Press Release - Zubiri: Better investment spiels will allow PH to compete vs RCEP countries

As a party to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement, the Philippine government should formulate better investment pitches for prospective foreign investors to successfully land more investments for the country.

Former Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri made this statement during the hearing of the Senate Special Oversight Committee on the RCEP Agreement chaired by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, saying that the Philippines is competing with 10 other Southeast Asian nations for foreign investments.

"Now that we are part of RCEP, we have challenges ... we have countries like Indonesia, Vietnam that are competing with us for investors from all over the world," Zubiri, the chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, said.

"We have to set our sights on coming up with really good investment pitches and opportunities for investing in the country. Kung hindi, maiiwan na tayo. We're part of RCEP, so what? Ten other ASEAN countries are part of RCEP, but they are offering the sun, moon and the stars to these investors," he added.

One area that the government can focus on is positioning the country as a defense manufacturer and exporter in Southeast Asia, Zubiri noted, now that the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Act has been ratified by the Senate and awaiting the signature of the President to become law.

Zubiri said that coupled with the Special Defense Economic Zone Act (SPEDEZA) that is still being deliberated in the Senate, the Philippines can indeed become a major regional player in defense and military materiel production.

He explained that the RCEP has paved the way for the SRDP Act, which provides a framework for a revitalized in-country defense production industry.

A corresponding bill, the SPEDEZA, sets up a Special Defense Economic Zone in Limay, Bataan. It has been approved at the committee level.

Zubiri, who sponsored the Senate Resolution on the RCEP, says that the Philippines' inclusion in the RCEP agreement is a key point of attraction for investors looking to come into the country, particularly in the defense sector.

"Defense investors are not just interested in setting up shop here so they can