New administration urged to continue JPEPA implementation

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo said the next administration should continue the implementation and maximize the benefits of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).

In an interview with NHK-Japan Broadcasting Corp. at Kalayaan Hall in Malacañang on Wednesday, the President described the economic agreement with Japan as a “win-win agreement”, describing Japan as a “strong ally and partner for the Philippines and for the region.”

“JPEPA certainly strengthens that partnership, especially during this time of global economic crisis,” Mrs. Arroyo said. “This should be continued.”

JPEPA was signed by Mrs. Arroyo and then Japan Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in Helsinki, Finland, in September 2006. It was ratified by the Philippine Senate two years later.

On trade, the Department of Trade and Industry projects JPEPA would increase Philippine exports to Japan annually by 20 percent and would open an estimated P300 billion worth of pipeline investments ranging from automotive parts to garments, allowing the country to diversify its trading reliance on the United States.

On the labor side, the President said “JPEPA brings the benefits of our strong cooperation to the people themselves in the form of opportunities for more job creation, business opportunities, and economic growth.”

Mrs. Arroyo, however, said Japan should expand its language training program to help Filipino medical workers and caregivers find work in Japan.

“I just hope that Japan will be able to maximize the cooperation on language training so that out caregivers and medical workers can take better advantage of opportunities, which will also be good for the older Japanese people,” she said.