Understanding the Bureaucracy–Is there a way out?

Posted on October 25, 2007
Filed Under Parenting and Family, Peace amd Governance | Viewed 1563 times

This was written by one of m kids—who wants to remain anonymous.

Is There A Way Out?

Filipino families are very close-knit. Unlike our foreign counterparts from, let’s say, the United States, our familial ties are almost impossible to break. Extended families live in compounds with houses that are only a few feet away from one another, and children are allowed to sleep in their parents’ beds until they are moments away from being adolescents. Unlike in the U.S., children in the Philippines are not “sent away” to college, but remain living under their parents’ roof. This living arrangement lasts not only until they graduate, but continues even for a much longer time thereafter. It is common to see people in their 30’s who are already working but are still living with their parents… some couples even get married, but opt not to buy a house of their own. The younger generation is very dependent on their elders, and this leads to the delayed or stunted emotional and economic development of these people.

Our culture is like that, and such practices are manifest even in the socio-economic and political level. The same names always come up as winners in the elections, and the same faces are seen in the lifestyle and society pages of newspapers and magazines. Strong family ties are good, but when it is used to merely benefit the group at the expense of others, then it ceases to be a good thing.

Although political dynasties are prohibited by the 1987 Constitution, it seems as the Marcoses and the Aquinos, the Cayetanos and Escuderos, the Remullas and the Villafuertes, the Ejercitos and the Arroyos, are the ones that keep on getting elected and re-elected. Though supposedly prohibited, the constitutional provision is unfortunately not self-executing, and further legislation is needed for it to be effective and implemented. So why is there no such law in existence, after 20 years? The answer is self-explanatory.

With regard to businesses, while there is no prohibition on having the same families owning large business conglomerates, the overflowing wealth of the Ayalas, Zobels, Sys, and Tans, is like a slap in the face of the millions of impoverished people who on a daily basis have almost nothing to eat. After all, does anybody ever need that much money? There is such a thing as being too rich, and the term “filthy rich” was coined for a reason. A hundred million pesos can buy a mansion, a fleet of luxury cars, dozens of designer handbags, and still have enough left to feed a family for their entire life. And these people have, not only millions, but billions.

Our country is supposedly a democratic country, but instead of being ruled by the people, it seems to be being run only be a few select people, and they’re using up the country’s resources not for the good of the nation, but simply for their own good. The political administration and economic market is considered as a family business… and we ordinary people are not part of the family. The powerful politicians and the billionaire businessmen have merged and conspired with one another, and created the monster that is Booty Capitalism.

So, is there a way out?

Yes. The most obvious way is to migrate to another country. But then again, that is tantamount to giving up.

The grasp of the oligarchs on our markets and our administration is very strong, that extreme measures are needed to loosen their grip. The country may either adopt a protectionist policy, or a very liberal one.

The first option is to stop trying to compete with forces of the global market, and instead focus on small and budding business enterprises, and help them compete within the country. Industries should be regulated and subsidies and support should be given to entrepreneurs with new products to offer. Since larger companies are able to mass-produce and therefore able to sell products at a cheaper price, smaller companies should be given preference, and should be given not only tax exemptions, but also financial support in the form of low or zero interest loans or grants. Instead of establishing free competition, there should be fair competition. Fair trade should be the goal, instead of free trade. Small companies need more protection and incentives from the government. A morally conscious economic approach should be adopted, instead of simply being money conscious.

A concrete example would be to change the way rice is being brought to our tables. Most of our rice is being imported from neighboring Asian countries because it is much cheaper to import than to buy from our local farmers. Local rice needs to be priced at a higher rate because it is expensive to produce – the lands where rice is cultivated, and the items needed for processing and delivery, do not belong to the farmers themselves. They have to pay for the lease of the land, for rent of the equipment, for the transportation, and for the fertilizer. If local farmers are given their own lands, and own machinery, then not only rice, but other agricultural products can be sold at a much, much lower price. The distribution of such land and supplies may seem very expensive at first, but such may be considered as long-term investments.

The problem with this option, however, is that the industries may become, in a sense, spoiled, and stop developing and innovating since they are being protected by the government anyway. They may become lax and be content with the state that they are in, and not come up with new ideas and better ways of serving the people, and remain dependent on the government.

On the other end of the spectrum, complete liberalization of the market would force industries to become more efficient and competitive. If foreign contenders are allowed to penetrate our market, the people are given more options to choose from, thus eliminating the monopolies that the oligarchs have over us. Local companies will be forced to adapt and compete, resulting in better products and services, and lower prices. There won’t be substandard productions, as the demand and the choice of the people would be the controlling factor.

However, a too open market may result in predatory competition, and local enterprises may end up getting annihilated.

So which way should we take?

The word “balance” may be overused, but it is actually they key to solving almost all predicaments. The problem is when and how to find it. But I think that the government can and should choose which industries should be protected, and the ones should be developed and exposed to foreign competition.

The enterprises involved in the agricultural industry should remain lodged in the local level, and instead of aiming to be competitive with the foreign forces, the objective should be to be capable of supplying local needs at affordable prices.

On the other hand, manpower, technical and professional skills of the Filipino people themselves should be open and compete for job openings offered by developed countries. Nurses bring in foreign currency that in turn boosts the power of our own, and the call-center industry is booming, with our natural grasp of the English language as compared with other Asian countries.

A last option would be to try to instill some social consciousness and responsibility in the hearts of the oligarchs, and make them realize that nobody needs that much money. They could simply share the wealth. But then again, that would be wishful thinking.

Comments

15 Responses to “Understanding the Bureaucracy–Is there a way out?”

mr nice ash on October 26th, 2007 6:16 am

Great article indeed. I suppose it’s a school work assigned by a college instructor. therefore, that anonymous author is one of your college kids.

i have never wrote an article longer than half of this. while the idea is maintained.

i’ll be proud to reveal myself if i am the author of this.
chase on October 26th, 2007 2:18 pm

Wonderful article. Honestly, I really liked the culture abroad in regards to family ties. Despite they are quite independent they still love each other and if one has problems everybody is there to give a helping. It is also a preparation for an adult to enter the real world. 18 years old there have their own apartments and job while here in the Philippines they are still on diapers.
myepinoy on October 27th, 2007 5:50 am

This is one good article. I consider this as very idealistic view of things, reflective of the age of writer.

Once again, this proves that Rizal is right. The youth is the hope our nation.
analyse on October 27th, 2007 9:10 pm

incentives from the government? is there such a thing in the phils? well, just asking.. my dad has a small piece of land, and i never saw an incentive from the govt bumagyo man or whatever..

nicely-written post.. makes the reader think about the country for a while.. re: rice coming from the neighboring countries.. yes, it’s cheaper but it’s killing local farmers, hay buhay.. how could we grow if we don’t even support our local products…
vk on October 27th, 2007 9:19 pm

ay oo nga sa trabaho kanina, we talked about filipinos-student compared to german student,

dahil, yon infront sa store where i work, ay book store, tapos naggulohan bumili ng Harry Potter books…..

sabi ko, frankly to them, i don´t care what my co-workers says n think….

sabi ko, mas mga Matalino ang mga filipino compare to german student…....this is also my observation n own Isip, sabi ko sa kanila…......
sabi ko pa, matalino ang mga filipino, kaya lang wla kaming FUNDS for educational, kung mayaman sana ang Pinas or meron Funds kagaya dito, siguro mas pa kami kay dito…..

siguro, progressive ang pinas at pareho kami dito, or lalo na ang mga students…....basta sabi ko mga Intellegent ang mga Filipinos….kulang MONEY lang….....

timing rin, nabasa ko dito sa post mo…..

sigi, happy weenkend na lang…..
vk on October 27th, 2007 9:34 pm

buying products from other countries?

pareho na rin din dito….kasi mora ang sa other countries as compared to Made in germany….

paano na rin kung lahat made outside na lang at bumili made outside..,,,,paano ang mga anak namin in the future, the Economy din…..

cheap sa labas daw, kasi low ang payment sa labor and taxes….....compared here.

magulo ano? kahit saan na siguro…...

pero i would say, mabuti pa rin dito compare dyan…

kasi the money we pay-taxes, nakita namin saan na punta…......meron nakita pa rin.

again, thank you very much for sharing this very interesting Post.
Midas on October 28th, 2007 3:12 pm

Great article, but I do believe Filipino does have exclusivity with treasuring family ties. True, divorce rates are very high, and children filing for freedom from their parents are known, it’s not “all” of US. It’s only what the media pays attention to. Even though they are American living in United States, they care about families and relatives and extended families too.

While it’s true some more independent souls choose to get their own place when they go to college, it’s not unheard of to stay with their parent’s house until they get married. People in US are just like Filipinoes too. Some cares for their families, and others do not.

Stereotyping is never a good idea. I wouldn’t want to be called ‘that Filipino- domestic helper seguro.’
Midas on October 28th, 2007 3:14 pm

I am very impressed with the writing and the composition of this article. Whoever wrote it, Great job! You must be so proud Ms. Dine.
julie on October 29th, 2007 1:50 am

Wonderful piece. Putting words into what precisely is observable around us.

I’m guessing, Monica? But then, I may be wrong. Peace!
carlotta on October 29th, 2007 7:10 am

whoever wrote that, he or she certainly expressed very well what probably almost every filipino is thinking these days. wonderful article.
tutubi on October 30th, 2007 2:59 pm

ang lalim pero it boils down to fight or flight
mixednuts on October 31st, 2007 8:58 pm

You know the old saying, “the rich get richer and he poor get poorer”. There are so many talents here that I just wish Filipinos would be getting opportunities. Regarding politics and the wealthy? If taxes were paid and collected properly, so much more can be given to the people. Corruption is yet another problem.
francesca on November 1st, 2007 8:02 am

SINO YUN?

Sa France, pag 18 na ang anak, she or he has the right to move out from the house, seek his/her independence somewhere if she likes, kasi in france all young ones are trained to have skills and eventually work.

Merong support ang govt sa young ones, Free on the job training with allowance from FRENCH govt.
Yan ang wala sa Pinas.
annamanila on November 2nd, 2007 1:10 am

I sure can use this piece for small enterprise and entrepreneurship articles i am often asked to write. Fine piece of research! The Philippines often rank up there in terms of bureaucratic red tape and … corruption which spook investors away.
abbie on November 3rd, 2007 9:58 am

Hello, tita dine. I’m back after a long hibernation. Much like your kid (great article by the way), I am tired of such practices in our society. But as you have said, there is a way out. Unfortunately that way will take years before it actually be a habit. What we can do now is educate the younger generation to the “correct” or much better way of thinking like practical financial literacy of a common person. But then easier said than done but not impossible.