Credit where credit is due

Readers of this column get a respite today from my “belly-aching,” although I would like to underscore that it has always been my conviction to write about anything with an open mind, with resolve to seek all possible views on the topic at hand, and more importantly, if it’s a problem, to find a solution.

It may not be the perfect solution, a concept that can be found best in math books, and definitely one that is not easy to apply to life’s many challenges. But what is important is being aware that there are many sides to an issue, as there are possible remedies.

Before we digress further, let us move to the heart of today’s topic: giving recognition to good work that’s been done so far, even if solving the problem has not been totally accomplished. A pat in the back certainly is not remiss when something is positively progressing.

Moving infrastructure projects

Of the many concerns that the country faces, infrastructure would rank as one of the highest. It seems that projects are now moving, and with the exception of one contested bid, most of them have been signed and sealed, or are progressing through a predictable process.

One of the new big projects that is currently in the works is the P65-billion LRT1 Cavite extension project that will be linked to the current elevated rails running parallel to some of Metro Manila’s major thoroughfares.

Thanks to private partners, specifically Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, Ayala Corporation and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings, the project will provide relief for our countrymen living in more densely populated sections of the metropolis’ southern fringes.

Another project is the NLEX-SLEX connector road that will link the country’s two major tollways running north and south of Manila. Thanks to another public-private partnership, this P26-billion project is expected to facilitate movement of goods and people in the country.

There is also the P19-billion dam and water tunnel project that would augment the existing supply and distribution network that supplies the water requirements of Metro Manila and suburb’s more than 8 million-strong population’s needs.

All in all, some P60 billion worth of new projects have been approved to date, and Filipinos will be seeing a lot of dust being generated as more ground gets covered by the construction teams.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, in case you’ve not yet noticed, is undergoing a facelift. But more than this, at least during the times I entered the country from trips abroad, there was an attempt to put more Immigration personnel when more flights were coming in.

Of course, Terminal 1 is still structurally deficient when it comes to coping with the growing number of visitors and overseas Filipino workers passing through daily. But with problems still hounding Terminal 3, it was a good decision to apply some cosmetic changes on T1, and more importantly, improve processing of travellers.

Hopefully, we’ll soon see Manila stricken off the list of cities with the worst airport facilities.

It would also be nice if the proposed new airport by San Miguel Corp. would be approved for construction. This would really boost the country’s port facilities to match not only the 10 million expected inbound tourists by 2016, but also the increased economic bustle from being a new tiger economy.

Nonetheless, infrastructure spending is still way below the ideal ratio to gross domestic product, although this has risen significantly to about 5 percent of GDP compared to 1.8 percent in 2010. Admittedly, the list of to-do projects is still long, which includes improving our seaports and farm irrigation networks.

Elusive inclusive growth

The Philippines really needs to speed up its infrastructure spending so that business opportunities will come in. Without sufficient air and sea ports, extensive highways, competitive power prices, reliable telecommunications and other basic utilities, it would be difficult to attract foreign investors.

This is partly the reason why the Department of Trade and Industry feels lost in its campaign to flesh out a truly working business investment roadmap – it gets smothered by all the clamor for better infrastructure services by industries it deals with on a daily basis.

The Philippines had been ranked recently in the WEF Global Competitiveness Report as the most improved country in terms of competitiveness, jumping up seven notches to the 52nd position, quite an impressive leap from 85th post occupied four years ago in 2010.

While competitiveness is highly correlated to investment attractiveness, our position in the totem pole is still below other countries fiercely competing for attention in the global economic milieu. Until more investors decide to sink in their capital on value-added and job-generating manufacturing facilities, we will continue to be a country relying on the salaries of our overseas workers.

This also means that a large percent of the population will continue to be unproductive (or below desired productivity levels), making the aspired inclusive growth for every Filipino a far-fetched dream.

For the sake of our country’s future, we have to catch this bus. Otherwise, it may take one or even more decades to see the economy in a true and meaningful cycle of sustainable growth.

Champions League 2014 update

The mad scramble for top four positions in the UAAP, NCAA and CESAFI-Cebu is in high gear. Ateneo, FEU and DLSU have the inside track in the UAAP race, while the late blooming UE and NU are in a do-or-die game on Saturday for the last slot.

San Beda College Red Lions is well entrenched on the top pole position in the NCAA race. Arellano U Chiefs appears secure in the second place while JRU Heavy Bombers, CSB Blazers and UPHSD Altas are in a tight contest for third and fourth places.

At CESAFI-Cebu, University of San Carlos Warriors is leading the pace followed closely by South Western U Cobras, USJR Jaguars and defending champion, University of Visayas Green Lancers.

Visit www.CollegiateChampionsLeague.net for more details as teams go all out for a place in the Champions League (PCCL) 2014 National Collegiate Championship.

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Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected]. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.