BBM needs to step up

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the performance of President Bongbong Marcos over the last two years. I’ve said this several times in previous articles.

In particular, I am satisfied with the manner by which he is handling our foreign policy and our territorial dispute with China; in his seriousness to transform the economy from one that is consumption-led to one driven by investments; and for not standing in the way of exposing and reversing the toxic legacies of the Duterte administration. These include POGOs, the drug war and alleged drug smuggling, among others.

Yet, I find myself wanting. Amid the country’s many challenges, I feel the country is lacking in direction.

Let us not lose sight of the traits that make a good leader. A good leader clearly defines his goals and ambitions – the more audacious, the better. He provides the path forward towards achieving these ambitions. He drives projects and programs by closely monitoring his Cabinet and by clearing any and all roadblocks with strength and resolve. He inspires the stakeholders and rallies them to cooperate. I find these leadership traits absent from President Marcos.

Sure, he launched the “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign in July 2023. But it was more a political schtick than anything else. He doesn’t even speak about it anymore. Nor, surprise, there are more failures than successes in the “Bagong Pilipinas” program. Let’s recount them.

• In improving anti-corruption and transparency in governance. There has been no palpable change on this front. It is business as usual for most government officials and their rackets.

• In agricultural transformation. The sector is progressing in the wrong direction. Rice outputs will not post an increase this year following a 12 percent decline in the third quarter. Sugar production dropped by 15 percent, the lowest output in 24 years. Corn production will drop by 2.38 percent this year.

• In health care and social services. Despite the non-stop increase in PhilHealth contributions we must pay, the benefits remain the same. Worse, the DOF intended to use (our) PhilHealth’s money to augment the national budget.

• Public safety. No significant change here.

• Unity and nation building. If anything, the political landscape is more divided than ever. By extension, so are the different sectors of society.

The two bright spots are in infrastructure and economic development. Spending on infrastructure was sustained north of five percent of GDP since 2016. Meanwhile, economic growth has been robust since 2022, albeit still driven by consumer and government spending and not by investments.

The Bagong Pilipinas program is generally failing. I put this down to the fact that it was born not from the President’s passion but for political reasons. If it were, he would drive it hard like he did the Maharlika Fund.

An example of a good, visionary leader

President Marcos can learn lessons from leaders who have succeeded to transform their countries from one beset by challenges to global powerhouses. India stands out.

Just a decade ago, India was considered an economic basket case. It was a country overcome by corruption, a crippling bureaucracy (called the license raj), social tensions and widespread poverty.

In just ten years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India emerged as the fifth largest global economy, overtaking its former colonizer, the United Kingdom. Today, India ranks fourth in the global firepower and military power index. It ranks 11th in diplomatic strength. It ranks 4th in innovation and technology. It is the seventh nation with the most technology patents filed. India is also the eighth largest recipient of foreign direct investments in the world.

India has proven that a drastic transformation spanning multiple sectors can take place in as short a time as 10 years. It all begins with the audacious vision of a leader and his drive to make it happen.

PM Modi has laid out new ambitions for the next decade. I have no doubt that most will be realized. Among them are:

To make India a global manufacturing hub through its “Made in India” initiative; to become a $5-trillion-dollar economy; to become a net exporter of military equipment and weapons.

To make its urban areas “smart,” more livable, resilient and technologically integrated. India will invest in world-class infrastructure.

In sustainability, India targets 500 GW of installed renewable energy capacity by 2030; it commits to meet its commitments per the Paris Agreement.

In education, India’s new education policy focuses on universal access, high quality, skills-based learning and digital literacy. The goal is to equip students with 21st-century skills and make India a global educational hub.

In digital technology, India’s “Startup and Atal Innovation Program” aims to make the country a global innovation hub by 2030. It will do so by encouraging entrepreneurship, innovation and R&D.

Goals for the Philippines

The Philippines has both urgent problems and opportunities that can serve as a foundation to catapult the nation to the next level. That said, I reckon the following goals are viable in the run up to 2035.

On the economy. To become a trillion-dollar economy as early as 2033; achieve a Gini Coefficient of 35 (to improve income inequality); diversify our IT-BPO industry to one that is a center for excellence in artificial intelligence, machine learning, next-gen wireless networks, augmented reality & virtual reality, edge computing, robotics and autonomous systems; double the number of products the Philippines can competently manufacture from 2,500 to 5,000 (level of Thailand); increase Philippine economic competitiveness from 52nd place, out of 66 countries, to the 25th to 30th place (level of Thailand and Indonesia, respectively); achieve world class infrastructure.

On education. Reform the primary and secondary educational system to position our young learners in the top 20 percentile in reading, mathematics, science and critical thinking; reform the country’s education and vocational training systems to better align with the needs of a modern economy. This includes a strong emphasis on STEM, technical skills and human touch skills.

On health care. Provide affordable health care for our 120 million population by improving public health infrastructure; eliminate malnutrition, anemia and stunting, especially in children and pregnant women.

On defense. Rise from 32nd in global military strength to the top 15 for credible deterrence and defensive power; establish a local arms manufacturing industry to domestically manufacture at least 20 percent of national requirements.

On diplomacy. Increase diplomatic strength from 40th to 25th place (level of Indonesia); strengthen the Philippine passport from 73rd place, out of 199 countries, to the top 15 (level of Malaysia); strengthen the country’s soft power and country brand by re-establishing a Department of Culture.

On political reform. Eliminate political dynasties by enacting an enabling law; rationalize the power of local government units.

Fates of nations depend on their leaders. Great leaders create great nations. The opposite is true. Like PM Modi, President Marcos can make the Philippines a global powerhouse. With 3.5 years left, it is not too late to build the foundation.

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Email: [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @aj_masigan