The Philippine economy has always depended on its exports as part of its foreign exchange needs. Traditionally, the country has exported mainly natural resource-based goods, usually in their raw, unprocessed forms. It has been only during the last two decades that the country has seriously tried to increase the volume of finished or semi-finished export products relative to that of raw materials. Philippine exports now have to contend with international comparative advantage. This means that the country's export industry has to abide by the rules of the world. One rule that is clearly emerging in international trade is one that requires business, trade and industry to become responsible for the environment and the stock of globally held resources. The question then is whether its possible for Philippine exports to simultaneously become globally competitive and environmentally friendly.
