The Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas supports the position and appeal of the representatives of farmers, fishers and the private sector who unanimously oppose the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement. We join them in urging the Senate to withhold its concurrence on the treaty.
The RCEP agreement, including its legal text and schedule of Philippine commitments, was finalized without consulting the agri-fisheries stakeholders, many of whom are directly affected by the treaty’s trade rules and concessions. Since there is no more opportunity to modify these commitments, at the detriment of our own economy and people, we strongly ask you our Senators not to give your concurrence.
In this same breath, we call upon our legislators to establish, fund and implement dedicated and sustained programs to improve the competitiveness and profitability of our farmers, fishers, traders, processors and exporters. This is what we truly need in order for us to recover from the economic impact of the current pandemic.
We trust that you will protect the genuine interests of the real economic builders of our society… our agri-fisheries heroes.
For the CBCP Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas Board,
