I agree with the motion that free trade is beneficial for the Philippines.

In terms of
economic development, free trade agreements can bring about numerous advantages, such as
increased access to foreign markets, lower prices of imports and exports, and enhanced
business efficiency.
Access to foreign markets is especially beneficial for the Philippines. It provides a
greater pool of customers to sell goods to, all around the world, ultimately leading to
increased revenues. Furthermore, it increases competition in the market, forcing businesses to
be more productive. This leads to cost-savings and improved production quality ((Heakal,
2023).
Moreover, through free trade agreements and improved access to foreign markets, the
Philippines can benefit from lower prices of imports and exports. With access to lower-priced
imports, the cost of producing goods can be lowered, and lower-cost trade can be enabled in
the Philippines. Furthermore, exports can be sold for higher prices, as foreign markets are
more competitive. This allows businesses to expand their operations, create more jobs, and
provide more economic opportunities to Filipinos (Santos, H. C., 2018). In fact, free trade
agreements benefit businesses in the Philippines by improving efficiency. For example,
businesses are able to access better and more cost-effective sources of raw materials from
foreign countries, and also benefit from the reduction in trade barriers caused by free trade
agreements. In addition, outsourcing to foreign countries can reduce operation and capital
costs, enabling businesses in the Philippines to be more competitive.
To further validate the benefits of free trade for the Philippines, a study of the
Philippine Free Trade Agreement (PFTA) in 2020 is relevant. Results from the study have
shown that free trade has been highly beneficial economically for the country. For instance,
the total exports of the island have increased by 8.5%, leading to an increase of approximately
10 billion dollars in gross domestic product, and a buoyancy within the economy of the
Philippines (Quimb, F. M., 2020).
To conclude, free trade is highly beneficial for the Philippines. It opens up
opportunities for businesses in the Philippines to access foreign markets, resulting in greater
economic growth. Free trade agreements also allow businesses to benefit from cheaper
imports and higher-priced exports, which lead to cost savings and increased efficiency.
Similarly, case studies have demonstrated the economic benefits of free trade for the
Philippines. Thus, I agree with the motion that free trade is beneficial for the Philippines.

References:

Heakal, R. (2023). International (Global) Trade: Definition, Benefits, Criticisms.

Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/insights/what-is-international-trade/
Quimb, F. M. (2020). Impact of FTA on Philippine Industries: Analysis of Network Effects.
pids.gov.ph. https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidsdps2031.pdf
Santos, H. C. (2018). Trade and Investment in the Philippines. Center for Monetary and
Financial Policy. https://dlsu.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/2011-015_parcon-
santos_-_final.pdf