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
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
September –
5 Sept – Intl Day of Charity
7 Sept – Intl Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
12 Sept – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
15 Sept – International Day of Democracy
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
17 Sept – World Patient Safety Day
18 Sept – International Equal Pay Day
21 Sept – International Day of Peace
26 Sept – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
27 Sept – World Tourism Day
28 Sept – International Day for Universal Access to Information
29 Sept – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
30 Sept – World Maritime Day
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety and Sanitation Month
National Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Social Security Month
Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 4)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
Week 2: Education Week
Week 4: Medicine Week
Last Week: National Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday:
International Coastal Clean-up Day
Third Monday: World Health Day
Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
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