12-POINT REFORM AGENDA FOR 2010 AND BEYOND
April 27, 2010
As we are about to undergo an important political exercises in 2010, I thought of writing down some of my ideas to consider in choosing the right persons to lead our country in the next decades. It has been 10 years since we celebrated the Great Jubilee Year and in retrospect, we have become worst rather than better. I hope that by sharing these thoughts, I will be able to contribute in my own little way in inspiring others not to lose hope. After all, it is the only country that we have. Incidentally, it is a beautiful country and Filipinos can be excellent people ONLY when given the opportunity to go beyond self. It is time, we think of the welfare of our country first before our self and our families this coming election.
1. MORAL RECOVERY PROGRAM – It is about time that our political and religious leaders work hand in hand to bring about moral order in Philippine society. Freedom of worship and religion must be guaranteed. The family must be strengthened as the basic unit of society. Promote the values of integrity, excellence and service starting from the home, school, church and communities. There must be zero tolerance against violence, corruption and exploitation. Bring back the BAYANIHAN SPIRIT in order to instill civic consciousness and sense of patriotism among citizenry.
2. QUALITY EDUCATION FOR ALL – National Development is always anchored on the education of the citizenry. The government must invest in the development of the human capital. After all, the greatest resource of the nation are the people themselves. We need to provide the people with the right knowledge, skills and values to make them productive. Some concrete programs are: increase the per capita cost for education; increase the number of years of basic education to 12 years; promote the trilingual policy in schools, government and business; strengthen the Professional Education according to world standards; make reading as the national past time; extensive pre-service and in-training for teachers; etc.
3. SOUND FISCAL MANAGEMENT – Work on a Balanced National Budget. Review or audit the National Debts and to refuse to service onerous or fraudulent loans. Simplify the taxation system to make collection efficient. Strict compliance of the capital market. Impose strict regulations among financial, banking and pre-need companies. Maximize the use of government resources for sustainable development. Minimize wastage of limited government resources.
4. PEACE AND ORDER – Order is the first requisite of democracy. Respect the rule of the law. In order for the country to move forward, there must be peace in the land. Strike peace and agreements with the revolutionary groups and at the same time pursue cases against criminals and terrorists. Overhaul the entire justice system to make it free from corruption and inefficiencies. Adhere to the protection of basic human rights. Implement an Integrated National ID System. Promote international understanding with the other countries and states. Aim for a zero crime rate in every barangay through citizen’s involvement. Professionalize the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.
5. FRIENDLY BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT – Improve frontline services of the government by minimizing red tape and eradicating corruption. Grant incentives to SME’s and local entrepreneurs. Provide a good working relation between labor and management to ensure greater productivity and harmony.
6. ADEQUATE SOCIAL SERVICES – Provide access to primary health care from the Barangay to Provincial levels. Strengthen the Philhealth Program. Expand the program of PAG-IBIG to make housing affordable. Subject the GSIS and SSS to an independent and transparent actuarial valuation to ensure their viability. Develop vocation and technical programs for the Out-of-School youth. More budget for the DSWD to serve the needs of street children, elderly, indigent members of society, etc.
7. SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT – Give incentives to scientists and researchers in terms of study grants, scholarships and employment opportunities. Strengthen the math and science curriculum. Establish science and technology centers in every region. Linkages with international agencies, universities and companies in relation to research development.
8. INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT – The government must invest in utilities such as power generation, water supply, proper garbage disposal, sewerage system, mass transport system, traffic management, irrigation system, farm to market roads, bridges, post-service facilities and clearing of waterways from garbage and informal dwellers.
9. ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION – Full implementation of RA 9003 and the Clean Air Act. There must be a massive tree planting program initiated by government and private sectors. Declare a moratorium on the issuance of logging permits. Criminalize the cutting of trees in national parks, watershed areas, etc. Review the Mining Act and revoke all mining permits that do not comply with the international safety standards.
10. TOURISM DEVELOPMENT – Make the Philippines as one of the top tourist destinations of the world considering the beautiful SMILES, bright SUNNY days, fine SAND, blue SEA, clean SOURROUNDINGS, and the SAFETY/SECURITY of the visitors. Restore and protect all historical heritage places and national treasures. Criminalize Sex Tours and other decadent activities. Promote the “DON’T BE A STRANGER TO YOUR OWN COUNTRY PROJECT.” Develop tge “THIS IS MY HOMETOWN” concept of Eco Tourism. Identify a “scenic highways” from Sarangani to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte to be sponsored by the DPWH and the Local Government Units with the Private Sectors.
11. CULTURE AND ARTS – Promote the rich Philippine Culture and Arts including its history, folklore, music, literature, dances, etc.
12. RE-STRUCTURING THE POLITICAL SYSTEM – In order for the Philippine Politics to mature, it must transform itself from patronage politics to program oriented governance. It is high time to organize a political party from the grassroots with a vision and specific program of government. Young leaders must be recruited, given the orientation and training towards a kind of leadership that is based on stewardship and service.
Among the most urgent things that need to be done are the appointment of persons of integrity in the COMELEC, cleansing of the Voters’ List and the Computerization of the Electoral Process.
Once a new President and Vice President are elected, there is a need to call for a Constitutional Convention to review or revise the Constitution to make it attuned to the modern times especially on the issues of the form of government and the economic provisions.
In the revision of the Constitution, it should tilt towards transparency and accountability in governance; empowerment of the local government units by ensuring a bigger share in the retention of the revenue allocation; streamlining of the bureaucracy; upgrading of the compensation package of the government officials; abolition of the “pork barrel” fund; channeling of “intelligence fund” to more meaningful activities such as sports, livelihood, environmental protection, skills training, etc.
The new government should focus on the ethics of hard work and wholesome entertainment rather than the culture of instant gratification such as gambling, drugs, alcoholism, illicit sex and other promiscuous activities.
By Bro. Manuel V. de Leon, FMS; the Provincial Superior of the Marist Brothers in East Asia. He is also the Founding President of Sagip Ka 2000 Foundation, Inc. promoting PINOY, MARANGAL KA by GOING BACK TO THE BASIC. He is a TOYM ’91 Awardee for Education.
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