Solon presses implementation of ASEAN agreement

Lawmakers are urging President Aquino to hasten the full implementation of the Mutual Recognition Agreements/Arrangement (MRAs) entered into by the Philippines with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states to facilitate mobility of medical professionals, architects, engineers and accountants within the region in preparation for the ASEAN integration by 2015.

House Resolution 1482, which sought the issuance of A Memorandum Circular to fully implement the MRAs entered by the ASEAN Member States such as the Brunei-Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines (BIMP-EAGA) and other ASEAN Member States affecting eight professions in the country was recently adopted subject to form and style by the special House Committee on East ASEAN Growth AREA (EAGA), chaired by TUCP party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza.

The eight professional services include Engineering Services, Nursing Services, Architecture, Surveying, Medical Practice, Dental Practice, Accountancy and Tourism Services.

ABS party-list Rep. Catalina G. Leonen-Pizarro said the MRAs, which were concluded separately from December 9, 2005 to November 9, 2012, should have been implemented to facilitate mobility of practitioners with the ASEAN region and to exchange information and enhance cooperation in respect of mutual recognition of practitioners.

She said the agreements will also promote adoption of best practices on standards and qualifications; and will also provide opportunities for capacity building and training of practitioners.

Since December 15, 1995, the ASEAN has recognized and emphasized the growing importance of trade in services through the adoption of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) by the ASEAN Economic Ministers during the 5th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, according Leonen-Pizarro’s resolution.

The party-list lawmaker explained the AFAS seeks “to substantially eliminate restrictions to trade in services among ASEAN Member States, enhance cooperation in services, liberalize trade in services, and promote efficiency and competitiveness of ASEAN service suppliers.”

“It establishes the general guidelines for mutual recognition, denial of benefits, dispute settlement, institutional mechanism and other areas of cooperation in the services sector,” she added.

Article V of the AFAS provides “that the ASEAN Member States may recognize the education or experience obtained, requirements met, and licenses or certifications granted in other ASEAN Members States, for the purpose of licensing or certification of services suppliers,” the resolution said. - by Charissa Luci - Manila Bulettin