The Philippines saved an average of P8.55 billion annually from tariff exclusions on exports to the European Union through the Generalized Systems of Preferences Plus.
The Department of Trade and Industry disclosed this during a virtual stakeholder consultation on Wednesday between the Philippines and the EU on the country’s petition to reapply for the program. The EU is expected to come up with a report on the Philippine performance with respect to its request to renew the GSP+.
EU representatives underscores the Philippines rate of compliance to 27 international conventions , including seven on human rights, eight on labor rights, eight on environment and four on good governance.
The EU parliament was vocal against the Philippines, particularly on alleged human rights violations, extra judicial killings, freedom of the press, freedom of association and labor rights, red tagging and pending bills such as on death penalty.
The GSP scheme is set to expire by December 2023, and the report will be used as a springboard for the new assessment when the Philippines reapplies for the new GSP+ scheme in 2024.