THE Philippines is pushing for the retention of a protocol in the free trade agreement (FTA) in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) that will protect sensitive agricultural products in the country such as rice and sugar.

During the Asean Economic Ministers (AEM) Meeting and Related Meetings in Vientiane, Laos, from September 16 to 22, Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo conveyed the Philippines' request to keep the special consideration for rice and sugar with the ongoing review of the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (Atiga).