Galvez, Jan Jylyn C.

GED103- OL89
Think Piece – Term Paper

During the administration of pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos, the Philippines experience

economic growth and rapid industrialization, especially when numerous public facilities and
infrastructures were constructed and open for the public to highlight the cultural heritage, generate
tourism, propagate arts and cultures, and improve health conditions. This includes Lung Center
of the Philippines, Philippine Heart Center, The National Kidney and Transplant Institute, San
Juanico Bridge, North Luzon Expressway, and many more, that is still serving for the public in the
present time. Additionally, Marcos’ year is a significant period as it is marked as “golden age” of
Philippine economy. Multiple reports also said that the peso-dollar exchange rate during the
regime of Marcos was at around one to two pesos per dollar. However, it is also remarkable when
Philippines started to experience the economic decline. This reportedly started when Marcos
spent his funds for campaign in his second term of being president, and when he continued to
take foreign loans for his infrastructure and industrialization projects. The economic decline,
corruption of the administration and fourteen year-long Martial Law eventually call for people
power revolution to dismiss Marcos administration. Not too long, Cory Aquino became a president
to ease Filipino’s suffering due to the previous administration.

At this point of time, different modifications or measures have been made to contribute in
economic growth and reduce the poverty in our country. First is the 1987 Philippine Constitution
which is the dynamic embodiment of the ideals of the Filipino. It is the oldest and longest among
Philippine constitution and often called the “Freedom Constitution” as it is intendedly created to
ensure democracy and freedom of the Filipinos. However, the constitution is not perfect, as it is
created by framers whom was not elected, but rather was selected by pres. Cory Aquino, that
wrote the constitution in four months to formalize that transition of diplomatic to democratic
government. With these, several politicians have attempted to change, amend and revise the
constitution since the selected framers were not embodied or represented the public. And as
changing the constitution may have good or bad consequences that greatly affects the citizens
who have been obeying and incorporating in their daily lives. Several people support and oppose
these attempts holding their belief and opinions for the good of the country. Furthermore, the 18
articles of the Philippines are now hardly not being obeyed specially those who in power. For
instance, the section 1 of 1987 constitution states that “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty,
or poverty without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of
laws”. As it states that there is equal protection of law, it is undeniable that the Extra-Judicial
Killings or EJK victims, are died without the protection of law.

Next is the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program also known as CARP which aims
to distribute the 5.8 million hectares of lands for farmers who do not own lands in their farming. In
the way were farmers won’t no longer be required to pay the lease or rent for their farmlands, they
will earn more, and agriculture crop will become cheaper in price market. Regardless of the
objective of this program, the agrarian reform is still ineffective even with slow distribution of land
and even slower management of land-related legal cases, as it came to the point that farmers
were no longer productive and optimistic in farming, and some were being killed so that the
farmland wont be named to them. Adding to that, farmlands are also being converted into
subdivisions in present time. Specifically, most branches or sites of ‘Camella Homes’ and ‘Vista
Land’ are supposedly for farmlands. As a result, farmers are being displaced in other areas with
lesser size of farm or even left with no farmland. Thus, the livelihood of Filipino farmers greatly
affects when more subdivisions was built in areas that was supposed for farming. On top of that,
the Rice Tariffication Law, as passed recently on February 2019, aiming to make rice cheaper for
Filipino consumers. The farmers were being left again with more stock of rice, as foreign rice
producers are now being more favored than the local rice.

Another measure that is said to contribute in ‘economic growth’ in the country is the Tax
Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act, or popularly called as the TRAIN Law. One of the
benefits of the said law is that it reduces the income tax, and exempted those who earn roughly
Php22,000 monthly and below from income tax payment. However, as the income tax were
reduced, the government needed to make up for loss on revenue, they increased the prices of
products and other services. An excise tax was also imposed to petroleum products with yearly
increase and on alcohol beverages and cigarettes to encourage healthier products consumption.
Nevertheless, while the reduced income tax is good for Filipinos who earns, thousands of jobless
Filipinos are left with only higher prices of products. Unfortunately, their situation may become
worse in later years, specially when prices of products and food become more expensive.

Among the modifications or measures indicated that was said to contribute in economic
growth and reduce the poverty in our country, tells us that this is not perfect as one of its
consequence is that it suffers Filipino workers. In 1987 Philippine Constitution, those who are in
government positions are using their power as an excuse in their mistakes or crimes and to have
different treatment and more protection of law comparing to regular Filipinos. In Agrarian Reform,
Farmers were not being prioritized as land that are supposed to the farmers are being converted
to subdivisions instead of farmlands. And in Tax Reform (Train Law), poor families with unstable
jobs were likely to experienced poverty in further years as they won’t be able to provide the needs
of their family because of the increased prices of products and foods. In conclusion, these
measures are the culprit of slow development. Growing economy is good, but the sake of Filipino
workers also matters. However, there is always a time for change and room for improvement.
Measures must embody the Filipino citizens as a whole regardless of job, status, or age. And
changes start within ourselves. Hence, the change for better Philippines starts with electing a
responsible leader that protects the rights of every Filipinos.

Word Count: 1059 words

References
IBON Foundation (2016). Tax Ganern! DOF’s Tax reforms tax the poor and relieve the rich.
Retrieved from http://ibon. org/2016/09/tax-ganern-dofs-tax-reforms-tax-the-poorand-
relieve-the-rich