Let’s be more serious about search for alternatives

THE findings of the recent Pulse Asia Survey should give our policy makers and us, the citizens more reason to worry as they show that the sentiments of our people had remain unchanged since June. Economic woes – controlling inflation, increasing pay of workers, reducing poverty of many Filipinos, creating more jobs are on the top 4 in the list of 10 national concerns Fighting graft and corruption in government (seen as the primary cause of economic inequality) is No. 5. The other concerns are criminality, peace and order, abuse of the environment, increase in taxation, rule of law, OFW’s welfare, population growth, terrorism, territorial integrity, and changing the Constitution. Note that inflation at 6.4% is the highest in the last nine years. Too, that charter change is at the bottom of the list of concerns. Thus, let’s put a stop to the debate on constitutional change and move on.

Perhaps we are not doing enough to put a stop to rampant corruption that has allowed the spike of rice prices and other commodities. Perhaps we are not exercising enoughpolitical will in running after hoarders and smugglers. Perhaps we have to take another look at our rules of law and our justice system.

And of course, we are fully aware that all these have contributed to the state of inequality, the main cause of which is our political culture. The latter has been the primary cause of the unequal distribution of asset ownership and even access to quality education.

Our people are fully aware of what we can do at the present and the middle term. Provide a more stable work environment through full employment and ENDO or end to short-term contractualization. Link small-scale industry to medium-large scale industries to promote productivity and stability. And put a stop to the continuing pillage of our environment – our fisheries resources, our forests, our natural resources through illegal fishing, mining and cutting of trees. How can we multiply the number and commitment of our ecological warriors so that they can effectively guard our seas and forests?

But we also realize that there is much more to be done even after getting these activities on the ground. That their sustainability depends on macro-economic policies and a governance ideology that supports their freedoms – freedom to access and share information, to organize into associations and exerciseinitiative and responsibility, freedom to choose alternatives, and policies that promote creativity, productivity, and access to resources.

But access to resources and productivity is limited because of anabsence of a level playing field. In our society where power and privilege is limited by vested interests, political dynasties and an oligarchic system, the lower economic classesconsisting of the majority, are often left out.

Thus, policies to reverse inequality should be in place. Policies that strengthen the small farmer and fisherfolk, the voices of unions and cooperatives, effective enforcement of anti-discriminatory laws – policies that do not provide equal opportunities to women, and other marginalized communities.

Economist Stignitz, Nobel laureate and champion of governance that reduces inequality suggests more investment in public education and improving the quality of education, better corporate governance, anti-trust laws, a better regulated financial system, increasing minimum wage, strengthening earned income, tax credits, a stronger workers’ system, and a more progressive tax and transfer policies.

All the above have been articulated but they need to be stated again especially for the growing middle class to act upon today. While many are more politically aware and involved today, this awareness must be shared and translated into actionable action programs. They cannot be articulated in concrete action that would resonate to the majority. Unless we have a public communication system that is truly free and unbiased.

The shaping of policiesand measures and their articulation so that they are understood and shared, thus resulting in a national consensus, must be a continuing advocacy of media and other channels of communication. We cannot now be drawn to diversionary tactics, controversial remarks, and posturing of our leaders unless these can result in concrete solutions to the growing cancers in our society.

If one avenue is working towards the identification of new leaders who can articulate and unify us in the search for sustainable solutions, then let’s work in this direction.

Today, President Duterte announced that he is guilty of only one sin-extra-judicial killings or EKJ? (Isn’t this enough for ICC?) Then Honeylet responds to perception that the President is seriously ill,says the President is in good health otherwise, she would be with him all the time. And then the President’s daughter, Sara, was reported as “grabbing a Marcos (Imee) as an ally while Duterte flutters.” What else is new?