Growing Economy Won't Help the Philippines Without Cultural Change!

Michael Christian Martinez IS a symbol of cultural change!

Have you ever thought of the OFW phenomenon?  I would like to compare the Philippines and the OFW.  The OFW earns more than the regular Filipino but most of them remain poor.  Many work abroad but when you think of it, a lot of OFWs remain poor because of their spending habits.  Likewise, the Philippines has the problem of mishandling its income.

Likewise, the Philippines has experienced some economic growth during the regimes of Gloria M. Arroyo and President Benigno Simeon "Nobita" Aquino.  It had some economic improvement during the time of President Fidel V. Ramos.  Economic growth is good, no questions asked but the question is, how is the wealth being used?

So what's with cultural change?  I am not only tackling the government but also the people.  Here's some things that are worth raising on both sides:

1.) First, the government

The government should learn to properly allocate the money.  Having a increase of income for the Philippines is NOT an excuse to have silly programs like Pork Barrel, Disbursement Acceleration Program and Priority Development Assistance Fund.  Not only that, WHERE IS THE MONEY BEING ALLOCATED?!

The problem is priority.  Just think... where should the money of the government go?  Just think of these problem areas in the Philippines.  There's a problem with law enforcement, government infrastructures and floods.  Shouldn't it be time to start repairing broken roads, MRT and sewer systems?  A wrong priority of money is always a problem.  This should be the start of fixing the culture of wrong priority.

Also, it's time to get rid of the sore loser culture by removing the 60/40 economic protectionism.  Why is it that the 60/40 provision of the 1987 Constitution is NOT removed?  Not getting rid of that continues the oligarch system that was present during the Marcos years.  Relying too much on Cory's constitution is problematic.  Remember that the constitution is not perfect, it must adjust for the country's survival.

So what can removing economic protectionism do?  Again, do I have to keep mentioning China's economic boom?  When Mao Zedong endorsed protectionism, China was a bad economy.  Under an open economy, China in spite of being a Communist state has become a powerful economic force.  On the other hand, Philippines' democracy is sadly shrouded by the dark cloud of protectionism.  The government must realize it cannot forever rely on OFWs.  When economic protectionism is removed, foreign investment will increase, economy will arise and the Philippines will go from developing to developed.

Although selling of land to foreigners may be impractical for the Philippines due to its area size, however allowing flexible joint ventures to 100% ownership in terms of intangible assets will help.  You can think... allow foreign investments means more jobs, more supplies.  The corrupt and incompetent oligarchy system must be torn down to further increase the Philippine economy!


2.) Second, the people

 I would also talk on the side of the people.  Now why are some Filipinos rich?  They discard the FLIPFAG culture.  Some Pinoys are well-to-do businessmen.  Manuel Pages from Cebu City and Reynaldo Villan in SPITE of the Philippines' condition, made a name for themselves in a country filled with FLIPFAGs.  You may also think of non-Pinoy Filipinos like Tony Tancaktiong of Jollibee who have established a name for themselves as job providers.

Failipinos want a welfare state, an idea repugnant to every enlightened Filipino.  Poverty is not always a problem with a corrupt government.  Sometimes, the problem of poverty is within the person.  Why are enlightened Filipinos well to do (but not necessarily rich) while Failipinos usually are in the status of DIRT POOR?  One may start to think of the common situation that goes on in the Philippines.

Sad to say but Failipino culture plagues the Philippines.  Most Pinoys have not gotten over their Pinoy Pride and Failipino culture.  When I mentioned the welfare state, it's a state where the government provides everything for the people, a country where the lazy is rewarded and the diligent is punished.  Laziness and their want for an eternal state of bliss prevents any good work.  Some people even prefer to stay poor so they can continue to benefit from a culture that rewards the lazy.  I guess they are whining about their being oppressed just to get attention.

What can be done right now is this.  It's time to set rules that punishes the lazy and reward the diligent.  It's time to punish people for tardiness and absenteeism.  It's time to pay people the salary the deserve.  It's time to stop looking down at servants and treat them accordingly.  It's time to take the job of a servant seriously and make the Philippines a nation of trustworthy servants, not just a nation of servants.