THERE was a time when the Philippines was an economic giant in Asia and Japan’s close rival in economic and infrastructure development. That’s why many are wondering what happened? Why the Philippine economy continuously retrogressed since 1953, the last year of President Elpidio Quirino’s term?
The answer to this question can be found in a book titled Economic Re-examination of the Philippines, a Review of the (free) Economic Policies Dictated by Washington, published in 2000 by Sahara Heritage Foundation and written by Filipino industrialist Salvador Araneta.
The book is a good read not only for students of economics, but also for those seeking higher office in the government. It should be made a textbook or coursebook for undergraduate and postgraduate students in social and behavioral sciences, including economics.
Araneta, one of the founders of the National Economic Protectionism Association (Nepa), was acknowledged by the Chamber of Filipino Retailers as the Father of the Filipinization of the Retail Trade, while his wife, Victoria Lopez Araneta, spearheaded the women’s chapter.
Protectionism, another term for mercantilism, the economic model that made US, Britain and France the world’s unrivaled economic miracles in the pre- and post-world war periods, was Araneta’s lifelong crusade. As Secretary of Economic Coordination during the Quirino administration, he sponsored the import control policy and the total ban of imported elementary textbooks and supplementary readers.
Protectionism contributed significantly not only to the development, growth and economic advancement of the country, but also to the modernization of the educational publishing in the Philippines.
Araneta also forced oil companies to refine crude oil, instead of just importing gasoline. If they did not, he declared that the government would put up the refineries. Caltex was the first company to comply.
“He seemed to have an uncanny sense of foreboding. The abuse that he had so feared came to pass 36 years later,” said Athle Wijangco Estacio in his article published by The Sunday Times Magazine on July 6, 1986.
The Bayanikasan constitution
ARANETA was just as consistent when he became a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1971- 1972. He was the only delegate who showed up equipped with his own draft of the Constitution. He named it the Bayanikasan Constitution, which was based on studies made by the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa). Araneta was one of the founders of Philconsa in 1961 and was elected its first president.
The Bayanikasan Constitution was a constitution for the future. Araneta was looking at a time frame of 10 to 20 years for its implementation. It was a constitution that stressed the democratization of wealth with savings and democratization of power.
“It stressed the importance of property ownership and capitalism for all, since Pope Pius XII himself had declared that a just social order could not exist without giving every individual the means to own property,” Araneta said, adding that “the need for a bold housing program could serve as a main pillar for our prosperity, emphasizing that “a family owning a home is a great stabilizing factor. It provides the family a sense of security and respect.”
He saw the need for greater participation of private individuals in nation-building. Today, we have the participation of non-governmental organizations, the formation of grassroots leadership, as well as local autonomy. Araneta favored a federal form of government, with a well-balanced collective leadership, pointing out as well the need to limit the powers of those in authority. He saw the necessity of opening up public offices to citizens.
Araneta had always stressed the conservation of our natural resources and preservation of the environment. He had various proposals on electoral and judicial reforms, the complete text of which can be found in his books, Bayanikasan Constitution and Effective Democracy.
Among the innovations he introduced include the idea that the law be classified under private law and public law. Private law would be under the jurisdiction of the Judiciary as an active operating power, with the Supreme Court as the highest tribunal. Public law would be under the Jurisdiction of the Constitutional Tribunal as the highest moderating power.
Other known Nepa founders were L.R. Aguinaldo, Toribio Teodoro, Ciriaco Tuason, Primo Arambulo, Benito Razon, Isaac Ampil, Aurelio Periquet, Gonzalo Puyat, Florencio Reyes, Vicente Villanueca, Arsenio N. Luz, Joaquin M. Elizalde, and Ramon J. Fernandez. Its prominent corporate member-founder was San Miguel Brewery.
In the women’s chapter organized by Mrs. Araneta, Rosa Sevilla Alvero assumed the presidency throughout the prewar years. There was also a Young Women’s Chapter.
Among the countless enthusiastic members were Geronima Pecson, Rosario Ocampo, Alice Feria, Tina Araneta, Mila Nieva, Elenita Onrubia, Candida Bautista, Cora Roxas, Pacita Lerma, Telly Albert, Lily Soriano, Angelita Singian, Maria Urquico, Amy Ramos, Josefina Bautista, Naty Perez, Delia Rodriduez, Titang Teotica, Leonor Rodrigues, Helena Benitez, Lilia de Jesus and Meny Sevilla.
Other members were Lita Kapu, Lulu Reyes, Benita Ledesma, Ester Lerma, Paz Policarpio Mendez, Guia Balmori, Betty Magalona, Pacita de los Reyes, Amparito Natividad, Virtudes Guinto, Minerva Inocencio, Inday Lacson, Leonor Carmelo, Naty Osorio, Nena Vagas, Gini Mata, Hortensia Laguda, Maxine Carmelo, Ruby Roxas, Chona Recto, Conchita Sunico, Yay Marking, Atang de la Rama, Gloria Perfecto, Dely Magpayo, Lilian Velez, Rosia Manalac, Celia Bocobo, Fely Espirito Santo and Elvira B. Castro.
Florentino T. Collantes, Hari ng Balagtasan at Makata ng Bayan (King of the Balagtasan and Poet of the Nation) was an active promoter of Nepa.
To reach the writer, e-mail cecilio. arillo@gmail.com