For going the good life

"Duty, Honor, Country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be."
— Douglas MacArthur

If there is one thing that Dr. Danilo Lachica could say about why he returned to the country despite living the good life in the United States, he said it is his love and desire to serve and make a difference in the lives of his countrymen.

Dr. Lachica is not a politician. He is the current president of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc., or SEIPI, an organization that commits to be a catalyst in providing precious jobs for Filipinos in the said industry and revenue to the government coffers.

The electronics industry in our country has achieved remarkable growth, with a 62 percent surge in exports, totaling $49 billion in 2022. It stands as a formidable force among all industries.

Data from SEIPI shows the country's exports in September 2023 stood at $6,728.89 million, 65.44 percent of which are from the electronics sector.

In September 2023, SEIPI recorded $10,239.90 million in imports, with an impressive 21.45 percent contribution from the electronic sector.

From January to September, electronics exports posted $33.75 billion in revenue — a 4.37 percent decline compared to the $35.3 billion in the same period last year.

Bright, brilliant

Dan, as his friends fondly call him, said he nurtured a childhood dream of being an engineer.

Dan's innate brilliance propelled him to surpass all expectations and gain admission to the most prestigious science high school in the Asia Pacific Region, the Philippine Science High School in Diliman, QC.

"But during my high school years, I was considered the "pasaway" (stubborn) because I cut classes, even enticing my classmates to join me. I was not the perfect student at that time. I even became a father during my high school years, which I did not regret," he said.

Undeterred, Dan completed his education at "Pisay" and pursued a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at UP Diliman.

He then embarked on a journey abroad, earning his master's degree in business administration at San Jose State University in California. Upon his return, he pursued a Doctorate in Business Administration at De La Salle University, showcasing his relentless pursuit of knowledge and personal growth.

With over four decades of senior management expertise, Dan has honed his skills in semiconductors, electronics, and consumer goods manufacturing. Notably, he spent 16 years leading front-end semiconductor wafer fabrication in the heart of Silicon Valley. His wealth of experience is proof of his unwavering dedication and exceptional leadership within the industry.

Before retiring from the Lopez Group of companies, he was senior vice president of First Philippine Holdings and concurrently served as President of the group's electronics and solar manufacturing companies.

In 1996, he returned to the Philippines as the expatriate managing director of Iomega Corporation from Utah.

Throughout his career, he held esteemed leadership roles at renowned companies such as Hewlett Packard in California, Motorola in Arizona, American Microsystems Inc. in Idaho, and Procter & Gamble in the Philippines, leaving a mark of excellence wherever he went.

Serving the country

When asked about his decision to return, he explained that while the opportunity to manage his former US company's Philippine branch was enticing, it was his deep love for the country that truly compelled him to go back. The passion for his homeland fueled his commitment to contribute and make a meaningful impact in the place he holds dear.

"I gave up my Stanford MSEE (Master of Science in Electrical Engineering) graduate studies to accept an expat position as the Managing Director of a US company in the Philippines," he said.

As the leader of SEIPI, Dan's vision is to foster the growth of electronics exports and forge strong international partnerships. Guided by SEIPI's mission, he is dedicated to enhancing and promoting the Philippines' competitive advantages in electronics manufacturing and technology business. Through training, research and development, advocacy, information, networking, and services or TRAINS, Dan aims to unlock new growth opportunities and propel the industry forward.

Barriers to digitization

Dan recognizes that the Philippines stands at a pivotal crossroads in the face of a digital revolution. While commendable progress has been made in embracing digitization, the journey toward becoming Industry 4.0-ready is still long.

Despite the challenges, he remains steadfast in his belief that with determination and strategic actions, the Philippines can overcome obstacles and pave the way for a future characterized by technological advancement and innovation.

"The Philippine manufacturing industry is in the range of Industry Revolution 2 to 4.0, while globally, the country is not there yet, as we are in the 40s to 50s in terms of worldwide ranking. Still, it's a long way to go," he said.

He aptly likened the Philippines' education system to a foundation needing strengthening to meet the industry's demands in embracing digitization. Just as a sturdy foundation supports towering structures, an enhanced education system will empower the nation to rise and excel in technological advancement.

"Moreover, the benefits of digitization have to be explained to companies/industries. Lastly, funding new equipment and technologies is another hurdle," Dan said.

Dan candidly acknowledged the inconvenient truth that many industry stakeholders share — college graduates often lack the necessary skills companies require.

Consequently, industries invest resources in training these fresh graduates to bridge the gap and enable them to thrive in their roles. This reality catalyzes change, inspiring a collective effort to equip future graduates with the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in the professional world.

When Dan assumed the role of SEIPI president 11 years ago, he and his team embarked on a mission to provide valuable insights to government agencies, seeking to address and overcome the persistent problem, lighting the path toward finding effective solutions and forging a brighter future for all.

"Since the clamor for industries is the need for more intensive skills for bachelor's degrees graduates, SEIPI had a workforce to identify the subjects that need to be strengthened and the technical skills that need to be enhanced. We submitted the input to "this" government agency. And it is 11 years now, nothing has happened. That is the reason why we still face that challenge today."

High hopes

Determined for the industry to flourish endlessly by creating abundant job opportunities and bestowing economic prosperity upon the country, Dan draws inspiration from Matthew 6:33, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

By doing so, he believes that all other blessings and rewards will naturally follow, bringing forth a fulfillment-filled future.

"We have a lot of challenges to face, but what we should do is look for those challenges to become opportunities for improvement instead of having the victim mentality. Rise to the challenge and do your best. The most important thing is to put God in the center of everything you do," he said.

Like a flame that never wavers, Dan's commitment burns brightly.