TRADE Secretary Ramon Lopez on Thursday reiterated that non-participation or delayed participation in the Regional Comprehensive and Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement would be detrimental to the Philippine economy.

'We cannot afford to delay or not participate in this free trade deal when all our neighbors in Southeast Asia are already reaping the advantages of the agreement. Our non-participation or delayed participation in RCEP would be detrimental to the Philippine economy as trade, investment and other economic opportunities that the RCEP may bring will be diverted to other economies,' Lopez said during the Management Association of the Philippines' General Membership Meeting.