JOSEPH ARANETA GAMBOA l May 24, 2022 l Business Mirror
TWENTY policy experts and academicians discussed the current Philippine situation and provide their prognoses in a book titled “Beyond the Crisis: A Strategic Agenda for the Next Administration,” which was launched last week by the Stratbase ADR Institute (ADRi).
Through the 16 in-depth papers compiled in the book, Stratbase ADRi President Victor Andres C. Manhit said the Manila-based think tank hopes to spark conversation, sustain enlightened discourse, encourage involvement and create positive change with the principal goal of uplifting the lives of Filipinos and achieving a better Philippines.
“Whoever is elected, whoever gets appointed, we must not be afraid to be disruptive and break the myopic political cycle that has hindered the velocity of growth and prosperity that all Filipinos have a right to enjoy,” Manhit explained during the book launch. The launch was attended by six of the authors, including Manhit himself who wrote the paper on “A Responsive and Strategic Foreign Policy Outlook in an Interconnected and Multipolar World.”
Dr. Carlos Primo C. David believes the only way to move forward is to present valid strategies to influence decision makers. In his paper, “Improving the Philippine Agriculture Sector by Establishing Food Production Areas,” David pointed out that such self-contained areas should consist of large industrial farms with a lot of mechanization and surrounded by small traditional farms of one to two hectares in size.
“A National Security Strategy for the 17th Philippine President: The Case for a Limited Balancing Strategy” was written by Dr. Renato Cruz C. de Castro, who argued that relevant establishments are now questioning the incumbent administration’s policy of appeasement toward China.
For his part, Dr. Francisco A. Magno exhorted our country’s next leaders to build on reforms from the past in terms of tapping civil society and the private sector as well as capacity-building and policy integration in his study on “Governance Agenda for Development in a Post-Covid-19 Philippines.”
In her paper on “Accelerating Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation: Strengthening the Philippines’ Contribution to the Global Decarbonization Agenda,” Dr. Toby Melissa C. Monsod underscored the importance of playing a long game such as in the field of global warming. She co-authored the report with Sara Jane Ahmed and Golda P. Hilario.
Ateneo School of Government Dean Dr. Ronald U. Mendoza read excerpts from his study on “Reducing Inequality in the Philippines: Rationale and Reform Options.” He discussed the three facets of inequality in our country: weak upward mobility in the economy; vulnerability to disaster; and the concentration of power among a few political clans.
The book is divided into three sections, namely: foreign and security policy; economic development; and, good governance. The other authors whose works were included in this volume are: Prof. Richard Javad F. Heydarian, retired Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo, Dr. Chester B. Cabalza, Dr. Mely Caballero-Anthony, Dr. Charlotte Justine Diokno-Sicat, Dr. Vicente B. Paqueo, Dr. Michael R.M. Abrigo, Dr. Magdalena A. Barcelon, Dr. Katharina Anne D. Berza, Dr. Eleanor A. Jara, Dr. Sherwin E. Ona and Dr. Rizal G. Buendia.
Manhit emphasized the need for an innovative government and disruptive leadership that will put game-changing reforms in place at this crucial juncture in our nation’s history. According to him: “We need a government with crystal-clear vision and one that is ready to harness the nation’s talents, craft a sustainable development strategy and uphold the rule of law at all times.”
So help us God.
*** Joseph Gamboa is the chairman of the Finex Media Affairs Committee and director of Noble Asia Industrial Corp.
The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of these institutions and the BusinessMirror. #FinexPhils www.finex.org.ph