Clark Freeport, Pampanga—Human rights issues over the government’s bloody war on drugs is affecting business in Central Luzon, an umbrella group of exporters said.
Malou Balano, executive director of the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. in Central Luzon, said the European Union, in particular, considers the human rights situation in the country in order to grant or retain preferential tariff rates for Philippine products.
Balano said local exporters are hoping that the human rights concerns voiced by the EU will not result in fewer opportunities to sell more to the bloc.
Central Luzon exported products mainly to China, United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, Czech Republic, Singapore and Germany.
Of the exported products, electronics accounted for 85 percent with a value of $3.8 billion.
The remainder covered from processed foods, marine and aqua culture, furniture, fashion accesoseries, garments, leather goods and small items produce by small and medium entrepreneurs in the region.
Electronics dominated the exported products because of the presence of four free zones in Pampanga, Balano said.
Balano said this makes Pampanga the leading exporter in Central Luzon with total volume reaching $5 billion, followed by Tarlac and Bataan with roughly $300 million each.
According to the PhilExport official, 11 sectors showed decline on their export volume while eight registered a positive growth of 400 percent namely marine and aquaculture sectors from a mere $917,000 to $5.08 million.
This is due to the increase of live crabs and processes food exported to China, Taiwan, Singapore and Hongkong.
