MANILA, Philippines – Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap said yesterday that the Philippines well do well to delay by five years the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) which is scheduled for implementation next year.
In an interview with newsmen, Yap said a five-year delay “may be… good… because of the recession.”
Yap pointed out that there are so many “instabilities” that make it difficult to project commodity prices and even farm inputs such as fertilizers.
He also noted that uncertainties continue to affect the global economic recovery with “the stimulus and rescue packages not even determined.”
Furthermore, Yap observed that “the West… Japan and China have not shown any signs of recovery at all.”
Thus “this is not the time to go head on and destabilize the system by unbridled trade flows,” he added.
Yap pointed out that Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, has made representations to other ASEAN countries for the temporary suspension of the full implementation of AFTA by 2010.
“Secretary Favila has already said that he will make representations.We will await the results of that. We’re waiting for a suspension of the full implementation because of the recession and Sec Favila has already agreed to that. That is also my position.” –Marianne v. Go, Philippine Star
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
“Safety and health at work every day!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
March – Women’s Role in History Month
April – Month of Planet Earth
Weekly Observances:
Last Week of March: Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week
Last Week of April – World Immunization Week
Daily Observances:
Mar 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transallantic Slave Trade
Mar 27– Earth Hour
Apr 21 – Civil Service Day
Apr 22 – World Earth Day
Apr 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work
