Positive comments about PH

Last Tuesday, while browsing the e-paper edition of The Star Malaysia (the most widely circulated English newspaper in Malaysia), I chanced upon the column “Ceritalah” of Karim Raslan.

A quick Google check showed that Raslan, a Malaysian, is the founder, managing director and CEO of KRA Group, a public affairs consulting firm with an Asean-wide focus that specializes in, among others, in-depth cross market research and reputation management.

His weekly syndicated column discusses socio-political developments and current issues in the region, and is written in English, Mandarin and Malay in Malaysian newspapers.

The column’s heading—The Philippines up its tempo—caught my attention. More so, the opening sentence which read “Malaysians like to joke about the Philippines.”

That line struck a raw nerve in me. It reminded me of incidents in the past in regional meetings I attended when Malaysians and Singaporeans made subtle jokes about Filipinos who worked as domestic helpers or laborers in their countries.

They had reason to be snooty because their economies are well developed enough so their people didn’t have to go abroad to find employment that can amply meet the needs of their families.

Developments

I initially thought of skipping the article until I read the succeeding sentence:  “However, as Asean’s second-largest member in terms of population (nearly 100 million) and with growth figures eclipsing our own, we need to reassess the former ‘basket-case’ of Asia.”

Oops! Did I read things right? Was I seeing things? I did a double take on the sentence to make sure I read it correctly. The succeeding paragraphs were similarly heart-warming.

“Under the capable administration of President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III, the archipelagic republic’s economy has soared.

“The global information company IHS has recently predicted that the Philippines will be a trillion-dollar economy by 2030.

“The Philippines economy grew by 7.2 percent in 2013, including by 6.5 percent in the fourth quarter, despite the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan. Indeed, it was the second-fastest growing economy in Asia after China.

“Crucial industries such as business process outsourcing (BPO) continue to outperform and it has even surpassed India as the world leader.

“This success speaks volume of the quality of Philippine human capital. Aquino’s commitment to improve human capital development, skills and language training has made Philippine workers world-beaters.”

Challenges

Although optimistic about the country’s future, Raslan pointed out that poor infrastructure, citing the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as a case in point, remains a perennial problem like that of Indonesia.

The other challenges the country faces include the Muslim secessionist problem, which remains unresolved in spite of the recently signed peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, hardcore poverty and corruption.

He also wrote that the current maritime boundary dispute with China has deprived the Philippines of the tourism and investment dollars it needs to sustain its economic development.

He reiterated his remarks during the recent World Economic Forum on East Asia that “the fact that the Philippine Constitution mandates that Aquino must step down in 2016 after just one six-year term in office means that the turnaround is at risk if his successor does not share his reforming zeal.”

“This may give pause to many would-be investors in the Philippines which it can ill-afford as perceptions are everything in the great game of global business.

“The Philippines has come a long way and it can go further–if its people want it to.”

Cynicism

If something similar were written by a Filipino, chances are he or she will be labeled a paid hack or spin doctor of the administration by inveterate critics.

The growth in the country’s gross national product during the preceding years has been controversial.

By the standards of international financial institutions, it is considered impressive considering the economic slowdown in the region. Not so as far as some local economists and congressional leaders are concerned.

That growth has not resulted in jobs or livelihood opportunities that would have given the majority of our people, especially those in the lower social strata, the right amount of take home pay that would make their lives better.

In textbook economic theory, it would take at least five years of continuous double-digit growth before its effects or benefits can be felt or enjoyed by the so-called poorest of the poor.

Be that as it may, the economic resurgence the country is presently going through is not something to sneeze at. It’s an accomplishment, no matter how limited it may be from the perspective of critics and cynics, we can build on for our future growth and development.

It’s odd that foreigners have more faith and confidence in our ability to lift our economy from the doldrums than ourselves. The inferiority complex and culture of self-flagellation our Spanish colonial masters had inflicted on us continue to influence our sense of self-esteem and ability to chart our own destiny.

As a noted historian once said, we are our own enemy.

Raslan concluded his laudatory remarks about the Philippines with these words:

“If you want to see the next best thing, go to the Philippines! And, by the way, we Malaysians need to stop snickering and buck up. If we’re not careful, we’ll end up heading to Manila to find jobs.”

It’s up to us to prove him wrong or, better still, prove him right.

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