| Govs
to take up JPEPA discussions in Board meet
 |
USec.
Thomas Aquino
DTI |
Governors
will take up the discussions on the Japan Philippines Economic
Partnership Agreement during the 1st National Executive Board
Meeting on September 6.
A
number of governors have decided to bring the discussion on
the JPEPA to the floor after the Department of Trade and Industry,
represented by Usec. Thomas Aquino sought the support of the
LPP in convincing the Senate to ratify the agreement.
 |
Gov.
Leo Ocampos |
In
the open forum following the presentation of the JPEPA during
the Peer-to-Peer Orientation for Newly-Elected Governors held
in Cebu, league president Gov. Loreto Leo S. Ocampos committed
to send smoke signals to the other governors following the
lively discussion they had on the matter.
Some local chief executives such as Gov. Daisy Fuentes and
DV Savellano expressed their concerns on how ready is the
Philippines, and the provinces as well, for JPEPA and whether
it would be able to compete with more advanced Asian countries
like China, Vietnam and Malaysia.
 |
Gov.
Daisy Fuentes |
 |
Gov.
DV Savellano |
Gov.
Fuentes raised a query to the DTI on why local officials have
to put some pressure on the Senate to ratify the JPEPA if
the national government is selling a good product. “We
local officials are on the outside, we cannot tell the Senate
to ratify it,” she said.
On the other hand, Gov. Savellano pointed out that the Province
of Ilocos Sur, in particular, is not ready to compete internationally.
He suggested that the national government should instead come
up with measures and programs that will help the LGUs to become
more competitive, first locally, then internationally.
“We are not yet ready to meet the possible demand,”
he said.
Sarangani
Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez pointed out that in the advent
of globalization, free trade and competition is inevitable,
whereas in the 90’s third world economies were protectionists.
 |
Gov.
Migs Dominguez |
He
said the question that remains to be answered now is how has
the DTI prepared the local industries, especially the agriculture
sector, to become globally competitive. “How prepared
are we to face reality, especially when the time has come
to open up to the world market.”
Meanwhile, Gov. Ocampos shared that the fear factor in the
Senate could be the fear of the unknown, specifically that
of the issue on the toxic waste advanced by a lobby group.
“The Senate has the perception that this is the sentiment
of the people, that is why Malacanang needs LGUs help to tip
the balance. The goodness and benefits of the agreement far
outweigh the disadvantages,” he said.
Gov. Fuentes suggested that the league also invite a person
or group who are opposing the JPEPA to discuss why they are
against it. (AJSanchez)
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