The Philippines is making efforts to grow its semiconductor industry, with industry leaders pushing for global recognition within the next five years.
During a meeting at the Board of Investments (BOI) in Makati City, the Semiconductor and Electronics sub-working group (SubWG) discussed ways to boost the country’s role in the global semiconductor market.
“The Philippines is already known for its manufacturing capabilities in the semiconductor industry,” said Charade Avondo, president of Xinyx Design and chair of the SubWG for Promotion and Events. “We should be showcasing the high-value talent of our Filipino engineers in IC design and position the country as an all-in-one powerhouse for semiconductors.”
One of the plans is to participate in Semicon Europa, a major semiconductor industry event in Munich, Germany, in November 2025. Industry leaders believe this will help the country gain direct access to the European semiconductor market.
Nurturing talent
Workforce development is also a priority, with companies and schools working together to expand the talent pipeline. Since 2023, Xinyx Design has launched initiatives like Xinyx Unlocked, a nationwide competition for university students, and Campus Connect, an annual campus program.
Xinyx is set to sign an agreement with the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) Manila to promote microelectronics courses among engineering students. The company is also developing LABS by Xinyx, a training platform to introduce K-12 students to microelectronics and IC design.
The BOI is working on prioritizing the semiconductor sector and streamlining project approvals. Industry leaders are also urging the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to offer specialized courses like BS Microelectronics.