Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda (right). SENATE PRIB FILE PHOTOS
MANILA, Philippines 鈥擲enate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda voiced farmers鈥� dissatisfaction with the world鈥檚 largest free trade pact as the Senate resumed deliberations on the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP).
Legarda ensured that farmers鈥� concerns are heard and addressed during a Senate committee on foreign relations special subcommittee meeting.
鈥淭he Senate leadership is one with you. Iisa-isahin ano ang issue ninyo at didinggin ng lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno. Ito ba鈥檡 nasa probisyon ng RCEP? Ito ba鈥檡 talagang makakasama? O baka may panukalang batas na dapat gawin para masolusyunan ang inyong concerns. Kami po ay nandito para sa inyo,鈥� she said.
Among the issues raised by agricultural groups opposing RCEP:
鈥� Lower tariffs on certain products would lead to an increase in imported food products.
鈥� This would bring down local prices and eventually harm local farmers鈥� earnings.
They also mentioned that free trade agreements with RCEP countries are already in place.
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Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual defended RCEP and assured that the government would continue to provide the needed support and level the playing field to help equip and sharpen the capacity of local businesses.
鈥淩CEP provides a framework of rules and disciplines to ensure regulatory consistency, creating a conducive business environment that is key to ensuring the confidence of the business sector and spurring further economic growth,鈥� he explained.
鈥淲hile we recognize the concerns raised by some sectors, it is important to understand the bigger picture and view RCEP in terms of the opportunities it can bring to us,鈥� Sec. Pascual furthered.
Legarda stressed she is one with the farmers being a farmer herself, but also considers the benefits that the country could get from RCEP.
鈥淩amdam ko kayo at pinag-aaralan ko ito. On the other hand, naiintindihan ko rin kasi hindi tayo puwedeng maiwanan sa ASEAN,鈥� she said.
After hearing the farmers鈥� concerns and the government鈥檚 side, Legarda stated that the stakeholders would be consulted to help draft the guidelines, which will be part of the Senate鈥檚 concurrence to the agreement鈥檚 ratification.
READ: RCEP: 100 groups ask Senate to reject world鈥檚 biggest free trade pact
Since the RCEP standards don鈥檛 include environmental and sustainability provisions, she added them to the recommendations.
A special oversight committee will be formed with Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri鈥檚 approval.
It would monitor the recommendations鈥� implementation and ensure that government agencies support farmers and other sectors.
鈥淕agawa tayo ng guidelines, policies, programs, funding, resources, commitments, and oversight that will ensure that the agencies who negotiated for this 鈥� [the DA] who are mandated to bring about a robust agricultural sector, and the DTI to bridge the trade deficit 鈥� will do better than better, will do their best,鈥� Legarda said.
READ: Zubiri tells people opposing RCEP: Look at bigger picture, how this may help PH
Five of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations鈥� key commercial partners鈥擜ustralia, China, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea鈥攁re RCEP members.
The regional accord is believed to offer investors, particularly export-oriented businesses, a wide range of market prospects and boost economic efficiency in its member states.
Among the 15 member economies, only the Philippines has not ratified.