What each Filipino can do to help build Dream Philippines

(Second of two parts)

This article continues the enumeration of 28 strategic objectives that will help make Dream Philippines 2046 happen. The first 15 were published here on April 15.

16. Greater attention to food security and sustainability

Even if government gives priority to promoting agriculture, aquaculture, agro-forestry and agribusiness, we cannot attain food security and sustainability unless the citizens do their share. First, they must learn and apply better, efficient and sustainable methods of farming, fish production and other agribusiness operations. Dual training in agribusiness would be one of the initiatives that the private sector can support.

17. Quality and efficient transport infrastructure

Citizen participation can include designers and contractors using best practice designs and construction technologies, tools and equipment in infrastructure projects free from corruption. Executives, managers, supervisors and workers in design and construction companies can execute projects efficiently with particular attention to quality, budgets and timelines. Vigilant citizen or nonprofit groups can monitor project quality and timely execution of infra projects and expose the incompetent, corrupt, short-cutters and cheaters.

18. Water adequacy and security

Government has the duty to develop and maintain water resources. But the citizen plays an important role in helping government by being more judicious and responsible in water consumption with minimal waste and due consideration for the neighbors and nearby communities.

19. Energy self-sufficiency and security

While the government has been working toward the development of self-sufficient, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy systems, this will not happen if citizens do not observe effective energy conservation measures. The simple things the Filipino can do include: stopping the private vehicles from idling with the aircon on while parked; observing road discipline and good driving habits so traffic can flow more easily and save fuel; adopting energy conservation measures; and being an energy watchdog and calling the attention of the profligate and unconcerned users of electricity.

20. Environmentally compliant waste management systems

It can start with little things, like what Marikina did many years ago. Citizens were made responsible for their own garbage. Families and offices can segregate waste. No one should throw out garbage to public areas.

21. Access to technology for all

This objective targets the provision of inclusive, equitable, agile, resilient and sustainable access to all forms of technology that will harness the capacity of individuals and institutions to reach their full potential so they can contribute to the common good. Make it a duty to learn and apply technologies in day-to-day existence at home, at school and at work. Narrowing the digital divide needs two forces at work—government and the people.

22. Knowledge-driven digital ecosystem

The Filipino can help build this digital ecosystem by embracing technology. While government is building the soft and hard infrastructure to bring digitalization to one and all, the Filipino has the duty to learn and do what it takes to use digital technology in personal and work life. By aggressively pushing for full digitalization of government processes, the Filipino will help in curbing corruption.

23. Information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure

While it is the responsibility of government to build it, the benefits will not be optimized unless each Filipino learns how to use and apply ICT in personal and work life.

24. Competitiveness and ease of doing business

They say that in foreign countries, the Filipino excels because of work ethic, discipline, quality-consciousness, efficiency and service with a personal touch. If this work mindset and habits can also be practiced here in their own country, it will contribute very significantly.

25. Production mindset

For too long, the country has suffered economically because most of its physical infrastructure had been built with massive corruption. These can be avoided if we have government officials who are not corrupt, contractors who deliver projects on specs, on time and on budget, and workers who do their jobs with competence, good attitude and with a spirit of service. Solidly built infrastructure will save on maintenance cost. We can get rid of the rotten system, one Filipino at a time.

26. Strong economic fundamentals

We need more hardworking and more productive farmers as we need more successful entrepreneurs and efficient workers in the service and manufacturing industries.

27. Development finance, especially for MSMEs

Our economic lifeblood depends a lot on MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises), which provide more than 90 percent of jobs and are almost a million strong. This powerful economic resource can be harnessed positively if each and every owner and worker would do their share by delivering technology-appropriate and good products and services marketed to the right customers at the right price and with good sales and after-sales service.

28. Focused fiscal and monetary policies

This is strictly a government accountability. But Filipinos can contribute by being vigilant through their respective business and professional associations, by speaking up on national economic and noneconomic issues that affect the social, political and economic life of this nation.

Conclusion

We owe it to our country to start the process of building/rebuilding our nation.

Dream Philippines 2046 is an attempt to look at building the nation in a more holistic and comprehensive manner. It emphasizes the eight strategic aspects of nation-building and includes 28 strategic objectives that will make this happen.

These to-dos are aligned with the goals and aspirations of Dream Philippines 2046. It is not a complete list but more of a guide and a proposed minimum set of initiatives for a concerned citizen of this country. What is important is that using this, we now have a more structured program on how a Filipino can do more for the country and in the process, help other Filipinos build a better Philippines, our Dream Philippines. INQ

The author is governor-in-charge of Management Association of the Philippines Cluster on ESG and Shared Prosperity, and vice chair of Center for Excellence in Governance. Feedback at [email protected] and [email protected].