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Friday, March 29, 2024

‘Let sunlight filter through dark clouds’

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By Prof. Edmund S. Tayao

It was as he declared in his inaugural speech, he spelled out specific program proposals to both Houses of Congress and illustrated in concrete terms how he sees the country moving forward. There was no fanfare, no flowery words, or slogans.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was all business and straightforward with what he intended to do. In fact, on the two occasions in the course of the speech that generated much applause, the first was when he mentioned that tertiary hospitals should also be available in the provinces and not only in the National Capital Region, and the second was when he was unequivocal in declaring he “will not preside” in the giving up any inch of the country’s territory, he seemed determined to just continue his address and not just bask in the adulation of the people.

This is made apparent if one were to look at his facial expression. He appreciated that the people received his message well, that they understood what he envisions, but the smile was cautious as if to note the tall order that is ahead. He notes that while the plans all sound good, they cannot be done overnight.

As therefore expected, the first order of the day is housecleaning; putting things in order and in proper perspective. Revenue collection was primordial, everyone seems to have thought the same, what with the strain that was brought by the pandemic.

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More than that however was the need to “enhance productivity”. Quite a notable management principle; there will always be a need to raise revenues, but the purpose should not be lost, that is for the government to “bring together resources” and maximize their use.

The government needs more resources, but it can only have more resources if it can make good use of what is available now, affect the development of the economy, of everyone in the economy, then additional revenues would be raised.

Perhaps it is again a plus that we have a national executive who has seen and experienced how and what it is in the countryside. For development to be holistic, felt not just by a few, and seen not only in the NCR but there must also be “strategic investments” to optimize the use of new technologies with the end in mind that growth is to be facilitated outside Metro Manila. Much of the country’s economic woes even before the pandemic is the rather myopic view of development in the NCR.

It should be noted in the first place that production does not take place in Metro Manila but the provinces. This is a potent formula as it is bound to be not only inclusive but also comprehensive.

What is paramount is to achieve macro-fiscal sustainability. Quite obviously, this can only be done with a comprehensive approach to economic development. Much effort seems to have been undertaken to know more about the country’s economy and the strategy points out the need to develop specific sectors. This appears to be the overall anchor of the focus on agriculture and the inclusion of other sectors to complement and converge, especially tourism.

Economic targets were not only mentioned, the speech was peppered with numbers and growth targets, but it was presented to show that the idea is to identify and work on specific sectors. And like clockwork, specifics were indeed mentioned.

Agricultural production is to be increased mainly by strengthening the value chain. The point is to have a step-by-step business model to transform the agricultural sector. Production is key, but details of every operation should be given much attention as each has its requirements that contribute overall to the development of the sector, from incoming operations to logistics and marketing and sales. It should also take into consideration the important component of human resources and again, the critical use of technology.

The President underscored the need to be scientific in the approach. He went to great pains to offer specific assistance to farmers, a moratorium on their ongoing amortization, to identifying and using available government lands, 52,000 hectares, of which, agricultural lands will be given to those who studied agriculture but who are landless.

There is a good reason to revitalize production, to showcase Filipino talent. Show the world, not only its lovely tourism destination but to “promote the ‘Filipino brand’”. After all, it should be noted that tourists go around, not only to experience the splendor of the place and all the activities it could offer but to also have a taste of the local delicacies.

This also was the opportunity to mention the significance of infrastructure. Continue the work started by the previous administration, and as much as possible, enhance it further. The network of trains has been specially mentioned that connecting the islands in the country was underscored.

Of course, the need to get back on our feet is not wholly forgotten. We cannot afford another lockdown though, that was made quite clear. There is a need to balance health security and economic recovery. The healthcare system will be continuously monitored. The point is to limit hospitalization and thus control not only the spread but the severity of the virus. Ultimately, the objective is to get business back to full operation.

It was quite clear that the President indeed, outlined as specific as he could get, the roadmap for the country’s recovery. Towards the end of his speech, he enumerated 19 priority measures that are needed to do all the plans that were mentioned.

What was mentioned in this short piece was not even able to accommodate the other priorities such as the work needed to assist the OFWs and prepare their family for their homecoming. Some would ask if there is any in all those that were mentioned that appear to be impossible.

If specificity is to be any measure, there is no reason to think it is impossible to undertake any of these. It will be a question of time but there is no doubt the sunlight that is filtering through the dark clouds is indeed shown and will be maximized.

Editors’ Note: Prof. Tayao is currently a faculty at the San Beda University Graduate School of Law and Executive Director of the pioneer NGO on Local Governance, the Local Government Development Foundation or LOGODEF. He was also a member of the Consultative Committee to Review the 1987 Constitution convened by former President Rodrigo Duterte that drafted the ‘Bayanihan Federal Constitution of the Philippines.’

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