MANILA, Philippines – The scheduled review of the Japan Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) is still in limbo because the two governments cannot agree on a meeting yet.
In an interview with reporters, Japanese Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines vice president Nobuo Fujii said the review of JPEPA is still not scheduled.
The JPEPA is the first economic partnership agreement entered by the government. Under the terms of the bilateral agreement, it should be reviewed every five years. The scheduled review is 2011.
Fujii said the secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry must meet with his Japanese counterpart to discuss the review. However, since the DTI secretary is unavailable an undersecretary must take over but there has been problems with the meetings, Fujii said.
A Philippine delegation went to Tokyo last March to discuss what items should be tabled during the review.
In an earlier interview, Trade Assistant Secretary Ramon Kabigting said that the Japanese contingent would like to discuss issues on automotive. On the other hand, the Philippines would like to bring up the issue on nurses.
During their trip to Japan in March, the Philippine contingent has already informed their Japanese counterparts that that they would like to discuss the stringent requirements for Filipino nurses who would like to work in Japan.
The Philippine contingent has officially told their Japanese counterparts that the labor situation must be discussed during the renegotiation.
The Philippine contingent was composed of representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, Office of the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Regulatory Commission and the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency.
Meanwhile, the Philippines is hesitant to discuss the auto component which would allow for the preferential importation of smaller vehicles. The Philippines is opposing this because these vehicles are being manufactured in the country and importation may damage the local industry.
The JPEPA, entered into force December 2008, is the most comprehensive bilateral economic agreement the Philippines has entered into with another country covering trade in goods and services, investments, and cooperation.
The DTI said that the group will conduct a detailed review on how the Philippines can improve and expand the trade and investment relationship with Japan. The agency has also set a series of preliminary meetings with inter-agency members and consultation talks with private sector stakeholders this week. –Ma. Elisa P. Osorio (The Philippine Star)
March –
IT’S WOMEN’S MONTH!
“Respect and support women
every day of the year/s!”
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!
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Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week;
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and “
Made-in-the-Philippines Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
March 4: Employee Appreciation Day
March 15: World Consumer Rights Day
March 18: Global Recycling Day
March 21: International Day for the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination
March 23: International Day for the Right to the Truth
Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations
and for the Dignity of Victims
March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the
Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
March 27: Earth Hour
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