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Remember
the “Strong Republic”? No? Can’t blame you. Remember the
“Super Regions”? No? Can’t blame you, either.
The
theme of a “Strong Republic” came up in 2002 during
President Arroyo’s second State of the Nation Address (Sona).
Underlying this, apparently, was the notion of a
“strong” state versus a “weak” one, with the former
having the capability to govern effectively and solve
problems confronting the nation.
But the
idea was never fleshed out in theory, except in a
rambling essay by a Palace functionary in a national
daily that left more questions than answers. The
President herself rarely referred to the “Strong
Republic” in later speeches and statements. What the
concept has brought us in practice is a regime of
draconian measures and strong-arm tactics, with the
government helpless in stopping the rash of killings of
militant activists and crusading journalists since
2001.
As to
the “Super Regions” concept, this was unveiled in last
year’s Sona. The basic idea was to cluster the dozen or
so regions into five “super” regions with specific
development themes: Northern Luzon Quadrangle to
concentrate on agribusiness; Luzon Urban Beltway,
globally competitive industrial and service center;
Central Philippines, tourism; Mindanao, agribusiness;
and the Cyber Corridor, information and communications
technology and knowledge economy.
The
“super” part seems to be no more than hyperbole. The
Cyber Corridor plan has been effectively stymied by the
scrapping of the controversial national broadband deal
with Chinese firm ZTE on allegations of overpricing and
kickbacks. Central Philippines is picking up the pieces
from widespread devastation from a recent destructive
typhoon, and its tourism infrastructure has suffered
tremendously as a result. Muslim Mindanao has yet to
substantially contribute to agribusiness development and
rise from its status as among the most impoverished
regions, in large part because of peace- and-order
problems left over from decades of government neglect.
And
that’s where the problem lies. We expect the Sona to
tell Filipinos exactly where we stand and, more
important, where the government is taking us. What we
get instead, as shown by the “Strong Republic” and
“Super Regions” themes, are mere slogans meant to mask
pressing problems, such as corruption, and the
government’s failure to provide a clear direction to the
nation.
What we
find missing in previous Sonas is a clear overarching
philosophy that draws lessons from our past and our
culture and traditions, and builds upon them to offer a
realistic and viable strategy for dealing with our
current problems in the economic, social and political
spheres.
And,
more important, the philosophy—a national ideology, if
you will—should outline a vision for the nation that is
reflective of the deepest aspirations of all Filipinos.
This vision must be anchored on a shared perception of
current realities, offer deliverance from poverty and
despair and point the way to a better future for the
country.
Of
course, we have often been told what should be done.
There’s the basic needs: food on the table, clothes on
one’s back, a roof over our heads. That means there
should be enough jobs for everyone at home, so that
4,000 Filipinos do not have to crowd the airport every
day desperate to get out of the country to find greener
pastures abroad and feed their families.
For jobs
to be available in the private sector, there should be
enough enterprises put up by both local and foreign
investments. Employment in the public sector, on the
other hand, can only be assured if the government can
collect enough tax revenues to keep the bureaucracy
running smoothly on a daily basis.
Investor
confidence in the economy, as well as efficient tax
collection, however, are the end result of good
governance, which, in turn, is premised on transparency
and accountability, and sincere efforts to stamp out
corruption.
It is
the disconnect between theory and practice, between
high-flown rhetoric and the stark reality on the ground,
that makes the Sona no more than an overwrought recital
of claimed accomplishments and a litany of targets for
the coming fiscal year in every field. Unless these key
targets are assured of funding and are conscientiously
implemented, then we shall see millions of Filipinos
still trapped in the same cycle of crushing poverty as
before.
It
cannot be business as usual, with the government
plodding from year to year and preoccupied with ensuring
its political survival because its mandate to govern is
not beyond reproach.
It
cannot be business as usual, with six in 10 Filipinos
expressing their distrust of the current administration,
and one in 10 saying that they are skeptical of all
that’s said in the annual Sona.
To be
fair, the government has responded to the rising prices
of food, fuel and electricity with short-term remedies,
such as subsidies for the poor.
It
cannot also be denied that the macroeconomic
fundamentals have improved considerably in recent years.
But when
Mrs. Arroyo begins her Sona this afternoon before the
joint session of Congress and cameras begin clicking
away to record the event for posterity, we need only to
recall the unflattering image of the capsized ship off
Sibuyan Island in Romblon province that still holds
hundreds of victims of another maritime tragedy, one
month later, to remind us that we need to set aright
many things in this country.
While
the government is right in focusing on social welfare
amid the current economic crisis, it should address the
phenomenon of a rapidly growing population that
stretches scarce resources to the limit. More than this,
we need to be assured, firmly and unequivocally, that
the ship of state will be steered in the right direction
in the months ahead. |
