Economic Framework for Philippine Development
At the onset, allow me to admit that largely, the title was constructed as such so as to attact attention and interest in this article. Secondly, this is a very raw draft a direct translation of the ideas that are floating in my mind.
I am not an economist, the closest to me in being one is the units that i took in college on Introduction to Economics and Agrilcutural Economics. Anyhow, the ideas contained herein are inspired by a earlier inputs from the sessions we had earlier. I am, by the way, currently exchanging with other leaders from asia-pacific in the Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit here in Seoul, South Korea. The model is also inspired by the talk earlier delivered by Korea's Prime Minister, Han Myeong Sook.
If Korea was able to develop its economy in decades, perhaps the Philippines can too!
Here is my model, and I hope that economists will take time to look closely and as a collective, come-up with the best solution to move forward.
The model is of a ten-year economic development (of course, i am not certain if this possible within the suggested time frame). Anyhow, here are the components:
1. Human Resource Development.
As discussed during the sessions that Asia, as an economy will still post growth in the coming years. This means that these economies will require additional skilled workforce. What the Philippine should do is to focus on developing the needed workforce to meet the demands in the coming years.
Taking the example of the butchers that we sent to Australia early this year. Many of them, despite their training, were sent back because they could not communicate well in english! So now, as i learned from people from DOLE, there is a fresh job order for the workers to be replaces. Therefore, there is a need for us to make our workforce demand driven and competitive.
Along this line of thinking, we should, in the next five years or so, remove Domestic Helpers as part of the workers that we will be sending in other countries. This is not to demean DH as a job, but since our DH are prone to abuses, and at times receive low salaries anyway, it is better that we train them as skilled workers.
There are numerous opportunities, like outsourcing (transcription, call centers, etc), factory workers, engineers, miners, etc. Let us understand where the world economy is going and let's prepare out human resource to supply the demand that will be created.
2. Develop Industries
During the next five years, the Philippine Government, in partnership with the private sector, should start bringing in the industries in the Philippines, either by attracting foreign investors to relocate or by convincing local business people to invest in needed industries. It would be at this point that we can start bringing home our workers abroad.
We can bring in our car engineers or mine engineers, for example, for us to develop here either our own cars or serve as production facilities for asian or western cars.
3. Agricultural Development
There is a more rational and viable track to pursue agricultural development. Social workers (including farmers groups) and the private sector, with lesser government intervention, should start working towards agricultural development.
4. Sustainable Development
The strength of Filipinos, as a people, is the adherance to basic human values. What should be done therefore is to bring together industrialists, environmentalists and social scientists to work together in defining the parameters for development. If we can develop our mining industry, and stopping foreign companies from exploiting our resources, then there will be a better push in the economy.
5. Vision for a Better Philippines
Underlying all these assertions is the assumption that leaders and stakeholders of the country could be invited to sit together to define the Philippines that we want in the next ten years or so. There are groups like Jess Estanislao's ISA, the Karangalan Festival, the Pearl Principle Movement, Gawad Kalinga, among others, that are working towards a better Philippines and it is better for them to be invited to sit together to look at areas where they can harmonize approaches.
Secondly, there is a need for political blocks to be made to sit together to define political agenda beyond the political crisis. It should be assured that we do not allow politics to be a hindrance to development.
6. Operationalization
a. Education reform. There should be a more urgent attention to making our education, particularly public education, responsive to the demands not only at home but to the rest of the world. A focus on english and skills development should be strengthened and aligned with the demands.
----------------------
This will have to end here for now, as the group has already reconvened for the small plenary sharing. I will be back with more thoughts on how to operationalize these things.
However, at an onset, I think that Asia 21 and Philippines 21 could be instrumental in making these things happen. This could be an exciting project to undertake.
I am not an economist, the closest to me in being one is the units that i took in college on Introduction to Economics and Agrilcutural Economics. Anyhow, the ideas contained herein are inspired by a earlier inputs from the sessions we had earlier. I am, by the way, currently exchanging with other leaders from asia-pacific in the Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit here in Seoul, South Korea. The model is also inspired by the talk earlier delivered by Korea's Prime Minister, Han Myeong Sook.
If Korea was able to develop its economy in decades, perhaps the Philippines can too!
Here is my model, and I hope that economists will take time to look closely and as a collective, come-up with the best solution to move forward.
The model is of a ten-year economic development (of course, i am not certain if this possible within the suggested time frame). Anyhow, here are the components:
1. Human Resource Development.
As discussed during the sessions that Asia, as an economy will still post growth in the coming years. This means that these economies will require additional skilled workforce. What the Philippine should do is to focus on developing the needed workforce to meet the demands in the coming years.
Taking the example of the butchers that we sent to Australia early this year. Many of them, despite their training, were sent back because they could not communicate well in english! So now, as i learned from people from DOLE, there is a fresh job order for the workers to be replaces. Therefore, there is a need for us to make our workforce demand driven and competitive.
Along this line of thinking, we should, in the next five years or so, remove Domestic Helpers as part of the workers that we will be sending in other countries. This is not to demean DH as a job, but since our DH are prone to abuses, and at times receive low salaries anyway, it is better that we train them as skilled workers.
There are numerous opportunities, like outsourcing (transcription, call centers, etc), factory workers, engineers, miners, etc. Let us understand where the world economy is going and let's prepare out human resource to supply the demand that will be created.
2. Develop Industries
During the next five years, the Philippine Government, in partnership with the private sector, should start bringing in the industries in the Philippines, either by attracting foreign investors to relocate or by convincing local business people to invest in needed industries. It would be at this point that we can start bringing home our workers abroad.
We can bring in our car engineers or mine engineers, for example, for us to develop here either our own cars or serve as production facilities for asian or western cars.
3. Agricultural Development
There is a more rational and viable track to pursue agricultural development. Social workers (including farmers groups) and the private sector, with lesser government intervention, should start working towards agricultural development.
4. Sustainable Development
The strength of Filipinos, as a people, is the adherance to basic human values. What should be done therefore is to bring together industrialists, environmentalists and social scientists to work together in defining the parameters for development. If we can develop our mining industry, and stopping foreign companies from exploiting our resources, then there will be a better push in the economy.
5. Vision for a Better Philippines
Underlying all these assertions is the assumption that leaders and stakeholders of the country could be invited to sit together to define the Philippines that we want in the next ten years or so. There are groups like Jess Estanislao's ISA, the Karangalan Festival, the Pearl Principle Movement, Gawad Kalinga, among others, that are working towards a better Philippines and it is better for them to be invited to sit together to look at areas where they can harmonize approaches.
Secondly, there is a need for political blocks to be made to sit together to define political agenda beyond the political crisis. It should be assured that we do not allow politics to be a hindrance to development.
6. Operationalization
a. Education reform. There should be a more urgent attention to making our education, particularly public education, responsive to the demands not only at home but to the rest of the world. A focus on english and skills development should be strengthened and aligned with the demands.
----------------------
This will have to end here for now, as the group has already reconvened for the small plenary sharing. I will be back with more thoughts on how to operationalize these things.
However, at an onset, I think that Asia 21 and Philippines 21 could be instrumental in making these things happen. This could be an exciting project to undertake.
posted by DAVE REQUEJO BERCASIO at 8:05 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home