College students from the three major island groups of the Philippines were the winners of an essay writing competition coinciding with World Trade Week in the United Kingdom.

“World Trade Week UK is an annual platform for a wide range of regional, national and international activities to demonstrate the vital importance of trade and the choices that business, policy makers and communities can make to ensure continued global growth, jobs and stability. This is especially important during these difficult economic times,” according to British Ambassador Peter Beckingham.

“I am pleased that the Philippine government recognises the critical role of trade in the road to economic recovery. I also believe that it is equally important for the younger generation to voice their opinions and be heard, as they are the future decision-makers in this country and their views will shape the Philippine economic setting. This is our goal in conducting this essay-writing competition,” he added.

Lord Peter Mandelson, UK’s First Secretary of State, said “It is tempting in difficult economic times to retreat and concentrate on our domestic markets. And we have already seen a number of countries threatening to do just that. But we need to remind ourselves that the argument for protecting domestic jobs and growth at the expense of promoting world trade simply doesn’t add up. History has shown that protectionism can only exacerbate a recession. Trade, both at home and abroad, is the engine for economic prosperity; it is a key driver for jobs and growth. More trade means more jobs, higher incomes and cheaper and more diverse goods and services for consumers.”

British Ambassador Peter Beckingham and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Emeritus Amb. Donald G. Dee presented the winners with cash prizes at the awarding ceremony held earlier this week at the Filipinas Heritage Library.

Mark Wilfred N. Popioco, a student of West Visayas State University in Iloilo, bagged first place with his winning entry, “Of my Host Sister’s Smiles and Erning’s Job.” Second place went to Jose Eos Trinidad of Ateneo de Manila University for his piece entitled “My Part of the Trade,” while third place went to Erick Xerxes A. Maquilang of Notre Dame of Dadiangas University in Mindanao for his essay “Security Versus Opportunity.”

The British Embassy, in partnership with local think tank Universal Access to Competitiveness and Trade (U-ACT) and the Philippine Daily Inquirer, opened the contest to college students from all corners of the Philippines. Competitors had to demonstrate the importance of maintaining open markets and trade borders, working around the theme “Local Views on Global Issues: The Role of Trade in the Global Economic Recovery.”