Senatorial aspirant Gilbert “GIBO” Teodoro recognizes the benefits of free trade agreements , but the government should boost its support to local farmers and businesses amid rising trade multilaralism.
“Free trade agreements like the RCEP provides a larger playing field full of new opportunities for our Filipino enterprises including those in the agriculture sector. As FTAs cut tariffs and duties, this enables Filipino products to become competitive in other markets,” Teodoro said. But, he equally stressed that this would be possible if programs “to boost competitiveness, capacity building, and productivity of our local industries will be institutionalized.”
To stimulate demand for domestic products, Teodoro wants to boost promotion of Philippine-made products through “buy local” campaign and to incentivize companies sourcing their raw materials from local industries. The government, being the biggest market for Filipino products should also step up its efforts in patronizing local products.
Nice to hear candidates say that, but only now?