TRADE Secretary Ramon M. Lopez pushed for continuing the European Union’s Generalized Scheme of Preference Plus (EU-GSP+) for the Philippines and discussed existing and possible partnerships with Ambassador Saskia de Lang, the new Netherlands Ambassador to this country.
In a meeting on March 4, Lopez thanked the European Union (EU) for extending the GSP+ privileges and cited its benefits for the people in the countryside.
“The GSP+ is a major boon for farmers and fishers since the majority of the country’s exports to the EU are higher-value processed agricultural products like canned tuna, coconut oil, cream and milk. We are also working to export more products like chocolate from local cacao,” Lopez said.
Andre Driessen, director for International Enterprise Department of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Dutch technology can help Philippine agriculture, water systems and the Manila Bay rehabilitation project.
Lopez lauded the opportune timing of the cooperation with the recently passed Rice Tariffication law. Under the law, an annual rice fund of P10 billion will be allotted for machines, seedlings, trainings and farm financing to local farmers.
“Local rice production still accounts for 95 percent of the rice supply in the country. Through farm support from the Rice Tariffication law, hopefully, we can bring that up to 97 percent. Technology has to set in for us to increase farm productivity,” Lopez told Driessen and the Dutch ambassador.
Driessen also offered their expertise in water technology for water usage, marine construction and wastewater treatment.
The Philippines and the Netherlands are already formulating the Manila Bay Sustainable Development Master Plan through an agreement between the National Economic Development Authority and the Dutch Embassy in the Philippines. The plan is envisioned as a guide for future projects and programs in the Manila Bay Area.