Focus on the game changers

Best strategy in managing inter-connected national issues is to identify and solve which problems will have the biggest positive impact on the others. Meaning, among the long list of challenges there must be a few that, when properly handled, will yield the best overall results that would usher in the maximum possible progress for the country.

My column for today is already submitted hours before the newly and popularly elected President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his first State of the Nation Address (SONA). I hope that some of my concerns and recommendations will be coincidentally included in his program of government.

Develop our tourism industry. This is our natural competitive edge. No debate on our strength in this area. We have the best possible destinations that international travelers would patronize and enjoy. Our islands, pristine beaches, cultural heritage, unique culinary varieties and remarkable hospitality can be bundled as a superior product that all marketers would easily promote. But the key is how to make a compelling marketing campaign that will attract global tourists to prioritize us in their bucket list. The central messaging and effective execution of this campaign will define the next six years’ thrust of the new executives of the Department of Tourism (DOT) under Secretary Christina Frasco.

First things first in this area. Madam Frasco must be the champion in rallying for the needed infrastructure that will ensure the excellent experience of travelers starting from their entry in our gateways such as our airports. Unfortunately, we have yet to enjoy real world-class airports. More so, our seaports have been stuck in vintage 60’s. Very embarrassing. In fact, even the train stations and seaports of our neighbors such as Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong are physically much better than our main airports. Vietnam has also already surpassed the quality of our facilities.

DOT must also review how the agency can lobby for the incentives and other support mechanisms that will encourage investments in hotels, restaurants and other accommodations that will serve and cater to the needs of our target market.

The sense of security of foreign tourists must also be urgently addressed. Let’s not go that far, Intramuros is a case in point. This Spanish era enclave is always in the “must see” spots dangled to our visitors. Pathetic when I see foreigners traversing its side streets that are full of informal settlers and peddlers inside the century-old walled city. The DOT leadership must resolve the issue on how to relocate them or, at least, upgrade the facilities that they occupy. The Intramuros Administration must be obliged to spearhead the resolution of this decades-old problem.

Security of guests is also an issue. Perhaps, as a palliative, the DOT and the City of Manila can employ hundreds of guards to complement the police force in the area including Roxas Boulevard and the nearby Mabini district. After all, this can be an instant employment program.

Modernize our agriculture. Around 16 million Filipinos are struggling to escape poverty in this sector. As I mentioned in my previous columns, being a farmer here is almost synonymous to being poor and deprived of the most basic amenities that other citizens enjoy, including decent education and the chance that their children would be free from the bondage of daily hardships.

Our country is agricultural. We have no choice but to harness our natural resources with modern technology, correct policy and legislative support and best corporate agro-industrial practices from other countries.

Under the direct leadership of BBM, the right road map towards a modern agricultural industry can hopefully be drawn and pursued.

Pursue our industrialization. We must not abandon our long-term aspiration to have a vibrant industrial economy. Our over-reliance on the currency remittances from our more than three million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have dampened our goal of strengthening our manufacturing sector that can gear towards export-oriented businesses that will deliver the dollars needed by our economy. Many will agree on the superiority of an export-oriented economy over a consumerist one.

To do this, BBM must start gearing for lower electricity prices, ease of doing business, consistency in policies, respect for the sanctity of contracts, strong steel industry, constitutional amendments affecting foreign investments and an efficient government bureaucracy.

Our path towards progress must be cognizant of what can best bring the strategic results from the different options and perceived solutions to our problems. I’m earnestly hoping that there will be a top-level discernment to prioritize what will be supported by our meager resources and limited time.