In a few days, 2013 will come to pass. Before urgent matters of the coming new year tear our minds away from remembering what has transpired on the 13th year of the 21st century, here are some of the highlights of the last 12 months.
Yolanda
Definitely, Super Typhoon Haiyan (classified as Yolanda in the Philippines) can be considered the biggest story of 2013. With over 6,100 deaths to date, and billions of pesos lost in damages, this natural disaster is expected to bring the Philippine economic prospects next year a few percentage points lower.
With the amount of foreign aid coming in, however, the prospect of completely rebuilding the damaged territories within three years is seen, and should efforts carry out correctly, will even improve the growth potential of the Philippines compared to the pre-Haiyan estimates.
PDAF
Despite criticisms about the pork barrel of government legislators in past decades, 2013 will be remembered as the year when the issue is finally put to rest after a serious exposé on its use and abuse comes to fore.
A whistle-blower unmasks the extensive network and trillions of pesos that have been funneled into irregular activities involving the Priority Development Assistance Fund of senators and congressmen.
In reaction, an angry and appalled public calls for the pork barrel abolition through mass protests. In November, the Supreme Court issued its ruling abolishing the PDAF, but not before several prominent lawmakers were charged in various government courts for complicity in the fund’s misuse.
Investment grade
In October, Moody’s Investor’s Service raised the Philippines’ credit rating to Baa3, or an investment grade rating. This comes five months after two other agencies, Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, had already raised the country’s credit rating to investment grade.
The upbeat mood by the credit rating agencies recognizes the sound economic fundamentals that the Philippines now has. But the challenge to translate these upgrades still need to be hurdled with higher levels of capital inflow by foreign and local investors.
The Philippines continues to be one of the least attractive areas in Asia in terms of new investments, and proof of this is the difficulty IN getting interested investors to look at the many business opportunities that the government is offering under its Public-Private Partnership program.
New laws
In the field of education, the President finally gave his imprimatur on a bill seeking to restructure both the country’s private and public education system with more years last July.
The approved K-to-12 system adds two more years to the previous basic education program, and will supposedly give graduates a better fighting chance to enter university or get a higher paying job.
The Kasambahay Law was also passed in January although became enforceable only in June. This ended a 16-year debate on the legislative floor, and will benefit more than 2.5 million household workers with better protection and wages.
Congress failed to pass several other economic bills as certified by the President as urgent. Among these is a proposed amendment to the existing Cabotage Law with the end view of strengthening competition and lowering the costs of air transportation; the fiscal incentives rationalization bill; and the land administration reform bill.
International dispute
A series of events this year involving territorial waters and contested areas tested international relations with countries like the United States, Malaysia, Taiwan and China.
All have been satisfactorily resolved except for that involving China and its overt territorial claim in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
Terrorism and violence
In April, three pressure cooker bombs exploded and killed three people and injured hundreds near the finish line of the internationally famous Boston Marathon. The news sent a tremor of fear among Filipinos who had friends and family who participated in the annual race.
There were no Filipinos injured or who died, but this kind of senseless violence does not comfort us. Filipinos, after all, are no stranger to such aggravated acts.
For almost a whole month, in September, the Moro National Liberation Front attacked Zamboanga City to force government troops to retaliate. The prolonged battle caused many local citizens to evacuate to safer ground, and in effect halting substantial economic activity in the area.
The barangay elections in October was also known to be one of the most violent in many years as many candidates resorted to foul means just to ensure a seat in the local government.
The most recent senseless violence was just last week when the mayor of Zamboanga del Sur and members of his family were gunned down in broad daylight at the NAIA arrival area.
Accidents
A number of major road accidents were recorded in 2013, the most recent being the fall of a passenger bus from the Skyway that killed 20 people and injured dozens.
Not to forget also was the fatal explosion that occurred at the Two Serendra condominium complex in the Bonifacio Global City, Taguig that killed three people and injured five.
Title holders
Let’s end on a more positive note as we note the growing list of Filipinas who earned acclaim for their beauty, talent and intelligence. Megan Young was crowned as Miss World Philippines 2013 last August, while Bea Rose Santiago won Miss International 2013 in Tokyo, Japan in December.
There have been many other Filipinos who have stood out in various international competitions, and to them, kudos.
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