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Even though the world’s largest free trade pact took effect for most of the 15 member countries at the beginning of this year, the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee said on Wednesday that the country’s agricultural sector still needs “infusions” of domestic and public investment to compete effectively.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) deal, according to Albay Representative Joey Salceda, will boost important industrial sectors by simplifying customs and trade procedures among member countries and facilitating trade and economic cooperation.

“I’m a big supporter of international trade.” Just ask the tens of thousands of Filipino seamen who have found work in the cargo shipping industry. Or a large number of employees in export-oriented businesses. Despite the epidemic, trade appears to have a good relationship with tourism, which remains an important Philippine economy. So I don’t rule out the possibility of RCEP’s benefits,” Salceda stated.

He did, however, point out that in order to establish a competitive farming sector, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) must develop a plan for market access for Philippine exports, particularly agricultural goods.

“I’ve always emphasized the DTI’s position as a market facilitator in Philippine agriculture. We must also invest in crops in which we have a competitive advantage. Some provinces can compete in rice and corn, but we should also invest in traditional crop exports such as coconut, bananas, pineapples, and abaca to ensure that these products can reach new markets,” he said.

He also emphasized the importance of reviewing the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) to examine if present programs are yielding higher yields or lowering production costs.

“A periodic review is very certainly warranted, and it is also required by law.” While we debate ratifying RCEP, I’d like to observe how ACEF affects crop competitiveness,” he remarked.

Protecting agriculture while opening other sectors is not novel, he added, pointing that even European countries in the ostensibly free trade zone of the European Union enforce strong agricultural protections.

He added that it is also a labor issue because the country has more farmers than agriculture contributes to the economy as a percentage of the labor force.

“Ultimately, the two concerns we must address when we ratify RCEP are: do we have the required mitigating measures in place to safeguard farmers from the negative effects of global trade, and are our industries equipped to absorb displaced farm labor?” If both are yes, then the RCEP is a fantastic opportunity that we should not pass up,” Salceda said.

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