The multisectoral Fair Trade Alliance (FairTrade) asked President Gloria Arroyo to revoke the recently signed order that paved the way for the new auto industry development program.
“As the last legacy of your Presidency, we earnestly hope that you recall EO [Executive Order] 877 and come up with an amended one which will in fact ensure sustained growth of the industry,” Wigberto Tañada, FairTrade lead convenor, said in a letter to President Arroyo dated May 26.
The EO or the Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Development Program (MVDP) was signed last month.
The former senator said the new auto development program “clearly allows” the importation of used vehicles, as provided under Article 2, Sections 2, 3c, 3d, 5 and 6 and Article 7, Section 1.
This would encourage smuggling and importation of used vehicles, Tañada said.
“Upon our deeper analysis of EO 877, we believe that this new policy will not only erode the industry’s competitiveness but will also put at greater risk existing jobs, income and investments,” he said.
FairTrade claimed that the Board of Investments (BOI)—the agency which spearheaded the drafting of the new MVDP—had said that the preceding order, EO 156, was a “failure” since it did not help grow the domestic auto sector.
Tañada said that the new MVDP will negatively affect future and even existing investment in the industry” as the new EO did not retain the requirement for investors to infuse at least $10 million for the assembly of passenger cars and $8 million for commercial vehicles, which were provided under EO 156.
“These provisions were included in EO 156 precisely to entice investment in CKD [completely knocked down] operation and therefore create more jobs and value-adding activity in the country. But with the new EO, we are afraid that investment in CKD operation will slow down and turn some of the auto companies as just importer and distributor of completely built up [CBU] automotive units,” Tañada said.
He said an amendment to EO 877 should be made via a transparent and multisectoral process. –Ben Arnold O. De Vera, Manila Times
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
October –
Monthly Observances:
Industry and Commerce Safety Month
National Statistics Month
Local Government Month
Consumer Welfare Month
Cooperative Month
National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month
National Health and Wellness Tourism Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Elderly Filipino Week
Week 2: National Health Education Week
Local Government Week
National Mental Health Week
October 17-23:
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
October 18 – 24:
United Nations Week
Last Week:
Nurses’ Week
Consumers’ Protection Week
Week of the 4th Sunday:
Barrio Farmers’ Week
Daily Observances:
First Monday (Oct 4): Universal Children’s Day i
n the Philippines
Oct 5: National Teachers’ Day
Oct 10: Local Government Day
Third Thursday (Oct 14): Conflict Resolution Day
Oct 21: Tenants’ Emancipation day
Oct 24: United Nations Day
Oct 29: National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day
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