In the case of our media, for all its vaunted freedom and status as "watchdog" of our politicians and our democracy, one has to admit that it would be nice to be able to read some good news for a change, rather than the latest round of political theatrics, natural disasters notwithstanding, being engaged in by people whose time would be better spent in finding or creating ways to move the country forward rather than contribute to its stagnation or downfall.
Last year, when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo presented her Ten-Point Agenda (acronym, BEAT THE ODDS), it was met with skepticism and criticism from oppositionists, who claimed her plans were more the product of fantasy and wishful thinking than actual political policy or thought. With this year’s SONA, wherein the President outlined her plans for the establishment of "Super Regions" of economic and infrastructural development, similar accusations have been leveled at her.
While it is true that some of the points in the previously-presented agenda have not been met according to expectations, a look at the facts shows that, despite what the filibusterers would have the public at large believe, it was not from lack of trying on the administration’s part, as six out of the ten goals were accomplished to the satisfaction of the House Oversight Committee.
The most remarkable, and immediately noticeable of these, of course, is our country’s much-improved economic situation. Thanks to the introduction of new taxes and reforms, as well as improved collection of said taxes, our national deficit stands at P125B, compared to P210.74 billion in 2002, and the administration’s goal of job generation was met with 105.46 percent achievement in 2005.
The construction of the nautical highway, as well as the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, intended to link our provinces, has made significant strides in improving supply routes and travel time.
Increased conviction in corruption cases (now at 40 percent, compared to 24 percent two years ago) has raised our credibility in the eyes of foreign investors who cited the incidence of corruption as one reason why the Philippines is bypassed as an investment site. With this development, pledges are already coming in for the Super Region proposal.
The proposal calls for the dividing of the country into four Super Regions, namely North Luzon, Metro Luzon, Central Philippines and Mindanao. These regions would receive major influxes of funding in the coming months for the development of key industries and infrastructure with the intention of creating jobs.
Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya was quoted as saying that the Super Region project will need P372 billion for the development of roads, airports, seaports, irrigation facilities and railways. In reply to the opposition’s legitimate query of where the funding will come from, Andaya said that the cost would be sourced from the national government (P186.27 billion or 50 percent of the total amount required), the private sector (P68.4 billion or 18.39 percent), government-owned and controlled corporations (P116 billion or 31.18 percent), and local government units (P1.33 billion or 0.36 percent).
The people are tired of politicking, and in the face of rising oil prices and common goods, they have more immediate, pressing concerns. A recent Social Weather Stations survey revealed that 58 percent of Filipinos want the opposition to turn their efforts towards "helping to improve the country", rather than engaging in the repetitive, if fashionable, sport of trying to tear down GMA.
Amidst all the political hubris, the administration points out that a potential solution to many, if not all of our problems would be the proposed Charter change, the so-called Cha-cha. Not to be confused with the eponymous dance, the Cha-cha would transform our current bicameral congress into a single entity, a Parliament. This would serve the dual purpose of creating political stability, as well as doing away with much of the red tape that has beleaguered our halls of government.
This proposition has, naturally, met fierce resistance from the opposition, which is understandable when one thinks about it, seeing as most of them would be out of jobs. After all, who in their right mind would want to give up on the perks and privileges associated with being a "public servant"?
Perhaps to their dismay, tycoon John Gokongwei recently came out with an unsolicited statement of support for Charter change, saying that a move in that direction could provide the boost for us to catch up with our more progressive neighbor countries. He stressed that our brand of politics has affected our economy, pointing out that foreign equity restrictions as stated in our present Constitution has driven away much needed investments, especially in industries where local capitalists are unable to meet the required funds.
In cinema and telenovela scripts, the best cliffhangers usually find the protagonists faced with a precarious situation, the odds against them and the situation grim. In the political arena, in the years ahead, despite the ambitious plans laid out by the administration, there are still those who would like nothing better than to see those same plans fail.
If the administration can beat those grim odds; we would have a little less drama in our lives and have the time to enjoy the ones we see on TV and movie screens where the endings have no effects on our existence.