Philippines: Pimentel against import of used cars from Japan

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Nene” Q. Pimentel,
Jr. (PDP-Laban) today asked the executive branch to
clarify whether the Japan-Philippines Economic
Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) would allow the
importation of second-hand or used motor cars from the
Philippines.

Pimentel said the importation of right hand,
four-wheeled motor vehicles from Japan should not be
authorized because this would adversely affect the
local automotive industry and endanger the jobs of
nearly 600,000 workers.

The Automotive Industry Workers Alliance, led by
Francisco Mero as president, has claimed that Article
27 of the JPEPA will “legalize” the entry of
second-hand cars into the Philippines. Mero said if
there is no intention to allow the entry of used cars
from Japan, “why was this particular provision
inserted into the bilateral treaty?”

Article 27 (Cooperation in Relation to Export) of
JPEPA provides: “The parties shall cooperate with each
other on the utilization of appropriate mechanism on
the conformance with the importing party safety and
environmental standards such as roadworthiness,
vehicle emissions of used four-wheel motor vehicles,
as may be agreed by the parties, imported from the
exporting countries.”

Pimentel said he will have strong reservations about
the JPEPA if indeed it allows the importation of used,
right hand cars from Japan.

He identified two other objectionable features of the
agreement: the apparent treatment of Filipino nurses
who will work in Japanese hospitals as “second class”
health workers, by requiring them to undergo
on-the-job training receiving measly monthly
allowance; and the possible dumping of Japanese toxic
wastes into the Philippines.

Pimentel said the provision on importation of used
motor vehicles from Japan under the JPEPA is not found
in similar agreements forged by Japan with Malaysia,
Indonesia and Thailand.

He said these diesel-fueled vehicles will only be
polluting the streets once they are brought into the
country.

“Who will be benefit from the importation of these
second-hand vehicles? I am sure there are certain
business groups who are behind this?”

Pimentel said that unless the executive branch can
satisfactorily explain its side on these three main
concerns, he is not inclined to favor the ratification
of the JPEPA.

He said it would be better to return the agreement to
Malacañang and the Department of Foreign Affairs to
renegotiate the terms that are disadvantageous and
harmful to the Philippines.
-o0o-

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