Think tank launches book on policy reforms for next government

MANILA, Philippines – A little over four months before the 2016 presidential elections, a book featuring a rare compilation of insights from the country’s most respected intellectuals and industry experts will be launched on Jan. 22 at the Tower Club in Makati City.

Spearheaded by the Stratbase ADR Institute (ADRi), the book addresses the most critical issues hounding the country, thus serving as a comprehensive roadmap for the next president, said ADRi president Dindo Manhit,

Topics include foreign policy, the economy, poverty and inclusive growth, and energy security, among others, all of which were written by respected experts in the fields.

The issues outlined in the book can serve as a jump-off point for candidates to talk about substantive issues instead of pursuing the usual personality-based campaign, Manhit said.

“We feel there is real clamor on the part of the public to steer the direction of the campaign period toward a more meaningful engagement of important issues. As public policy strategists we need to think beyond politics, draw on a rare combination of backward looking analytics and forward looking thinking and imagination. We offer macro visions driven by fact based analytics and strategic policy options,” he added.

In the book, ADRi trustee Renato de Castro examines the country’s foreign policy and national security agenda in the context of continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea. ADRi Institute trustee Epictetus Patalinghug sheds new light into the relationship between foreign direct investment and economic growth as well as economic growth and poverty reduction.

ADRi trustee Francisco Magno looks at the country’s journey in the areas of governance reform and decentralization and identifies key challenges as well as achievements. Renowned geologist and ADRi trustee Carlos Primo David asks what’s wrong with the country’s beleaguered energy sector and discusses the always tricky relationship between resource management and environmental protection.