READING IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

TERM PAPER NO. 2: THINK PIECE

Submitted by: Gonzales, Marc Viren A.

Student number: 2019104806

Section: GED 103/A41

Sir Geoffrey Rhoel Cruz

Course Professor

Mapua University
October 2020
 “A Sick Man of Asia” — this was once a connotation for the Philippines under the

dictatorial regime of Ferdinand Marcos from the ’70s until People Power Revolution took

place. Alleviating the damage done by the dictator, the Philippines was able to somehow

rise from the bottom especially during the reign of Benigno Aquino III. He was able to

put forth the country’s highest economic growth rate and even setting the bars in being

one of the fast-growing countries in South-East Asia. His advocacy against corruption led

to a relative growth of the nation. Furthermore, the threats from the Republic of China

have drawn the Philippines to have a tighter bond with the United States, leading the

country to have better access to the US military force. All the achievements acquired

during this administration paved the way for the Philippines to be known as the “viable

destination for investments and tourists” — an upward trend line with regards to

progressive growth, democratic government, and a stronger alliance with the United

States of America.

However, despite these victories, it did not change the fact that the country is still

underdeveloped. In addition, it seems that the country is experiencing a relapse under

the current government of President Rodrigo Duterte — worsening the situation. It is

timely to state the on-going pandemic as an example of how the Pearl of the Orient is

not developing. The sufferings of the nation, in many ways, act as a huge mark on how

underdeveloped the country is. It is further weakened through having piles of million to
 trillion loans which who knows when can it be paid. This may eventually lead to an

even worsen poverty in its nation.

The country had been under various administrations, considering the present days,

which tried several measures which aim to solve or at least lessen the poverty rate

nationwide. However, these were not as successful as planned. Instead of giving benefits,

to an extent, some of these even worsen the lives of the less fortunate citizens which do

not change the fact that the Philippines is still underdeveloped.

One of which is the agrarian reform laws. These have been implemented in more

than 60 countries since World War II wherein some have been successful in establishing

the laws. On the other hand, others have partially administered it with no significant

contribution to the distribution of land ownerships.

In the archipelagic country of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 6657 or commonly

known as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) of 1988 was brought

about having the objective of redistributing land to farmers who do not own such property

in order to be used for agricultural purposes. On the contrary, it appears to be inefficient

because of certain programs that overlap the aim of the law. These projects include the

allocation and spending of millions of dollars for industrialization under the regime of

Marcos and the development of farmlands into subdivisions (e.g. Camella Homes and

Vista Malls) brought by the Villars. The farmers, in turn, are hugely affected due to the
 destruction of their source of living. Moreover, the continuous conversion of these

agricultural lands can eventually hamper food production, especially for rice. The Rice

Tariff Act further aggravated the situation of the local farmers for this implementation

favors the international rice producers by lifting the limitations on the importation of rice;

hence, an anti-Filipino law.

Another facet of initiative on trying to make the situation of the country better is

the imposition of the Republic Act 10963 or the Law of the Tax Reform for Acceleration

and Inclusion, also known as the TRAIN Law. This was put into effect with having the

intention of allowing the citizens of the Philippines to have an access to a tax system that

is easier, fairer, and has a higher efficacy on investment promotion, job growth, and

reduction of poverty. They are claiming that this was established to favor the less

privileged Filipinos by having income tax reduction which is one of its sole purposes. In

conjunction, this resulted in a higher increase in the excise tax which means a higher

inflation rate on petroleum products and other alike products and services. However, it

can be noticed, if understood deeply, that the scenario goes reversibly to what was stated.

It seemed as if it was indeed favoring the elites of the society which makes it unfair for

the less fortunate. To an extent, this made their situation worse causing an upward shift

on the poverty trend line. In fact, the poverty rate in the Philippines was exacerbated by

0.26 percentage points.

 Lastly, there is an existing initiative of enforcing the constitutional reform or known

to be as the Charter Change (Cha-Cha). It includes all legal processes that are needed

for the legislative amendment for the current Constitutional Law of the Philippines of

1987. The country is presently under a unitary form of government, but the existing

governing body ruled by President Rodrigo Duterte is planning to change the constitution

and make a transition to a federal type of governance. Federalism is a form of government

wherein the sovereign power is to be divided into central government and subdivisional

governments that comprise independent states. This kind of ruling is already being

practiced in the countries of the United States, Switzerland, Canada, and a lot more.

The first attempt at implementing Federalism in the country was held during the

term of former President Arroyo, but there are numerous oppositions. The federal type

of government was viewed to have both its pros and cons once implemented, just like

the other forms. The reason why this was not being pushed through is the overlapping

of the negative effects with the positives which could bring its nation to a disadvantage.

Firstly, there can be a probable chance that it would not establish a more united

states, as it was expected, because of the various ethnic groups which, sooner or later,

can have an unhealthy competition that can lead to regionalism — one of the problems

being met by the country with regards to the unity of Filipinos. In addition, this transition

requires the exertion of a lot of efforts by both the government and its citizen. There is
 also a need for a huge amount of fund allocation which is not practical and ideal

for the economy because of the debts held due to the trillions of loans. Having these said,

it can be showed that the Philippines is not ready enough to acquire such type of

conversion. It can eventually lead to a further downfall on the nation once this is put into

effect and neglecting these disadvantages — in contrast to its aim. Instead, the

administration should give more focus on preventive measures concerning poverty

reduction.

There have been several decades full of trials and errors being executed on the

procedures that aim to lessen the growth of poverty and improve the progressive state

sustainably. However, what was deemed to be of help is doing little to no effect on the

nation, making the country to be stuck in the list of underdeveloped countries instead of

having a booming economy. It seems to be ironic to what was planned especially that

the loans and poverty rate are which are increasing annually. Various measures have

been considered such as the agrarian reform programs, industrialization, fixation of the

taxation system, and the initiative on the constitutional reform. In the end, nothing

appeared to have solved the root causes of underdevelopment of the country — remains

to be a third world country and even made the situation worse for the economy and its

nation to rise from the linings. The people of the sovereignty who continuously work hard

and contributes to the economy through taxes and other initiative are still struggling.
 It is undeniably true that the goals of these initiatives are in accordance with the

betterment of the whole country. However, despite these supposed pro-people measures,

it appears that the lower class of citizens is being neglected. I would say that it is better

to consider small but progressive actions instead of giving an all-out massive plan (e.g.

transition to a whole different type of government) without securing the sustainable

growth of the economy. They can rather focus first on the project developments targeting

the less fortunate people as well as the access to quality education for all. These small

problems are somehow being overseen which leads to more major problems. It is also

evident that several flaws are not being taken care of attentively even until in the current

administration.

Every nation deserves good and true leaders. One of the possible root causes of

being underdeveloped, from a personal perspective, is the involvement of some

governing bodies in huge corruptions as well as their greediness of power which they use

abusively. This has been evident in the country where a lot of people are already voicing

out and yet there are still no actions done.

It is saddening to realize that the country has a high potential of evolving especially

with the numerous resources the economy holds only if the people who lead are not

focused on their achievements with regards to their economic status and does not

disregard the well-being of the Filipino nation. It sounds ironic that the Philippines is
 essentially a rich country but not its nation. This puts dismay on people since all

are concerned about all the current events happening as well as for future generations.

With all the situations that had happened, it is now the time to open our eyes and

minds to choose truly deserving leaders that will legitimately bring a progressive forward

movement on the economy and its nation. A beautiful country like the Philippines is

worthy of a leader who is willing to justly serve and promote growth in the social and

economic aspects. (1641)