August 22, 2004

The Philippine STAR, Opinion Page

What GMA Needs Is Help,

Not Beso-Beso

By Babe Romualdez

With the country's debt problems mounting by the day, GMA needs all the help that she can get and not "beso-beso."  In a well-written Time Asia piece, Michael Schuman reported that the Philippine budget deficit (P197.8-B this year) has ballooned four times since 1998 and has now reached $3.6-B. 

In the meantime, our public sector debt has increased by 83 percent from six years ago to a staggering $96.8-B.  Experts say that this debt growth rate is unsustainable and might result in a crisis.  While watchers do not expect us to do an Argentina and renege on our debts, investors certainly want to see an improvement on the economy, not further deterioration.  When we factor in unemployment, rising oil prices, a restive transport sector, pervasive poverty, pollution and unbridled population growth, we wonder how the Senate can find the justification to preoccupy themselves with exposés like the Smokey Mountain scandal.

These exposés serve no other purpose, but to divert our attention from the issue that is extremely important at this time.  Not only does this give the impression that the country is adrift, but the bad publicity gets amplified abroad aggravating and reinforcing our already negative image. 

Rather than focus on the issue at hand, Congress has to prioritize on the economy to move this country forward.  All these exposés are part and parcel of the system, but darn it, we really don't have the luxury of time and money for political grandstanding! 

All these exposés are fine and good, but we should just confine these to investigations that will have the evidence to justify pursuing it in the proper courts.  In the speed-of-light pace of a globalized economy, time is really not on our side. 

What should also grab our attention is a 2002 World Bank report that found out the following: Two thousand Filipinos die every year because of air pollution-related diseases like chronic bronchitis.  The costs for medication as well as lost income because of these diseases amount to as much as $1.5 billion each year.  

In a timely fashion, our U.S. associates referred Mr. J.J. Rothgery, the chairman of a U.S. biodiesel firm, and Mr. Russell Teall, its president, to talk with us.  They flew in from China the other day to meet with me.  

In spite of all the negatives about the Philippines—the good news is they're still looking at the country to set up a joint venture biodiesel plant that will create more jobs.  Biodiesel is a nontoxic and biodegradable alternative to petroleum diesel that is made from organic fats and oils such as recycled vegetable oils (used cooking grease), virgin oils and animal fats.

Because it can substantially reduce the emission levels and toxicity of diesel exhaust, the US Government mandated that all US and State-owned diesel-powered vehicles use a 20 percent biodiesel fuel blend with 80 percent petroleum diesel fuel in every tank.  Moreover, the firm has entered into a research and development partnership with the US Navy because the US Department of Defense (DOD) is the largest consumer of diesel fuel in the world.  This dovetails with the Department of Science & Technology's (DOST) June 2004 advocacy of the use of biofuel for Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) to cut down on air pollution. 

With uncontrolled population growth and with four Filipinos being born every minute, we now rank as the 12 most populous nation in the world.  We also have the distinction of posting the highest population growth rate in the region.  With 40 percent living below the poverty line on $1 a day, poverty levels keep rising. 

Worse, with a 13.7 percent unemployment rate, 4.9-M Fflipinos have no means of making a decent living.  The most vivid example of the correlation between population, poverty and having to look for a job abroad is Angelo de la Cruz.  How can he raise 8 children by working as a local driver?  He had no choice but work abroad, risk his life, and threaten our international commitments. 

The government should consider undertaking a more effective, responsible parenthood information program for the country's 80 percent Catholic population.  The remaining 20 percent should be given a choice.  Singapore managed its population by employing massive information programs and local firms offered educational assistance programs for a maximum of two children per employee.

Businessmen must do their part and help this country if they want to continue doing business here.  In her inaugural address, GMA challenged businessmen to "invest in our people and our country, instead of giving excuses for keeping your money abroad."  

GMA should get rid of so-called advisers who whine, rant and rave over their deflated egos instead of being helpful to her.  I must say though that GMA made a good choice in appointing Ed Ermita, who was our guest at the MOPC forum last Thursday, as the new Executive Secretary.  He is the right man for the job at this time because of his vast experience in government and in politics as well as his willingness to take the flak for the President.  The same goes for Bert Romulo as the new foreign affairs secretary, whom many diplomats hold in high regard.  

Looking back, I don't think our friend Ronnie Poe would have been able to hack being president and the enormous problems we have to face.  I've known GMA for a long time and First Gentleman Mike's family—the Tuasons.  As a matter of fact, during my schooldays, I worked as a part-time disc jockey for a 6 a.m. morning show at the Tuason radio station.  I have to admit that when GMA declared that she was not going to run at year's end 2002, I thought that it was probably the best decision she made for the country.  Now, I'm convinced that she is undeniably the right person for the job because of her discipline, her no-nonsense style of governance, and her determination to do the job despite the great odds.  But at the end of the day, she will need everybody's help.  

A foreign financial analyst whom I have known for a long time confided to me that this is our last opportunity to reverse the situation.  There are good indications that if GMA follows through with the reforms she spelled out—notably the decentralization of progress through infrastructure, the cutting down on corruption, the creation of 6-M jobs and the loan support for 3-M new entrepreneurs—the economy will pickup and things will start to look up.  Let's just hope for our sakes that this is what is going to happen.

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Email: babeseyeview@hotmail.com

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