STRAIGHT FROM THE BIG CITY

Danger of safety nets
Ike ‘Ka Iking’ Seneres

Globalization is here in the same manner that global warming is also here, but there is no doubt that safety nets for these two threats are definitely not here. By comparison, it seems that we had more time to prepare for global warming than we did for globalization, but just the same we came out unprepared for this long term environmental disaster. Fortunately, it is not too late to do something to ease the impacts of these two problems, before the worst case scenarios would occur. **

As far as these two threats are concerned, there appears to be no centralized coordinating bodies for both of them, and because of this vacuum, the two threats have become more serious and alarming. On the practical side, the first step that the government should do is to identify the agencies that should lead these two policy processes, but apparently this has not been done either.

As far as the globalization threat is concerned, it appears that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) should be the logical lead agency other than the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) which is the other logical choice. As far as the global warming threat is concerned, it could be a toss up between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) but either way, the DOST should really play an important role. **

As I see it, the “safety nets” mentality appears to be defeatist in character because it is oriented towards reacting to a negative reality, rather than taking on a positive posture towards winning in the game of global competition.

Aside from “safety nets”, we would have been in a better position had the government earlier come up with “strategic programs” that would have ensured the competitive edge of Filipino companies in global markets.
**

Now you hear him now you don’t, Senator Mar Roxas came out of his silent mode to call for “safety nets” in relation to the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA). Nice to hear, but what is our assurance that these “nets” could be put in place after seeing that the “nets” in relation to the World Trade Organization (WTO) were never implemented?
**

FAILED BILATERALS: In reality, the JPEPA is not the first and only bilateral agreement between Japan and the Philippines . As far as I know, no “safety nets” were implemented for these other agreements. Truth to tell, the government has not even come out with public reports about whatever benefits we might have made from these pacts, and now this JPEPA comes into the picture.
**

UNCERTIFIED SEEDS: There is good news in the promotion of jathropa as a source of diesel fuel, but there is bad news in the absence of a system that would certify the quality of seeds that are being sold in the market.

The lack of a certification authority might frustrate the ambitions of those who are going into this tree planting business. Which government agency is in a position to lead the establishment of this authority? Is it the Department of Agriculture (DA) or is it the Department of Energy (DOA)? Could it even be the DENR?
**

OTHER ENERGY SOURCES: I can understand the excitement over the introduction of jathropa as a new energy source, but what are we doing to promote the other existing energy sources such as palm oil, coconut oil and sugar cane?

As we build our confidence that we could indeed develop new sources, we should first establish our track record in developing the other sources, otherwise we might just be overwhelmed by passing fads that will not take us anywhere in the long term.
**

MODIFIED IN DISGUISE: It may just be a play of words, but the “hybrid” rice that is being distributed by the government apparently contains a genetically modified organism (GMO). Why is there no disclosure about this fact? Since the government is duty bound to lead in the implementation of labeling laws in connection with the WTO, it would appear that the government is acting in bad faith by hiding this fact.
**

STRONG PESO: Exporters and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are complaining that the lower conversion rate from dollar to pesos is bad for them. Several export companies have reportedly closed, and the budgets of OFW have gone haywire. Could the Central Bank still do something?
**

Tune in to "Gulong ng Kabuhayan" on DZXL (558 KHZ) Mon to Fri 6 to 6:45 p.m. Join the InterCharity Network. We assist you in looking for a job, starting a small business or getting a scholarship. Email ike@kaiking.net or text us at 09196466323.Unit 324, Guadalupe Commercial Complex, Makati