Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez is optimistic that the garbage dispute between the Philippines and Canada would not lead to a breakup of their long-standing bilateral relations.
Lopez has expressed confidence about the strong trade and investment ties between the two nations, saying the garbage issue was a “separate” matter that is already being addressed by the concerned parties.
The Philippines earlier ordered the recall of its ambassadors from Canada after it missed the May 15 deadline to take back tons of garbage dumped in the country years ago.
Malacañang later issued a warning that the Philippines would “sever” ties with Canada if it does not hasten the shipment of the trash out of the country.
“Sa tingin ko hindi naman hahantong dun, napaka-tagal na nung relationship natin para umabot sa ganun or maapektuhan yung long term relationship with Canada,” Lopez said last Thursday when asked about the possibility of Manila cutting ties with Ottawa over the garbage conflict.
“Tingin ko dun, parang separate talaga ‘yun, saka isa pang, parang nasosolve na ‘yun particular issue na ‘yun di ba, may mga winowork out na na plans,” he said about the garbage issue.
He noted that confidence of Canadian companies in the country continues despite the garbage issue. He pointed out that the government was not picking a fight with any Canadian company on the trash conflict.
“Hindi ‘yung sa tingin ko makaka apekto sa, kasi business-to-business transaction natin pagdating sa trade and investment with Canadian companies,” he said.
“They will simply continue, they see the opportunities in the Philippines, so magtutuloy tuloy lang ‘yun. Di po makaka-apekto ‘yun dahil hindi naman, hindi naman ‘yung mga kompanya ang kalaban din natin dun, or so separate. I think that’s a separate issue talaga,” he said.
To continue to attract more investors into the country, Lopez noted that the trade department will have an entrepreneurship summit in Canada in the coming weeks. He said he believes such “apolotical” business activities should continue despite the garbage issue.
Canada yesterday expressed disappointment over the decision of the Philippine government to recall its top diplomats posted in Canada over the waste issue.
In a statement issued by the Global Affairs Office in Ottawa, it said Canada will continue to closely engage with the Philippines to ensure a swift resolution of the issue pertaining to the re-shipment of the remaining 69 containers vans of garbage back to its port.
“Canada is disappointed by this decision to recall the Philippines ambassador and consuls general. However, we will continue to closely engage with the Philippines to ensure a swift resolution of this important issue,” Canada’s Global Affairs Office spokesperson Brittany Fletcher said in the statement.
The Canadian government pointed out that it has repeatedly conveyed to the Philippines its commitment to “promptly ship and dispose of the Canadian waste in the Philippines.”
“We remain committed to finalizing these arrangements for the return of the waste to Canada,” it added.
Despite the diplomatic spat, Canada said it values its deep and longstanding relationship with Manila.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Tedoro Locsin Jr. last Thursday announced that the Philippine government is recalling Ambassador Petronila Garcia and all the consuls posted in Canada in response to Canada’s failure to meet the May 15 deadline set by President Duterte to ship out the 69 container vans of garbage it illegally sent to Manila six years ago. (Genalyn Kabiling and Roy Mabasa)
