On April 29, 2013, the Government of Japan announced the conferment of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon on Mr. Tomas I. Alcantara, Former Chairman of the Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee (PHILJEC) and Former Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
This is to recognize his valuable support to promoting mutual understanding and developing economic relationship between Japan and the Philippines.
Mr. Alcantara played a remarkable role as Chairman of the PHILJEC from 2008-2011. Under his chairmanship, the Joint Meeting between the PHILJEC and JPECC (Japan-Philippines Economic Cooperation Committee) had successfully been conducted. It served as an important venue for high-rank officials and businessmen from both countries to exchange views and information, and monitor the progress made under the economic cooperation.
Mr. Alcantara also served as Undersecretary of the DTI from 1986 to 1995. During his term, he stressed the importance of attracting more Japanese investments to the Philippines, and thus established a Japan Desk inside the DTI to cater to the specific needs of Japanese investors.
As an advisor to the president, Mr. Alcantara also made significant contributions to the crafting and eventual ratification of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA). Under the JPEPA framework, the Government of Japan and the Government of the Philippines is continuing to nurture its strategic relationship by bringing together both the public and private sectors to engage in mutual efforts towards the advancement of economic ties between the two countries.
The Government of Japan wishes to express its hope that he will continue to take an active role in further strengthening close relations between our two nations.
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