Addressing the country’s woes

Over the past several nights, I have been reading a lengthy paper discussing some of the country’s perennial woes and some possible solutions.

It’s an interesting paper crafted by a group of Filipinos in Canada led by Guillermo Ancheta, a reader who introduced himself as an engineer who previously worked for some old conglomerates and also at the Board of Investments.

It is always a joy to hear from Filipinos abroad. We might think they don’t care anymore about what’s happening here, but many still do; some even more passionate than those among us they left behind.

They suggested new economic programs, changes in the electoral processes, changes in the 1987 Constitution, as well as the creation of a fourth branch of government

I thought I’d share here some of the interesting points they raised:

Addressing unemployment

The group suggests a supplementary economic program that will address social problems such as unemployment, illiteracy, poverty, lack of decent habitable homes, and lack of minimal medical care.

One way to do this, it said, is to organize government-financed export-manufacturing industries.

“The unemployment problem is the greatest problem that has to be tackled,” it said.

I very much agree with the group on this point.

“The very apparent solution in our case is the creation of export-oriented manufacturing industries,” it said, noting that it will not only create jobs, but also bring in dollar revenues.

The group said that the usual government policy of “relying on the private sector” to lead the initiative to put up much-needed industries should be reexamined.

Instead, it said, the government should lead in investing its funds on labor-intensive and dollar-generating industries because some companies don’t want to invest in export-oriented industries as these are capital intensive.

It noted that the government relies too much on infrastructure projects to provide jobs.

“However, the infrastructure projects have only a short life span, and thus provide only limited and short-term benefits to the workers.  After the completion of each infrastructure project, the laborers revert back to unemployment,” it said.

The group believes export manufacturing industries can better provide long term employment opportunities.

Other national projects

It also listed other national programs that it deemed important, such as having a subsidized high school education. It believes that the government should make it mandatory for Filipinos to attend high school up to fourth year and subsidize those who cannot afford it.

The government should also provide medical and hospitalization benefits for all citizens.

Love for our democratic system

High school and college education must also include subjects that emphasize “love for our country; and love for our democratic system” and inculcate in students the sense of integrity and honesty, the group said.

“These areas of learning are lacking in every level from elementary to college,” it said.

I also very much agree with the group on this point. It is important to instill in every Filipino that strong love for our country early in life.

1987 Constitution

The group is also pushing for amendments to the 1987 Constitution so that there will be more checks and balances in government.

The group believes that every current president has “excessive power” that is practically above the power of Congress and the power of the Supreme Court, a power that has emanated from the coalition of the political parties.

I also share this view. It’s the reason we sometimes see as a rubber stamp Congress and hoodlums in robes or crooked magistrates.

Big businesses who support political parties, politicians, and their friends in the judiciary also contribute to this sad reality.

Fourth branch

It suggests the creation of a fourth branch of government that is above the powers of the original three branches. The fourth branch would act as the audit and judge of the existing three branches and their erring officials.

Members of the fourth branch would be people from universities, corporations, and other notable people of similar discipline.

The group’s proposal is 74 pages long and will not fit in one column, but some of the suggestions I mentioned are worth looking into. After all, it is not enough that we criticize when we see something wrong. We must also offer solutions.

The idea of having a fourth branch of government has the potential to work, although it should be done with enough safeguards. Otherwise, we might see another branch with members who may start with the best of intentions, but end up corrupted by power.

As the old adage goes, “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

I have also been thinking about possible checks and balances that we can put in place so that we can truly reap the benefits of democracy.

I am pinning my hopes on the 2022 elections that it may pave the way for us to have a better leader who will guard and respect the essence of democracy and enable an economy that is inclusive so that we may all live a life of liberty and plenty.

Iris Gonzales’ email address is [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @eyesgonzales. Column archives at eyesgonzales.com