Sen. Manny Villar / Nacionalista PartyIN RESPONSE TO THE PEOPLES’ CONCERNS

The Philippines is basically an underdeveloped agricultural country

Majority of its people still live inthe rural areas and support themselves through agriculture and fisheries. The nation’s main problem iswidespread poverty and social injustice. The main thrust of our platform is emancipating the peoplefrom poverty and injustice.Self reliant and sustainable economic development program shall be pursued by implementing agrarianreform, increasing agricultural productivity and developing domestic industries. The problems of environmental destruction, climate change and recurring calamities shall be comprehensively addressed.High priority shall be given to education, health, housing and other basic social services.Economic development should be coupled with reforms ensuring social equity and respect for humanrights. People empowerment and good governance are vital to implementing meaningful reforms in theeconomy, politics, culture and foreign relations.A foreign policy based on respect for national sovereignty and ensuring mutual benefit shall be charted.The policy of economic liberalization and blind adherence to “globalization” must be reviewed. Unequaleconomic, military and other foreign treaties and agreements must be corrected.Ang Bayan higit sa lahat!

On agriculture and rural development

The development of our agricultural lands and providing livelihood opportunities shall raise the standardof living in the rural areas and increase manpower productivity.Food production should be geared towards food self sufficiency. Emphasis should be given to staplecrops such rice and corn.We shall review the policy on trade liberalization in agriculture and provide support and safety nets inorder to protect local producers and at the same time giving them access to global market. We will provide support to farmers in the form of appropriate

agricultural inputs and post harvest facilities. Weshould open market opportunities for local products by providing for new roads and bridges to accessand facilitate mobility.We need to develop rural industries by providing forward and backward linkages, access to technology,and micro finance. We shall facilitate the development of agri-business and entrepreneurship.We shall promote ecologically sound and scientific farming techniques to conserve land for futuregenerations, develop local seed varieties and lessen dependence on chemical-based fertilizers andinsecticidesWe need to promote fisherfolk’s participation in the management, protection and conservation of marineand coastal resources.1

We shall promote the rights and welfare of indigenous people and migrant dwellers in uplandecosystems.We shall develop a National Land Use Policy that promotes optimum utilization of natural resources for agricultural production, housing, institutional facilities, industrial zones and parks and other needs tomaintain ecological as well as economic viability.

On agrarian reform

Effective land distribution and thoroughgoing land reform is the government’s mechanism to addresslandlessness. A land to the tiller program is a vital element of a comprehensive strategy for economicand social development.Basically the aim is to provide land to the landless tillers in recognition of the long years of diligentlabor that farmers and farm workers have put in order to harness and in making the lands productive.For existing CARP beneficiaries there should be access to rural finance and technical support to improveland productivity and generate income. Farmer beneficiaries who have arrears in amortization shall begiven the opportunity for relief or condonation of their debts.Government must compensate small and medium landowners who were not indemnified but

werecovered by the current land reform program and to pursue land distribution with compensation to theremaining land owners covered by the land reform law. Business opportunities shall likewise be offeredto landowners parting with their lands.Offer joint ventures with big landowners to promote development of competitive and new industries thatwill provide employment opportunities, stable revenue source and a vehicle for the growth of our exportindustry.

On the development of manufacturing and local industries

The key to economic growth, aside from agriculture development, is the promotion of a viablemanufacturing sector. The development of local industries should be supported by available subsidiesand loans and technical support from government for them to grow and survive.Provisions for government subsidies and tax relief for Filipino industrialists and SMEs should beexplored to encourage local investors to go into the manufacturing business and venture into developingstrategic industries side by side with the government as partner.In the immediate, the Filipino manufacturing sector shall be given priority alongside with agriculture toaddress the impact of the global economic crisis and unfair foreign competition. Public sector investment will be developed even as private initiatives shall be promoted to venture into developing our local industries and in the use of our natural resources.If efficiently done, almost always manufacturing spurs growth by providing jobs and reducingdependence on imports. To start with, there is a huge local market that will sustain local industries aslong as production

output and consumer goods are of good quality, affordable and competitive tointernational standards.2

The role of SMEs in economic development has been well recognized. SMEs have been regarded as animportant contributor to employment generation and wealth creation in a developing economy.The development of SMEs call for various policy reforms to help them in the face of heightenedcompetition and globalization.There must be a program to promote patriotic awareness among consumers to use and buy locally produced goods.The benefits of development must be shared with labor for it to be self-sustaining. With a viable andstrong manufacturing industry, domestic job generation will be sustained and wages will be sufficient togive a life of dignity and pride for our workers. Likewise, government revenues shall be stabilized andoutmigration to foreign countries systematically reduced.Foreign investors are welcome to invest in the Philippines as long as the national patrimony andeconomy is protected and not compromised. Foreign investors shall be allowed access to land throughthe lease system.The Nacionalista Party is weary of simplified solutions for complex problems, like the problem of foreign investments. It does not believe that issues such as this should be settled by proposals to amendthe Philippine Constitution. The outright grant of land ownership to foreigners should not be favored.There are other possible and equally effective models such as providing incentives for the return of localcapital that has been transferred abroad.Land ownership has always been an important component of building up the Filipino middle class and itshould not be easily compromised. Trade and investment policies and agreements that are disadvantageous to the country and the peopleshould be reviewed and corrected. Promotion of partnership with donors and foreign investors should be based on agreements that are mutually beneficial to our country and people.Develop government capacity to enter into new industrial accord either through joint venture with localcapital and/or foreign investors to promote growth and provide services to our people.

On the rights of the working people

Due to the current economic slow-down and in the face of difficult local capital build-up, governmentshould provide for a stimulus package to immediately address the need of laborers and employees for a just and decent wage. A reasonable, legislated wage hike shall be considered as an option alongside withthe Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards in addressing the demands for wage hikes.Measures will be put in place to strengthen job security.Local banks shall promote borrowings and provide loans to local capitalists for them to help their businesses grow. With the availability of fresh funds, businesses can earn decent incomes that shallallow them to eventually provide productivity incentives to their employees.