Farmers, fisherfolk encourage to produce quality products

THE director general of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) yesterday said the challenge of the Filipino farmers and fishermen in relation to Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) agreements is to produce quality and saleable products to compete with that of other Asia Pacific economies.

Speaking during the briefing on the advantages of the Philippines as host to the APEC 2015 forum, Undersecretary Jose Mari Oquiñena made the call in relation to the APEC Policy Partnership on Food Security (PPFS) done in Iloilo last Oct. 2 and 3.

Oquiñena explained to the barangay officials in Cebu at the Dignitaries Hall of the Provincial Capitol that while APEC agreements are not binding but voluntary, the consensus among the 21 member-economies is to follow them.

Oquiñena said that APEC economy is 30 percent of the global market and the Filipinos as part of it must take the opportunities ahead.

“We should not be afraid to be part of the organization like APEC,” he said, adding that the Filipinos, including the farmers and fishermen, must improve the quality of their product to make it competitive.

He said that the challenge of the Filipinos now is to raise their level of excellence in food production.

Oquiñena said that in the past years, a Filipino who wants to communicate with his relative abroad had to pass through a Philippine telephone operator who will then contact that person through another telephone operator in other country.

“APEC economies agreed to stop that practice and allowed direct calls to fasttrack trade. You can also use Facebook and email, among others, because APEC removed borders,” Oquiñena said.

The undersecretary also said that Filipinos are buying imported and expensive bags like Louis Vuitton because they are thinking of a popular brand and a quality product that can add to their beauty and value.

“Why are they not excited about our own products? Because they are doubtful of its quality. So, it’s not the APEC agreement that will put Philippine products to disadvantage but on our attitude toward it,” Oquiñena said.

The APEC theme this year is “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.”

Oquiñena said that there is so much to be done in the country to further improve the economy and uplift the living conditions of the people.

“You know, in Manila, they have to do water management. It’s ironic because while there is always lack of water, there is always flood. So, why not capitalize the flood to have abundant water?” Oquiñena said.