THE Philippines will suffer more job losses should the European Parliament revoke tariff incentives on Manila’s exports over human rights concerns, the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) said Sunday.
The European Parliament’s threat to suspend Manila’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status will affect up to 20 percent of its exports to EU, according to Philexport president Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr.
“Kung ‘di mo ihahanap ng kapalit ‘yun, syempre, apektado, lalo ngayong pandemic, hirap na hirap bumalik ang mga kumpanya… Kung talagang mawawala, talagang maraming maaapektuhang trabaho,” he told ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo.
“Syempre, nakakabahala dahil nine percent ng ating export eh sa EU. I think, in 2019, mga eight billion euro ang trade natin. At out of that, nag-e-enjoy ‘yung GSP preference, mga 1.9 billion euro.”
Malacañang, on Friday, dared the European Union to push through with its threat.
It might take two years before the revocation may take effect, Ortiz-Luis said.
“Kung i-a-out ka nila, bibigyan ka ng tsansa na makapaghanda,” he explained.
The industries of coconut, marine products, semi-conductors, and leather goods might take a hit, Ortiz-Luis disclosed.
“Isa pang malaking epekto sa atin ngayon, ‘yung mga tuna… Malalaking kumpanya ‘yan,” he added.
He hailed the response of the country’s Department of Trade and Industry – Board of Investments to the EU resolution, which, according to him, called for understanding and discussions over the issues raised.
While tapping another market for these affected industries may be possible, Ortiz-Luis said, “Sayang ‘yung opportunity. Hindi ganun kadali na lumipat, mag-develop ng market.”(ABS-CBN News)
