Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan is pushing for expanded market access for Philippine agricultural products in Japan, saying a stronger trade partnership between the two countries could open new opportunities for Filipino farmers and local producers to grow their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
The senator, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, joined Senator Erwin Tulfo in advancing a proposal to seek zero tariffs on Philippine agricultural products, such as fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural commodities exported to Japan.
The proposal was raised during the Philippine Senate delegation’s official parliamentary visit to Japan, which coincides with the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Philippine-Japan friendship.
During the visit, the lawmaker emphasized that expanding the country’s agricultural exports should be matched with efforts to ensure Filipino farmers can benefit from international trade opportunities.
“We cannot focus all our resources on being food producers alone. We also need to pour in all our efforts into opening bigger markets for our farmers so they can have better and bigger opportunities to improve their livelihoods, increase their incomes, and secure their and the country’s future,” he said.
Pangilinan explained that greater access to the Japanese market could encourage more investments in local agricultural production, processing, and value-adding activities, creating opportunities not only for farmers but also for workers and small businesses along the agricultural supply chain.
“Sa ganda at sagana ng ating mga produktong agrikultural, hindi dapat taga-supply lang ng pagkain dito sa ating bansa ang ating mga farmers at fisherfolk. Dapat maging kalahok din sila sa global food supply chain dahil world-class naman ang ating mga produkto tulad ng saging, mangga, pinya, kape, at marami pang iba,” he pointed out.
But to make the Philippines a stronger exporter of quality, competitive Filipino products, the senator said farmers need sustained government support and friendly trade policies, such as zero tariffs on Philippine products.
The proposed tariff exemptions seek to cover products, including certain agricultural commodities, under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).
The agreement provides for reducing or eliminating tariffs on more than 90 percent of goods traded between the two countries.
The Senate delegation, led by Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, also held meetings with Japanese government and parliamentary officials, including Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Japanese Senate President Masakazu Sekiguchi.
The visit included engagements with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship League, the Japan-ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Exchange Group, and other institutions to strengthen bilateral cooperation.