in Assembly and Test Manufacturing, Product, Quality Systems, Failure Analysis and Reliability, Support Systems, and the Academe. BSI Philippines was represented by Mr. Erwin De Guzman, Client Manager, BSI who joined the symposium as a Guest Judge under the category of Support.

"It is timely that we get to be in one place and have this important conversation of showcasing innovative methods to discover breakthroughs for the betterment of our semiconductor and electronics industry, not just in the Philippines, but globally" said Erwin de Guzman. 

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References:

DHL Logistics of Things Editors. (29 January 2019). ADDRESSING SUSTAINABILITY IN THE SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY. Retrieved from Addressing sustainability in the semiconductor industry | DHL Logistics of Things

Maghirang, T. (18 July 2021). PH businesses improve digital trust standing in APAC region. Retrieved from PH businesses improve digital trust standing in APAC region | The Manila Times

MB Technews. (16 July 2021). Philippine businesses most likely in Asia to have deployed new security applications and technology - Okta digital trust study. Retrieved from Philippine businesses most likely in Asia to have deployed new security applications and technology – Okta digital trust study – Manila Bulletin (mb.com.ph)

Microsoft Philippines Communications Team. (19 June 2019). Digital Trust Insight: Less than half of PH consumers trust digital services, according to Microsoft-IDC study. Retrieved from Digital Trust Insight: Less than half of PH consumers trust digital services, according to Microsoft-IDC study – Microsoft News Center Philippines