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Thursday, October 26, 2006
Bishops oppose RP-Japan trade pact (2:15 p.m.)
MANILA -- The head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Thursday objected to the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa) because of “some gray areas in the accord”.
"I feel bad that whole world and the Filipinos abroad would learn that the Philippines is going to be used as a dumpsite of Japan," said Jaro Archhbishop Angel Lagdameo.
Environmentalists have claimed that the Philippines will become a junkyard of Japan in the future following the signing of the accord.
"I, as a citizen, am against the plan to use Philippines as a dump site," Lagdameo said.
Lagdameo said it is everyone’s duty to protect the environment and not allow the dumping in the country of harmful and toxic substances that can destroy our environment.
"We should protect and care for our environment because it’s God's creation, it’s not ours and it’s our duty and responsibility to hand over this to future generations," he added.
According to Lagdameo it is important that the accord be scrutinized properly to ferret out details in the agreement and if it is in accordance with the law.
Senator Juliana Pilar “Pia” Cayetano, chairperson of the Senate environment committee, earlier said the Jpepa faces rough sailing in the Upper Chamber as she vowed to look into the agreement thoroughly. (MSN/Sunnex) |
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