Let’s not forget our rich natural resources

These days the only news about the government that is reaching the people is the news about its hardline stand against criminals and the incessant war on drugs. So much so that we tend to forget all the other things we should be talking about. It’s understandable. President Duterte’s administration has been so polarizing that both sides – those who support his war on crime and those who don’t – have been filling up newsprint and the airwaves with their opinions and drowning out everything else.

For me the reason the current war on drugs is so compelling is because it is like a long-drawn-out bloody soap opera. And we all know how Filipinos love their dramas. It’s what keeps them glued to their newspapers, television and radio sets. The morbid curiosity of what will happen next is an intoxicating way for most to forget about the problems of their own lives. That is why most of the time; the larger portion of the population finds themselves so enraptured by the ongoing drama in the government that they don’t look past the small details and see the bigger picture.

I believe that we should all be thinking of much more than just the war on drugs and extrajudicial killings. What will make or break President Duterte’s administration is more than just that and we all need to be reminded that there is so much more of the country hanging in the balance. We aren’t just made up of one thing and solving one thing won’t guarantee success in other areas.

Granted drugs, crime and corruption are a big part of the cancer that continues to threaten our country. They existed long before the Duterte administration came into power and they’ve taken deep hold of the Philippines. These problems definitely need to be excised before we can truly feel relief and see progress. But these are not the only problems that need to be addressed for us to succeed. We have to approach change in all sectors and ensure that funding is given to areas that really need it and maybe even pulled from areas that don’t. It’s been too long since the last time we really looked at everything top to bottom and made the changes that really count.

I don’t understand how the president is going to keep all of his promises. In the end we’ll all see what his real priorities are. The projects that he helps fund and push will see the big wins while the others will be scrambling to find a way to continue to succeed within the new government.

Personally, I was a bit disappointed to learn that in a budget hearing President Duterte has revealed that he has cut funding for agriculture by P3.4 billion, bringing the total agriculture budget down from P54 billion to P50.6 billion. It seems contrary to his promise to help grow and develop the agriculture sector.

I previously wrote that I was looking forward to the president’s promise to boost our agricultural sector. It’s an area that needs so much help and the farmers are among the poorest sectors of the population that truly need support to uplift their lives. And their success is closely tied in with the success of the country as well. After all, there was once a time that agriculture was one of the most successful sectors in the Philippines. Our neighboring countries would watch us with envy and even send their own agriculture experts to our country to learn best practices from us.

Sadly, they took what we taught them and many of them have surpassed us when it comes to successful and thriving agriculture. It’s such a pity because our country is so rich in natural resources. It seems such a pity that we can’t properly utilize them. If we can invest properly in our agricultural sector now, we will definitely see the rewards in the future. But again, that requires an investment to be made today.

Industrialization has taken its toll on our country. We thought so much about urbanization that we sacrificed the health of the natural resources of the country. And now we find ourselves in a position that we have to catch up. I can still clearly remember that when I was in the private sector at A. Soriano Corporation, the management took extra care of our abundant forestry and mining resources. Something they continue to do to this day.

Having natural resources is wonderful and protecting them is important, but we also have to learn how to use them responsibly. That’s how we will find the perfect balance. For example, mining is a topic that can be quite controversial, but I think that, while those who mine illegally and irresponsibly should be stopped, responsible mining has to exist in the country. So much of the raw materials that make up the necessities of our lives come from mining. We need to be able to rely on responsible mining firms who can provide the resources but protect the environment at the same time. A perfect example would be Philex Mining Corp. which is a mining company that, in my personal experience, I know handles their processes with great responsibility and gives back to the environment too. That’s just one example, and I know there are others as well.

In the end, I hope the President looks beyond just his criminal and drug agenda and expands his concern towards all areas that need attention – agriculture, health, education, and infrastructure. These are areas that will greatly benefit the lives of so many Filipinos. And in the end, isn’t that what the president wants?