The plight of Filipino farmers and the frequent people figured in Senator Risa Hontiveros’s clarification of her “no” vote and Senator Imee Marcos’ cause for her abstention when the Senate voted to concur with the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
At least 20 senators voted for Resolution No. 485 concurring with the ratification of the commerce settlement.
Hontiveros expressed concern over what she referred to as an onslaught of tobacco and components milk commercials, and the Philippines’ items commerce steadiness worsening by US$ 264 million a 12 months. She additionally talked about dropping tariff revenues to the tune of US$58 million a 12 months.
“Panghuli po at pinakamahalaga, at sana ito po ang pinakapakinggan pa rin ng ating mga kasama. I have with me a letter of 131 organizations from various groups around the country. Mga grupo ng magsasaka, mga grupo ng mangingisda, mga trade union, mga health advocates, mga fair trade advocates,” Hontiveros stated.
“These represent millions of Filipinos who say that our country is not ready for this deal, that we already obtain the benefits from our other agreements, and that we even stand to lose,” she added.
“The calculations for me are simple, Mr. President. Dapa na po ang ating agrikultura. Hindi pa tayo nakakaahon sa pandemya. This is not the time for RCEP,” Hontiveros stated.
Imee raised her issues over the RCEP, citing the necessity to prioritize the necessity of the farmers and strange residents.
“Nais ko lang diiinin na ang aking pangangamba ay dulot ng aking paninindigan hindi bilang kapatid sa kapangyarihan kundi bilang anak ng ng legasiya ng aking ama na laging unahin ang maliliit, ang nagsasaka,” Marcos stated.
“Ang lupa at ang lahat ng mga nangangailangan. Pahintulutan niyo akong hindi lumahok sa botohang ito, hindi dahil umiiwas sa katungkulan kundi sa panahong ito bigo pa rin ang nakakarami sa bukid at sa parang,” she added.
Imee did not signal the committee report on the RCEP, saying that it will hurt the agriculture sector.
“[I] am quantifying gains in electronics and garments versus agri damage from RCEP. Really a lot to gain economically, but it will ravage the countryside and kill our farmers,” Marcos stated earlier in February when requested why she didn’t signal the committee report on RCEP.
Several poultry and agriculture producers earlier requested the federal government to provide a “clear path for development” for his or her sectors earlier than the ratification of the RCEP. —Richa Noriega/NB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
