Duterte’s challenges and opportunities

Mayor Duterte will assume the presidency of the nation that has recorded strong economic growth, but whose benefits have not trickled down to the majority of the population as desired. While the current administration also touted “inclusive growth” as its goal, they were unable to make much progress leading to a groundswell of dissatisfaction with the status quo. The incoming President was quick to recognize that dissatisfaction and his message resonated well with the electorate. His challenge now is to make good on his promise that economic growth will redound to the benefit of all Filipinos in an equitable and sustainable way.

However, politics is a team sport, and the country and the world will be watching closely as Mayor Duterte selects his Cabinet and as he rolls out the economic plan that will deliver the equitable growth he spoke of so frequently and passionately during his campaign.  His appointments to DFA, DND, DOF, DTI and DOTC (currently the symbol of incompetence and insensitivity) will say a great deal about the quality of his team and the approach he will take in important policy areas.

Last but equally important is the BSP. Governor Say Tetangco, has done an exceptional job and he has a well-earned reputation internationally as one of the world’s best central bank governors. His term will end in 2017 and the business community would welcome his reappointment, which will be an important signal to the global financial community.  Much of the country’s economic success during the past two administrations happened on his watch and his continued stewardship of our nation’s monetary policies will be important to the achievement of this next administration’s goals.

Mayor Duterte is a plain speaker with a colorful vocabulary, but he is also a seasoned political leader who has a track record of delivering progress to his constituents.  Now he will be tested and judged on a wider national and global platform.

In looking at those goals, there are two areas that stand out as critically important to ensuring that our growth over the next six years is both inclusive and sustainable.

Disaster and Climate-Resilient Agriculture 

The Philippines is the 13th most climate–vulnerable out of 186 countries according to the 2016 Climate Change Vulnerability Index. Mindanao will be the hardest hit by changes in climate averages and extremes. By 2030, 1.4 million Filipinos will be at higher risk of hunger due to lower agricultural production caused by climate change. One should note that farmers are the lowest paid sector in the country. Despite the fact that every administration has launched programs, we have not made progress in moving the agriculture sector forward. Agriculture yielded the lowest productivity and lowest incomes with an average growth P1.3 percent in the last five years.

More than any other sector of our economy, agriculture is the most vulnerable to the vicissitudes of nature. We cannot do much to prevent nature from taking its course but much can be done to mitigate its negative impact. A strong agricultural sector prepares us for the impact of natural hazards and climate change, making us more disaster-and climate-resilient.

Plans are underway to establish an alliance to help bring agriculture to the forefront of our national development agenda. The Carlos P. Romulo Foundation, the Zuellig Family Foundation and the Manila Observatory have decided to convene this alliance in late July. In the coming weeks, we intend to consult with experts, national and local government representatives, business and civil society organizations on the feasibility of launching a multi-stakeholder alliance to accelerate agricultural development in our country.

Mindanao, as the bread basket of the country, is the ideal place to pilot this initiative.

The results of our study will be made available to the incoming President for his consideration.

DICT

The role of information technology was clearly discernible in the elections: automation of voting and registration, the speedy transmission of election results, the impact of social media and the rendering of more accurate voter surveys.  The use of information technology has definitely influenced the way the government and the citizenry interact with each other. It has proven to be indispensible in promoting efficiency and is a tool against corruption. I remain an unabashed supporter of e-governance and, hence, the urgency of establishing a Department of Information and Communications Technology that will contribute to the incoming Administration’s drive for efficient government service and in fighting corruption.

E-Governance transforms the relationship between government and citizens from a monolithic bureaucracy dispensing its services to helpless and powerless beneficiaries to a customer focused institution providing service to a more demanding and ICT literate public, much like how a  bank or a telephone company would now treat its customers. This requires not only a major shift in the mindset of our government agencies, it also requires a dramatic re-engineering of our government processes to ensure that services are delivered effectively. For example, it means linking the data bases of at least seven government agencies so that an OFW does not have to line up seven times in seven different locations, waiting for hours to get his/her NBI clearance, birth certificate, CHED or PRC certificate, DFA passport, OWWA clearance, etc., etc. just so he/she get employed overseas. The creation of DICT can develop a seamless platform which can link our government agencies and their respective data bases resulting not only in speeding up transactions with government from anything like licenses and permits to procurement, but also promoting transparency to curb opportunities for graft and corruption as well. A more extensive data base and its rendering will also contribute to more effective law enforcement.

Simply stated, unless the citizenry can avail of efficient government services utilizing 21st century technology, the government would have been remiss in their responsibilities.

In the afterglow of the incoming President’s overwhelming mandate, he has earned the goodwill of all the citizenry from all walks of life. I share the hope he uses this mandate wisely and wish the incoming administration success in the face of myriad challenges to our prosperity, well-being, security and sovereignty.