TOKYO, Japan – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assured today that her administration would not allow the Philippines to be the dumping site of toxic and other hazardous wastes from Japan under the proposed Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).

"Definitely, we will not be the dumping site of toxic wastes (from Japan)," the President told Hisatsugu Nagao of the International News Department of Nikkei Shimbun who interviewed her at the presidential suite at the 16^th floor of Imperial Hotel here this morning.

Later, in a separate interview by Masao Kotani of the World Business Satellite of Tokyo TV 12, the President reiterated her government’s position on the hazardous waste disposal issue.

Fears by Filipino environmentalists and lawmakers that JPEPA would open the floodgates to the Philippines becoming a dumping site of Japan’s industrial wastes have overshadowed the benefits that the Philippines stands to derive from the agreement.

The ratification of the JPEPA has been pending in the Senate since Congress went on a recess last February in preparation for the May 14 midterm elections..

Under the JPEPA, the Philippines would gain greater access not only to the Japanese agricultural and other markets but also Tokyo’s financial services.

Japan would also allow the entry of a greater number of Filipino professionals, including doctors, nurses and caregivers.

"We have to address certain issues. But to start with, Japan is our valued partner. The JPEPA is a milestone in our relationship. And it is very important that we have to explain very carefully what the advantages of the agreement to our Filipino farmers, fishermen, food processors and our nurses and caregivers," the President said.

The government would not close the door on the controversy, saying "it is also very important to address the issue about the possibility of toxic wastes from Japan being dumped in the Philippines."

The Chief Executive said that upon her return to the Philippines at the end of her four-day visit here on Friday, she would immediately hold discussions with the senators on the various ramifications of JPEPA and the importance of the agreement to the Philippines.

"I believe that when the issues are clarified, no reasonable senator will oppose the ratification" of the proposed agreement.

She said that she had asked Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, chairperson of the Senate foreign relations committee, to accompany her in her Japan trip so the senator could explain to her fellow lawmakers the various aspects of JPEPA.

In a statement, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said the President is confident that senators would support ratification of the JPEPA after she explain to them the full range of immediate and long-term benefits the country would derive from the agreement.

"We live in a lively democracy. Opposition is part of democracy and is expected in the Senate ratification process," Bunye said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has issued Executive Order No. 624 creating a Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) tasked to curtail smuggling, unlawful importation and other similar acts.

In his weekly briefing in Malacaņang this afternoon, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the President has appointed Antonio Villar Jr. as Presidential Adviser (PA) for Anti-Smuggling and head of the PASG.

The PASG, which will be under the Office of the President (OP), is composed of elements of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Navy (PN), Philippine Maritime Authority (MARINA), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), National Food Authority (NFA), and the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD).

It has the power and function to apprehend, seize, investigate, and prosecute acts involving smuggling, unlawful importation, and other similar violations particularly of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines.

The PASG will be assisted by a special team of prosecutors from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to expedite criminal and other cases of violations of Customs and other related laws and regulations.

The agency will have an initial annual allocation of P50 million from the President’s Contingency Fund and/or government savings. Subsequent appropriation would be incorporated in the annual OP budget.

At the media briefing, Ermita also bared the appointments of Silvestre Bello III as PA for New Government Centers; Rolando Pinero as Acting Commissioner of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC); and Assistant Secretaries Clarito Mallillin and Oscar Valenzuela of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

TOKYO, Japan – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo urged today Japanese business leaders to visit the Philippines and see for themselves the investment possibilities the country has to offer.

"We are a good business environment getting even better," the President told Japanese businessmen at the Philippine Business Seminar at Tokyo’s Kaikan Hotel this afternoon.

With its bullish stock market, strong currency and economy breaking new grounds, the Philippines has emerged as a new favorite investment destination.

"And so we urge you, participants in this business seminar and leaders of the Japanese business community to come to the Philippines and explore all that the country has to offer you and your business," she said.

The President said the Philippines is now a competitive location for all companies planning to establish or expand their operations in the Asia-Pacific region.