Ratify JPEPA now

We, the officers and members of the Filipino Exponents for National Progress (FENP), composed of professionals and academicians, respectfully request the Senate to approve the Japanese-Philippine Partnership Agreement for the faster progress of our country and the greater welfare of our citizens.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, chaired by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, has already completed its report after many weeks of hearings. It is set to endorse the treaty for concurrence by the Senate.

If the Senate fails to concur in the treaty, the Philippines will be further left behind by its Asean counterparts in forging bilateral economic treaties with Japan, the world's second largest economic power. Japanese economic agreements with Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia are already in force. Thailand's is already in the works.

Once implemented, JPEPA will provide substantial economic opportunities for Filipino farmers, fishermen, workers, professionals and entrepreneurs. Japan will open wide its huge market to our agricultural and industrial exports, and admit Filipino professionals, including accountants, engineers and nurses, to practice their skills and professions in Japan.

Fears that the Japanese would export toxic wastes to the Philippines are baseless. On the contrary, the treaty expressly calls for the strict observance of the parties' environmental laws and regulations.

Ratification of JPEPA would mean an additional P54.3 billon in Gross Domestic Product, or an increase from l.73% to 3.03% of real GDP, thus accelerating national progress and providing greater income to our people.