The thrusts of the ten-point agenda are:

1. The creation of six million jobs in six years via more opportunities given to entrepreneurs, tripling of the amount of loans for lending to small and medium enterprises and the development of one to two million hectares of land for agricultural business.

2. The construction of new buildings, classrooms, provision of desks and chairs and books for students and scholarships to poor families,

3. The balancing of the budget,

4. The "decentralization" of progress around the nation through the use of transportation networks like the roll-on, roll-off and the
digital infrastructure,

5. The provision of electricity and water supply to barangays
nationwide,

6. The decongestion of Metro Manila by forming new cores of government and housing centers in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,

7. The development of Clark and Subic as the best international service and logistic centers in the region,

8. The automation of the electoral process,

9. A just end to the peace process, and

10. A fair closure to the divisiveness among the Edsa 1, 2 and 3 forces.

I don't think it is a question of feasibility. I think it is a question of political will. Majority of these "points" require money. Where will the government get the money for loans to entrepreneurs, school buildings, etc? Pork barrel? Dream on, Philippines. It would be easier to extract blood from a stone than to get tongressmen to give up their loot. Taxes? What taxes? We have the worst collection rate in Asia (wouldn't be surprised if we had a worse tax collection effort than Bangladesh). Add to this that corruption drains 20% (at least) of the national coffers annually, what would be left for school buildings, houses, transport facilities and all the other promises? (Don't forget national debt...)

It seems that these so-called points are one of those "motherhood statements" that easily roll off the mouths of politicians but with no vision as to how to achieve them. Decentralization of progress, balancing the budget, water, food, shelter, clothing. Heck, we've heard all these promises. Panahon pa ni Limahong pinapangako na sa atin yun!

Forgive my skepticism, but as far as promises from politicians go, I'll believe it when I see it. In the meantime, I will continue working for the financial advancement of my family, pay my taxes for the financial advancement of my country (don't know if I'll have a double-take on this one, though), and obey the laws of the land. I think every good citizen SHOULD not only make an effort to do these things but to actually DO them as second nature. Only then will the cancer that is anarchy gradually subside and hopefully disappear.

Cheers!

agree with Radonc -- motherhood statements and generalities.

i'd like to see how she plans to measure progress against these goals. save for the first, all others are lacking in quantifiable targets. or was taht just left out in the first post?

1. The creation of six million jobs in six years via more opportunities given to entrepreneurs, tripling of the amount of loans for lending to small and medium enterprises and the development of one to two million hectares of land for agricultural business.
-> Possible, if GMA's full 6-term will not be disrupted. There are official reports of her achievement with regards to generating more than 3 million jobs (1 million jobs/year) during her term. This is due to the funding of AFMA and attracting foreign investors.

2. The construction of new buildings, classrooms, provision of desks and chairs and books for students and scholarships to poor families,
-> These were already realized projects. She only needs to continue the funding of these abovementioned subjects to benefit millions of students in the country.

3. The balancing of the budget,
-> GMA is an economist. She would surely encouraged all government agencies to cooperate with this mission.

4. The "decentralization" of progress around the nation through the use of transportation networks like the roll-on, roll-off and the
digital infrastructure,
-> I've seen a brochure of the RORO - the prices of each ride/destination is cheaper and traders will agree that their business has earned more due to it's affordability and the preservation of freshness of their products (esp. agricultutal). Since, I love to travel out of town, I've seen some of it's terminals - it's huge and pleasant. Digital Infrastructure? - Hmmm... honestly, i haven't heard anything like that. But from the sound of it, it's technology written all over it.

5. The provision of electricity and water supply to barangays
nationwide,
-> Before, there are lots of barangays especially to some remote areas in the provinces has no electricity, but evidently, there are official reports that many of these areas have electricity now. They can watch their favorite telenovela now. With regards to water supply: Unfortunately, in Manila it's still a major problem. But in fairness, during GMA's administration there were many barangays, where a communal water tank was stationed or regularly goes to their barangay to supply the whole barangay. This is GMA's Patubig Project. Nevertheless, with PAGCOR's help, another action taken with regards to this project is the fixing of water pipes from affected barangays. As we all know, due to the ballooning population in Metro Manila, chaotic connections of water pipes is worsening.

6. The decongestion of Metro Manila by forming new cores of government and housing centers in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,
-> Let's all pray "Sana, magdilang anghel sya"

7. The development of Clark and Subic as the best international service and logistic centers in the region,
-> Doable

8. The automation of the electoral process,
-> hmmm... hope so

9. A just end to the peace process, and
-> Possible

10. A fair closure to the divisiveness among the Edsa 1, 2 and 3 forces.
-> GMA is encouraging a reconciliation between the administration and the opposition. The answer is in the hands of the latter. Maybe, if we all pray for peace, this would be a reality

No. 10 is almost impossible to achieve. For one, too much has happened since January, 2001. DVD's Court made it more difficult to achieve unity. ganito na lang: Let GMA rule in Cebu/Viasayas, FPJ in Manila/Luzon, and whoeer they want to elect in Mindanao nbased in Zamboanga or Davao. Tutal, Cebuanos are more intelligent than the electorate in Luzon, eh. So let GMA stay there na lang. Like BJ, good riddance!!

Again, the quantifications of the points seem to be very nice and believable on the surface, but a few comments.
1. Six million jobs - even if her 6 year term is not disrupted (which I am really praying it won't be), it will not address adequately the problem of not only unemployment, but underemployment. Six million jobs looks extremely nice, but look deeper. We have people with extremely good qualifications taking on jobs not suited for what their training/education actually equipped them to do. Will this AFMA thing or foreign investors address this? Foreign investors are mostly here for our CHEAP LABOR. In fact we are not that cheap anymore. They are headed for China. Funding? Show me some source of funding that has NOT been squandered by those in power or used for things other than what it was meant for. I think it's time we stopped viewing these promises through rose-colored lenses and see the reality of things. Government is screwing us and we are letting ourselves get screwed... Six million jobs... Doing what? Professionals being employed as call-centre employees?

2. School buildings, classrooms, desks, education... There was a time when our educational system was the envy of Asia. People from all over the region were standing at queues to get a chance to be enrolled at UP for the IRRI. Now people head for Malaysia, Australia or Singapore. Why? Neglect of our educational system. Does this government put any value in education? Look back and see how Raul Roco was sacked as DepEd secretary despite reforms he was instituting. For what? Political jockeying for position for 2004? Again, where will funds come from? The physical problems of buildings, classrooms, etc is just the tip of the iceberg. Heck, we can't even agree on how many years of schooling is best!!! Even if, by some miracle of divine intervention, enough classrooms are built and there are enough desks and textbooks (let's not even think about computers...), of what quality will the education be? Not every public school teacher aims to be like Intel award winner Josette Biyo (I leave it up to you to find out who she is). Where will the money to lure the country's best and brightest to pay their salary to answer the noble call of teaching? We are so pitifully behind in math, science and even English that we need not just physical but attitudinal changes in our educational system.

3. Balancing of the budget - I think it is fallacious (non-sequitour) to argue that if the president is an economist that all government agences could be encouraged to cooperate. What is the logic in that? If there is corruption and poor tax collection effort there is no blessed way this budget can be balanced.

4. Decentralization - until there is enough impetus for people to migrate to or stay in the provinces, Metro Manila will continuously be choked by increasing numbers of people coming in search of a better future. Not until peace and order is achieved in remote areas of the country will these places develop. Think this will happen in 6 years? Also, aren't we supposed to be decentralized already with the Local Government Code? We have the laws, but nobody just implements them. Given her wishy-washy nature, do you think she has the conviction to implement the LGC in its full splendor?

5. Electricity and water - Is that supposed to be HER job as well? I thought decentralization (point 4) is supposed to let LGUs handle this?

6. Decongestion of Metro Manila - see comment on motherhood statement number 4

7.Development of Clark and Subic - Doable, yes. But then, see how one little change in administration has changed the milieu in Subic. It is so divided among the Gordon and Payumo families squabbling that growth in the former US base stagnated. Clark had the same problem with Mondragon and SBMA. Politics rears its ugly shadow again...

8. Automation of the electoral process - If she was sincere in this, couldn't this have been achieved for the past election? Her appointment of Abalos was disappointing to say the least. POLITICS shot down automation and it will just be a vicious circle for as long as we have politicians in power fearing fair elections.

9. A just end to the peace process - This point requires CONVICTION. Think she has the conviction to actually end the strifes betweent the government and insurgents? Insurgency is a result of poverty. There will be no just end to insurgency if the poverty issue is not addressed. By the looks of the government's statements, there seems to be no clear direction (only general motherhood statements) on going about in poverty eradication. You cannot talk justice to a man with an empty stomach.

10. A fair closure to the divisiveness of EDSA 1,2,3. EDSA 1 was never divisive. It was a gallant undertaking of an oppressed people shouting out Tama na, sobra na! There will be no closure of EDSA I until justice is meted out to those who robbed the country blind. Again this requires CONVICTION and concerted efforts from all branches of government (not just the presidency) and the population. There can be no reconciliation without justice. Same is true for the other so-called EDSAs. This is not just concerning administration and opposition, but FILIPINO.

Enough said for now...

Again, the quantifications of the points seem to be very nice and believable on the surface, but a few comments.
-> Some say that GMA is being too ambitious if she thinks all these points will be accomplished in her 6 year term. I, too, am wondering how could she achieve all these? We’ll just see then.

1. Six million jobs - even if her 6 year term is not disrupted (which I am really praying it won't be), it will not address adequately the problem of not only unemployment, but underemployment. Six million jobs looks extremely nice, but look deeper. We have people with extremely good qualifications taking on jobs not suited for what their training/education actually equipped them to do. Will this AFMA thing or foreign investors address this? Foreign investors are mostly here for our CHEAP LABOR. In fact we are not that cheap anymore. They are headed for China. Funding? Show me some source of funding that has NOT been squandered by those in power or used for things other than what it was meant for. I think it's time we stopped viewing these promises through rose-colored lenses and see the reality of things. Government is screwing us and we are letting ourselves get screwed... Six million jobs... Doing what? Professionals being employed as call-centre employees?
->Yes, you have a point there. It’s a problem since I can’t remember when. It will really take a while, for that impasse (people w/ good qualifications taking jobs not suited with their trainings/education) to be remedied. What I think she’s doing is to generate job opportunities with the limited means that our country has and could come up. It’s a tight situation. Since there are still numerous of farmers and fishermen in our country, she made sure that AFMA will be funded accordingly. Whether we admit it or not, foreign investors had helped a lot especially to give Filipinos decent jobs. Working in call centers is a decent job and offers above minimum starting salary. Better having a job than having none.

2. School buildings, classrooms, desks, education... There was a time when our educational system was the envy of Asia. People from all over the region were standing at queues to get a chance to be enrolled at UP for the IRRI. Now people head for Malaysia, Australia or Singapore. Why? Neglect of our educational system. Does this government put any value in education? Look back and see how Raul Roco was sacked as DepEd secretary despite reforms he was instituting. For what? Political jockeying for position for 2004? Again, where will funds come from? The physical problems of buildings, classrooms, etc is just the tip of the iceberg. Heck, we can't even agree on how many years of schooling is best!!! Even if, by some miracle of divine intervention, enough classrooms are built and there are enough desks and textbooks (let's not even think about computers...), of what quality will the education be? Not every public school teacher aims to be like Intel award winner Josette Biyo (I leave it up to you to find out who she is). Where will the money to lure the country's best and brightest to pay their salary to answer the noble call of teaching? We are so pitifully behind in math, science and even English that we need not just physical but attitudinal changes in our educational system.
-> Before $1 = P2, now it’s $1 = P55.something – sad, but true
-> I’m not being bias but since, she’s our president now, I’m keeping my fingers crossed and hope that her promises will soon become a reality. Even before the campaign period, she has been working on uplifting the quality of education in our country and there are official reports on this.
-> Yes, there were many competitive teachers who has already flown to other countries which offers higher salaries. Since DepEd’s Bridge Program did not push through due to the persistent disapproval by many parents, DepEd has come up with an assessment test for grade 4 students and 3rd year high school instead last June 29, 2004. The results will identify the status of the student’s knowledge on Math, Science & English.

3. Balancing of the budget - I think it is fallacious (non-sequitour) to argue that if the president is an economist that all government agencies could be encouraged to cooperate. What is the logic in that? If there is corruption and poor tax collection effort there is no blessed way this budget can be balanced.
-> Being an expert economist, she has a broader knowledge on specific measures to implement so as to balance the budget. And from what I’ve read from newspapers and the net, the administration is laying few proposals of taxation to augment the government’s diminutive budget. It’s just but a part of her strategy to balance the budget by encouraging government agencies to cooperate but the decision is still up to these government agencies. It’s like wooing a girl. You have to be very patient yet persistent to finally accomplish a positive answer. That’s the logic of it. Your last sentence is truthful. But, in fairness to her work during her 3-year term, she has resorted to e-procurement (open-bidding/open to public) & lifestyle check. With regards to poor tax collection, I’ve read a few months ago that tax collection has improved. If you want, I’ll research about this article.

4. Decentralization - until there is enough impetus for people to migrate to or stay in the provinces, Metro Manila will continuously be choked by increasing numbers of people coming in search of a better future. Not until peace and order is achieved in remote areas of the country will these places develop. Think this will happen in 6 years? Also, aren't we supposed to be decentralized already with the Local Government Code? We have the laws, but nobody just implements them. Given her wishy-washy nature, do you think she has the conviction to implement the LGC in its full splendor?
-> Honestly, if in case this would be realized, it’d be a very slow process. If not in 6 years time, maybe at least 70%. The next president should work on the 30%. I’m not quite familiar with all its contents but do you honestly think even way before GMA’s term, we’re we absolutely decentralized before? The Philippine Government is an infant compare to other nations. It’s economy as well as its politics and system is not yet stable. With regards to leadership, we have had several competent ones. After the unfortunate fate of Erap, we had GMA. For the benefit of all Filipinos, we have to be vigilant with her actions. Let’s be keen but let’s give her a chance to accomplish these 10 point agenda. I’m not saying that GMA is our country’s redeemer. We have a long way ahead of us. The triumph of her plans, if not 100%, will leave a legacy to the next president of our country.

5. Electricity and water - Is that supposed to be HER job as well? I thought decentralization (point 4) is supposed to let LGUs handle this?
-> It’s not supposed to be her job, but she’s helping. Since the rightful agencies are very slow in their procedures, should she ignore the sufferings of the affected Filipinos? I’m sure they won’t mind and they would be glad that their constituents will benefit her action about the matter.

6. Decongestion of Metro Manila - see comment on motherhood statement number 4
-> Palace allays fears of dislocation due to decongestion plan (July 1, 2004)
My Webpage

7.Development of Clark and Subic - Doable, yes. But then, see how one little change in administration has changed the milieu in Subic. It is so divided among the Gordon and Payumo families squabbling that growth in the former US base stagnated. Clark had the same problem with Mondragon and SBMA. Politics rears its ugly shadow again...
-> Regardless of the hindrances, it is doable.

8. Automation of the electoral process - If she was sincere in this, couldn't this have been achieved for the past election? Her appointment of Abalos was disappointing to say the least. POLITICS shot down automation and it will just be a vicious circle for as long as we have politicians in power fearing fair elections.
-> I was also wondering why it didn’t push through. Sayang naman pagpapapicture ko. hehehe

9. A just end to the peace process - This point requires CONVICTION. Think she has the conviction to actually end the strifes between the government and insurgents? Insurgency is a result of poverty. There will be no just end to insurgency if the poverty issue is not addressed. By the looks of the government's statements, there seems to be no clear direction (only general motherhood statements) on going about in poverty eradication. You cannot talk justice to a man with an empty stomach.
-> This is just one of the articles that would answer to this topic:
Mindanao as country's food basket soon a reality, says GMA (July 1, 2004)My Webpage

10. A fair closure to the divisiveness of EDSA 1,2,3. EDSA 1 was never divisive. It was a gallant undertaking of an oppressed people shouting out Tama na, sobra na! There will be no closure of EDSA I until justice is meted out to those who robbed the country blind. Again this requires CONVICTION and concerted efforts from all branches of government (not just the presidency) and the population. There can be no reconciliation without justice. Same is true for the other so-called EDSAs. This is not just concerning administration and opposition, but FILIPINO.
-> The Healing Must Start from the People (July 1, 2004)My Webpage

That was an interesting post by happy soul. It is just a wonder that the webpage link took me to the website of the office of the press secretary. Of course there are going to be very "optimistic" (I will refrain from using the term "sugarcoated") statements and statistics. There is a very enlightening view presented by Boo Chanco in the 2 July issue of the Philippine Star today that may shed light on the apparent damage control this administration is doing with regard to information they are releasing to the public. Remeber the chicken crisis last December? ("We have enough supply" - Cito Lorenzo). Anyway, I'll leave it up to you to read it if you have time or inclination to...

I would like to react to all the posts, but with the weekend coming and my brain is in cruise control. Needless to say, I don't want to rain on your parade of optimism. I truly hope for the sake of the country that they all push through. Perhaps next week... Have a good weekend...

thanx for the comment. well, i love to surf the net. and i thought that this link will best answer some of your queries. happy weekend to you too.

Political will is what will ultimately determine if any of these 10 points will be made by the end of GMA's 6-year term. I am sure no one here is rooting for her administration to fail, but we have to be wary of making these kinds of promises right from the get-go. None of these are new if we take a look at the inaugural statements of our other Presidents: getting tough on crime, upholding the rule of law, generating employment, balancing the budget and stopping deficit spending, blah-blah-blah.

With the exception of the second half of Fidel Ramos' term, and Marcos' first term, there hasn't been much by way of delivery hereabouts. NEDA and DTI can churn out all of the stats they want but the bottomline remains the same: the ordinary Pinoy is worse off now than he was even three years ago. Pump prices of gas and LPG is higher, utility rates are higher, PUV fares are higher, even the goddam toll rates are higher. All this while, wages haven't kept up with these increasing prices, tax collection hasn't improved against the biggest earners and there hasn't been much improvement in homegrown industries.

Its good GMA at least provides numbers that the people can see and gauge. But this means little to the working stiffs who are now paying more to get to their minimum-wage jobs, just to make enough money to be broke within a couple of days of getting their pay. There are plenty of good ideas out there, plenty of good people who care about the country. But the biggest problem of government is simply that they're too damn big and top-heavy and cumbersome to take notice, or to look for these good ideas. So they wind up simply giving the President a nice speech and the people very little to really look forward to.

Re: joescoundrel's post - well said. I guess we've heard enough promises since time immemorial (ad nauseam) which have remained promises until now. Only problem is, don't you think that we are at that point in our history that we as a nation stand on the threshold of "make or break"? And that those in power as well as the population at large seem to be in "cruise control" not wanting any radical changes to the status quo? Or am I just being paranoid?...

Yours (statement) is but an honest point of view and it's normal to think that way. With our country's economic and political condition, we are all likely to panic. But, what else can we do? Should we rather be pessimistic? My personal view on the matter, is that it's better to look at the brighter side of things. Weighing the blessings and thinking of the opposite as a trial and error experience. Trust me. It won't hurt.

Sometimes, we can be fixated with the shortcomings of the government. But we can always resort to continuous monitoring, research, et.al. There are government websites which we could always visit. Why don't we read lots of newspapers? It doesn't always bring bad news. Instead of complaining, we could learn about the whole truth through inexorable efforts. I'll give you an example, contradictory to hearsays that "unemployment" has increased, there's an official report which shows that employment has increased to 13.5%. Please click the link below:

mb.com.ph

sorry, 1st time ko lang mag attach ng link. kaya di ko napalitan ang title ng web page. hehehe

Yes, yes, I have read of the unemployment numbers, but that is just icing...

Those numbers reflect those that are underemployed and temporarily employed (agriculture sector employment during harvest season).

I remember a few posts back about it being better to have a low paying job than none at all... Now that I don't agree with. Why must we settle for "puwede na"? Mediocrity has no place in a nation trying to achieve greatness. It has no place in a populace who thinks so highly of the "galing ng Pinoy". In Dante's Inferno, the last circle of Hell was reserved for the mediocre. I think that Dante had a point there...

Yes, we must have a positive outlook, but we must not compromise our standards of how we want our country to be. That will just hinder us from achieving greatness. Now do you want your children to grow up in a society that will settle for "puwede na"?

I think it IS time to panic, but we must channel that panic to productive activities and not bedlam... We DON'T have time for trial and error. We (and government) know what is wrong with the country. We (and government), however, do not have the will to change them.

Prayer of St Francis... the strength to change things we can... If Singapore can transform their barren rock of an island to the busiest port in Asia in LESS than 30 years, why can't we? We are blessed with more abundant resources in terms of populace and natural resources. Ano? Mas magaling sila sa atin?

The present situation of our country which GMA is handling is by far the most challenging among the past administrations. The domino effect of the oil price increase has already taken effect. Even the price of Juan dela Cruz's pandesal has increased. Anti-GMA would say, "height na lang ni GMA and hindi tumataas". Despite of this fact, the administration is not tolerating the country's predicament. That is why GMA is aiming high by trying to implement her 10-point agenda. If all these were realized, would it not benefit the Filipinos?

In my opinion, even GMA would not want to settle for "pwede na". In reference to what I've recently replied to your message, it was just my way of viewing the issue (underemployment) in a positive outlook. But, I do agree that we should not settle for "pwede na". If we truly want to succeed, we have to earn it through earnest efforts. That includes the government's role in ensuring this.

happy_soul,
We can argue intentions all the way to Kingdom Come and still get no resolutions. However, this (and most other) administrations never go beyond lip service as regards the upliftment of the present state that we are in. Promises need to be kept and the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

At the present time, I think the burden of proof of sincerity lies with the government. A very BIG "If" there, wouldn't you say? My challenge to the government is "PROVE IT". In the Oregon-Oxford type of debate, the burden of proof lies with the affirmative and with the negative lies the burden of rebuttal. And by proof I don't just mean numbers. Until I see the riles community significantly slashed, until crime and corruption does not dominate front pages in our major dailies, until our children get competent teachers, until we plug the brain drain, until we plug the budget deficit, until we rid ourselves of political dynasties and the inane shenanigans of clowns in the legistature, hoodlums in robes and in uniform, until that day we can stand up in front of the entire global community and say without a tinge of shame "Ako ay Pilipino", I will remain critical of government. The ball is in THEIR court right now and not in mine.

Government promises should always be taken with many grains of salt, and quite frankly, if even half of those promises were ever met, we wouldn't be in the mess we are in right now. Our people need leaders who lead by example, those who show good leadership. Pinoys abroad do so well because the systems where they excell are made for excellence. That cannot be said here. Just take a look at GMA's leadership itself. She went back on her word about not running, used government money to advance her election, and basically didn't do much during the 3-plus years she was in office previous. Let us by all means support government initiatives that seek to alleviate our woes, but let us not be so naive as to think that pronouncements from government are guarantees to prosperity.

I've seen for myself how hard the President works, having worked in government for several years. Unfortunately I've also seen how government itself works, and it sucks hard. The really good and talented people don't stay for too long because they go up against so much red tape, inefficiency, political backstabbing and corruption. And when you try to do something about it the whole damn system rears up and wants to tear your head off for being too "meddlesome".

Incredibly enough it is the President who can stay above all of this. It is the President who can crack the whip and keep everyone in line. GMA didn't do it previously, having no clear popular mandate as it were. Now things look to be different, and I certainly hope they are. But the question here now is political will. Does GMA have the moxie to deliver on her 10 Points, or is she going to be overwhelmed yet again with political issues that have little to do with the immediate, sustainable and long-term alleviation of our woes as a country?

Already there are issues such as the shift to a Parliamentary government, the shuffle of government secretaries and heads of office, the impending power rate hike, the growing clamor for legislated across the board wage increases that will already test the resolve of the President within her first 100 days. Can she keep her eye on the ball and deliver the 10 Points or will she fumble? It says here she'll be lucky to deliver on half of the 6 million jobs she talked about, and very little else.

It is exactly this naivete that lulls the Filipino into complacency every single time promises by politicians are made. Call us too trusting or just plain naive, but we seem to fall for those promises of a better tomorrow without really analyzing track records and performance by these so-called leaders.
I think your next paragraph already answered this query. The fact that immediately after inauguration, the thrust was on politics and accomodation of vested interests instead of buckling down to work is ominous and frankly quite depressing...

"Let us begin"... John F Kennedy during his inaugural speech. vis-a-vis
"I do not wish to be a great president"... GMA after EDSA 2. Was she even the good one as she targeted herself to be? Mediocrity slapping us in the face...

During her first Cabinet meeting, she in no uncertain terms told her Cabinet secretaries to follow her ten-point agenda or feel free to resign. If she has been perceived to be lacking in political will before, it might be traced to her lack of a popular mandate. Now that she has one, we might expect better.

Anyway, most of the programs related to her ten-point agenda already exist. They would now be receiving higher priority in terms of financing.

The NEDA is currently working on translating the 10-point agenda into actual programs and projects. The NEDA will also push for the implementation thereof, as it has done with the various development plans in the past, through its various committees on social development, infrastructure, and tariff and related matters, among others, which have the relevant implementing government agencies as members.

So yes, orders do come from above, and there is an agency of bulldogs who will do what they can to make sure that these are followed in the interests of national development.

I sure hope this is true. Just a curious thought crossed my mind... GMA has been president for the 3-odd years after EDSA 2. Ergo, this so-called 10-point agenda should have been addressed as early as January 3 years ago. Bakit hindi nagawa yun? Preparing the 2004 campaign? Hardly professional...
Also, even before she made her inaugural address, shouldn't there already be concrete projects ready when she assumes office after the election? Nobody runs in elections to lose. Surely GMA was preparing to win the election. Why is NEDA only brainstorming NOW for the realization of her motherhood statements?

I just hope the agency IS composed of bulldogs who are willing and able to implement the programs. I also hope that these bulldogs don't turn out to be chihuahuas...

Ngayon lang lumabas yang 10-point agenda na yan. If you will remember her 2001 State of the Nation Address, she gave emphasis to other things like 1 million jobs in the agricultural sector, promotion of ICT, etc. And then in 2002 she concentrated more on anti-terrorism, I think.


There are projects ongoing with respect to agricultural competitiveness, electrification and infrastructure, among others.


Hee, well, like I said, ngayon lang kasi niya sinabi yan. I know it sounds stupid, but we try to make our output consistent with what she says, and we can't do that until after we know what she is saying. It provides direction to future endeavors.


I'm afraid I can't speak for everyone in the agency, but the people I work with are definitely bulldogs

It's good that GMA has come up with specific targets for her term. At the very least it shows that the top leaders have some sense of direction and vision for our country. Feasible or not, I personally feel that it should not discourage us from carrying out our duties as inhabitants of this land (as radonc emphasized).

But looking at the agenda, I can’t help but air my disappointment - that population control, or even hints of it, was not even mentioned at all. We can have 6 million jobs more added into our employment statistics but if our population swells more than it should, the country ends up with even more hands jostling for these new jobs. I personally feel that a good economic agenda for Philippines should always include addressing our population growth problem.

Hope GMA and her team will also focus their efforts on this area.

Nonetheless, I am keeping a healthy attitude and will diligently support her economic programs in ways that I can have impact.

You're right, it DOES sound stupid.

If I may read between the lines, NEDA is at the mercy of either the true economic or (perhaps more realistically) the POLITICAL agenda of the Malacanang occupant... Should be renamed then... I would assume that in a meritocracy (as GMA first promised in 2001), that free thinkers and qualified people are going to run ALL government agencies (dream on...), then shouldn't NEDA ACTIVELY pursue national development, regardless of when the higher ups release a salvo of motherhood statements? So if her statements are below par then so would your output? Geez... Now that is depressing.

Agreed. We need to slow down population growth in order to feed every single Filipino mouth. The population issue SHOULD be addressed.

It's good to still find people who are keeping a healthy attitude about the government. After all, there are still people in government who are serious about their jobs and about uplifting the lives of our countrymen, although the media sure makes it sound like our country is totally hopeless.

You said you were disappointed about the lack of even a hint about population control in the ten-point agenda. Perhaps the answer to that can be found in the creation of jobs. The weakest link in our population problem are the poor, right? Those who swarm to Metro Manila squatter areas in droves, those without jobs or who are not gainfully employed. Those whose wives have little else to do than look after their husbands' sexual needs and tsismis with their kumares. Those whose only time to feel fulfilled, perhaps, after a day spent in the numbing routine of doing the laundry for other people for a pittance, is in engaging in sexual intercourse with their husbands. Low self-esteem translates to more kids. They are the ones who multiply like rabbits. But give them an opportunity to earn an honest living and you give them likewise the opportunity for fulfillment. Give a homemaker an opportunity to make better use of her time and to improve herself and you give her the most effective contraceptive there is. A high self-esteem. Without any side effects other than a healthier outlook in life and a sense of fulfillment. I believe this is likewise a foremost consideration with GMA in her efforts to promote microfinance and the development of the SME sector, in her 1-million-jobs-a-year aim in the past three years and in her six million jobs aim in her fresh term.

I really don't know what to say to this. It sounds as if you think the NEDA sucks. I'm sorry if that is the case, but we can't work any harder than we already are.

It frustrates me, too, that I can't just tell the higher-ups what I think of them, but then that wouldn't accomplish anything. Instead, on our level, we are trying to fight for what we think is right for the country regardless of what the Powers That Be want for themselves. I assure you that work in the executive branch did not stop during the campaign season.

I don't blame the hard-working ones. I know a few people in government myself. I am sure you (and I suppose those you work with) are really working hard. It is just frustrating. I remember the NEDA of Winnie Monsod was a workhorse (but I know they were up against tremendous odds after Marcos).

I guess I can only say this: To those who work hard and honestly, keep it up and I am behind you (and I am sure majority of the nation is) . We will do our parts... Keep fighting the good fight.

To the corrupt selfish ones - to hell with you! The nation has no place for your kind.

I just like to emphasize that the Ten-point agenda of PGMA can only be attained if we all work together. The various sectors must do their part. Like the agenda on job creation obviously the private sector must greatly contribute to this. I don't think we have the time to rant whether what PGMA came up with is good or not. Yes it may seem not feasible to the point of being too ambitious, but I look at it as AIMING HIGH. Each sector must just have to do their part. The goverment has to create measures (i.e. legislation and national security) to trigger investments. As for the other sectors, they must invest and support it. In the end, we must think that it is still the whole country who will benefit.

Thanks for the clarification. I'm sorry if I got a bit hysterical back there.

And I agree, bluEdge, the key to achieving anything on a macro scale is working together. Unfortunately, it's not easy with people within and between sectors squabbling among themselves. I'm not talking about the free discussion that goes on in fora like this, but in the decision-making process there are a lot of instances wherein everyone just "agrees to disagree" and thus nothing gets done.

There are plenty of good people in government, they just hardly get noticed, and lest we forget, government is THE arena of dirty politics. Work in or with government for at least two years and you get a rpetty clear idea how galactically shitty government is. By your fifth year you already feel like the shit is sticking to you also, taking away your idealism, making you cynical. If you are ever demented enough to actually make a career of this, I sure hope you're in the AFP, DND or any of the national security agencies like NICA or NSC, otherwise you'll wind up in the pit of the beast's belly.

Look at it this way. Since 1995 the AFP has been trying to modernize through RA 9878, the AFP Modernization Act. Since then the Air Force alone has gone from 12 fully operational and combat ready F5 Freedom Fighters to ZERO now. What use is a goddam air force without fighters?

There are plenty of reasons:

1) The AFP is run by the ARMY (95% of the time an Army guy is Chief of Staff), and they want to be frontloaded all the time when it comes to modernization. What the f--- are these idiots gonna do I wonder when China invades us in 2012 without any real fighters on our side? they can't even move a goddam battalion. You should've seen the comedy of errors that was the mobilization of the 4th Infantry Division during the Mindanao Campaign of 2000, and these Army guys have the nerve to frontload their requirements.

2) Other government agencies aren't helping. DBM hasn't released a damn cent the last four or five years, even after the sale of large tracts of Fort Boni, Villamor and Clark land to private use. I've said often enough that the AFP can either threaten a coup or petition the Supreme Court to issue a writ of Mandamus on DBM to release their funds. I'm sure the NEDA guys will have a heck of a time explaining government logistics, comptrollership, contracting and procurement to us ordinary folks.

DFA - even when we're gonna get donations from other countries like Israel or Taiwan - says we shouldn't take the damn handouts because it'll make us look pathetic, plus it'll ruffle diplomatic feathers in the Middle East and Beijing. HELLO! Who's f---ing side are you on anyway muther-------!? If we took the squadron of F-5 F Tigers Taiwan was giving us three years ago, or the squadron of F-16 A Falcons Israel was willing to give us who would give us any shit now? All of a sudden we have instant respect from the international community. No more stray fishing, drug smuggling and gunrunning. And the Taiwanese and Israelis were willing to commit MAINTENANCE and TRAINING for up to 20 years! DFA said it would be diplomatically offensive. Go figure. I've long suspected a Chinese and Arab mole in there somewhere for the longest time. I hope I'm there when he gets caught.

3) Too many anniversaries, retirements, relinquishments, turnovers of command and other crap-assed ceremonies that take up MILLIONS every year. If the entire AFP would simply not have any such celebrations for at least one year, WE COULD BUY ONE OF OUR OWN ARLEIGH BURKE-CLASS DESTROYERS or a squadron of F-16C Fighting Falcons complete with good maintenance and training deals. But no, we'd rather have parades and shit.

And these are just a few of the facts of government life in only one agency of government, the AFP. You can just imagine what its like in places like DPWH, Dep Ed, Customs, BIR, DTI, etc.

10 Points eh? We'll see.

Points noted! You're right that population growth solution, even to a lesser extent, would be a rider into the 6 million new jobs. But what happens to the other millions of poor who would be non-recepient of these new jobs? They may very well contribute to an alarming population growth rate which could offset any economic gains we would have. I personally feel that if producing jobs is our panacea to poverty alleviation of individuals and our uncontrolled population boom, then the 6 million target would have to be raised numerically in hopes of covering the rest who are mired into life of subsistence and "low self-esteem". It's time that GMA and her team face our booming population head-on and embark on effective policies and fearless programs. Madami naman din honest and bright public officials who could formulate such policies.

Still, this 10-point agenda is a good step forward in helping the country achieve its economic potentials. It's just that the fast-growing population was not directly addressed, when it is palpably one of our major problem areas. I'm still confident that GMA would include it in her solutions portfolio in her term.

WARNING: PERSONAL OPINION

Re: population control -- if I had my way, I'd require vasectomies in depressed areas. May mga tao diyan na wala talagang magawa, eh And the service would be free, of course.

But I know it would interfere with a person's freedom of choice, so back to the drawing board.

Seriously, I think women, especially those in the poorer areas, should be taught that it is OK to say 'no' to their husbands on occasion. And it would be great to teach lessons to the men who think that 'no' means 'yes.'

Boy, it's fun to discuss women's issues when one is *hormonally imbalanced*!

No worries. Sorry as well for the perceived salvo.
Ditto on the need for working together. Just a little sidetrack from the thread, though - how the hell can we get the higher ups to do the same? It seems leadership by example is extinct or endangered in the upper echelons of govenment (and perhaps some private sector areas).

vasectomies, that would be effective if they (women) will cooperate. due to the numerous chores, looking after the kids, not to mention wives doing laundry for somebody else, they sometimes tend to be lazy on going to the clinic. this sounds stupid, but this situation happens. whether vasectomy will be offered for free, there will still be stubborn people. maybe if the government will demonstrate a strict policy on birth/population control like other countries did (imprisonment or a huge amount of fine for those who will not obey), that's the only time the majority of pinoys will comply with the policy.

from what i've read from philstar opinion, poor families coudn't even afford to buy condoms or pills. but even if they have the money, they would not use it buy these contraceptives. they would rather use it to buy food.

reality bites. it's sad, but many of us pinoys don't have the discipline. marami tayong dahilan. pero sabi nga nila pag gusto, may paraan.

my personal opinion with regards to solving population growth are as follows:
1.) if we keep them (wives and husbands) busy, they would think of having sex less.
---> how to do this?
a.) for wives/husbands: give them source of livelihood
---> are there livelihoods projects the gov't offers?
there are: SEA-K, KALAHI/CIDSS (offers loans without interest & trainings)
---> where to inquire and acquire?
DSWD
b.) sports-related activities for men and women (thru barangays)
c.) free trainings/lectures on handicrafts, home economics etc for women

2.) expanding on electrification of barangays
---> this is a continuous program of the gov't. if i recall correctly 112 additional barangays now has electricity. "pag walang kuryente, lalong dumarami ang disipulo ni mang juan"

3.) if worse comes to worse, ito na ang last option na naiisip ko: an implementation of a law which will strictly prohibits a family to limit it's number according to it's financial capability, but excludes "abortion"

Excuse me, happy_soul, ang vasectomy po ay para sa mga lalaki (Google it to find out what the operation entails), and as I said I doubt such a scheme would fly. I was just being silly back there.

And as for getting the higher-ups to cooperate with each other, radonc, I have always been a big fan of tying them to chairs and whacking them around the head with 2x4s Hee, just kidding. Sorry, I know that didn't sound like a nice idea to propose, but I have to admit that the thought made me smile

Not a bad idea. I just saw a sign here in Melbourne saying "put politicians on a nurse's wage." How about that?

Ah, yes, hit 'em right where it hurts -- the pocket. Very good idea, too!

5FootCarrot: Yep, unfortunately anything but natural family planning methods is still taboo to most of the predominantly Catholic populace. The government will have to do a massive information campaign regarding vasectomy. In my opinion it is infinitely preferable to tubal ligation since the latter is prone to complications. I've seen a news coverage of an information dissemination campaign and operations being done (I don't remember if it was by DOH) in rural areas wherein they were able to operate on many of the menfolk. It seems uneducated folks, particularly, have the notion that masisira ang kanilang macho image if they submit to said operation, and that they are likewise afraid of the actual operation. The remedy the team proposed is to explain to them that virility does not in the male genitalia reside, but in the muscles of the upper arms and to show them the simple actual procedure of the operation.

lotus bun: I stand corrected. Yes, the government does have to deal with the population problem directly. I suppose PGMA will elaborate on it in her SONA. The main obstacle consists the public's religious scruples, aided and abetted by the Catholic Church. The Church's stand on birth control is only a reflection of public morals - the remedy is not to be cowed by the reverends and to conduct a countrywide information campaign head on.

Well said, Joe. We have one of the few governments in the world that still thinks that issues can be resolved in our favor through diplomacy and international cooperation, while our rivals continue to out-fox us. While I am not writing off diplomacy as a method for engaging other countries, at the end of the day, when push comes to shove, the country with the most guns or money will end up getting what it wants in its own terms.

hahahaha... sorry ha. tangengots me. tinanong ko nga yung kapitbahay namin eh. tawa ako ng tawa.

tao lang po.

ano na nga ba ang latest development ng 10-point agenda?

EXCERPTS:

If implemented in full, the program is expected to generate P100 billion on the first year, barely enough to meet the incremental funding requirements of the government.

The economic team met with President Arroyo at Malacañang yesterday to decide once and for all whether to proceed with the economic program drafted by the Development Budget Coordinating Committee (DBCC).

Finance Secretary Juanita Amatong told reporters after the meeting that the president has given the "go signal" on the four-point agenda that prioritized the administration’s macro-economic and fiscal program, power sector reforms, banking and financial reforms and infrastructure and investments program.

==================================================

anyone here has any positive comment about this?

updates on the 10-point agenda

Two words in the excerpt: "If" and "barely". Enough said. Draw your own conclusions.

I think one of the more expedient solutions to get us out of our present rut (short and long term) is to cut pork barrel, allocate the funds to education (particularly science, math and technical skills education) and health care. By the way, health care also includes maternal health and family planning. In a generation's time we will have a healthy, intelligent and skilled population and then maybe we can get going. While we wallow in ignorance and disease, we will continue on our spiral descent into the abyss.

I also think we should also make a law that makes the phrase "Through the efforts of" in public infrastructure illegal. Those flyovers, ambulances and whathaveyous were procured using people's money care of the taxes we pay. There was no effort on the part of whatever politician blatantly advertises his rotten name (sometimes even his ugly mug) except to push the buttons and pay the right people (again using public funds - ginigisa tayo sa sarili nating mantika) to get those projects going. Napakakapal talaga ng mga mukha ng ibang tao sa gobyerno, ano?

I would also recommend improving internal tax administration. We need to reduce our reliance on border taxes (tariffs) to make imported products more available to consumers and user-industries, and at the same time go after the crooks. It's not fair for the honest working person to pay taxes through the nose to compensate for what tax evaders don't pay.

This will work if other countries abide by the open rules of free trade. Otherwise, we would end up frying ourselves in our own fat. Based on what has been observed from recent years since the WTO has been implemented, the very same countries who have been pushing for free trade are the first ones not to play by the rules. The US and EU countries continue to subsidize their agricultural sectors even as they push developing countries to open up their markets. And now that their assumptions about their large businesses having competitive economies of scale backfired when these companies began outsourcing jobs to India and the Philippines, they want to impose special taxes and penalties for outsourced services. China, which lobbied hard to get into the WTO, continues its "in-your-face" violation of free trade rules by artificially keeping the value of its currency depreciated.

Given the obvious reality that not everyone is abiding by the rules, should we turn the other cheek and remove border taxes? There is a double standard when it comes to free trade and some people would like to play only if they are winning.

As much as I would love to remove all border taxes I am well aware that ours is not an ideal situation, so as far as border taxes go, at present I'm willing to settle for a level that would still generate some revenue and accord a certain degree of protection for domestic industry, if necessary. The important thing about this tariff is that it's uniform across sectors; unfortunately, that is so not the case here.

OK, I realize I've digressed quite a bit from GMA's agenda so back to your regularly scheduled programming. Sorry, folks.

[quote=radonc,Jul 13 2004, 03:44 PM] [/QUOTE]
Two words in the excerpt: "If" and "barely". Enough said. Draw your own conclusions.

I think one of the more expedient solutions to get us out of our present rut (short and long term) is to cut pork barrel, allocate the funds to education (particularly science, math and technical skills education) and health care. By the way, health care also includes maternal health and family planning. In a generation's time we will have a healthy, intelligent and skilled population and then maybe we can get going. While we wallow in ignorance and disease, we will continue on our spiral descent into the abyss.

I also think we should also make a law that makes the phrase "Through the efforts of" in public infrastructure illegal. Those flyovers, ambulances and whathaveyous were procured using people's money care of the taxes we pay. There was no effort on the part of whatever politician blatantly advertises his rotten name (sometimes even his ugly mug) except to push the buttons and pay the right people (again using public funds - ginigisa tayo sa sarili nating mantika) to get those projects going. Napakakapal talaga ng mga mukha ng ibang tao sa gobyerno, ano? [/quote]
i don't know if this is true, but i recall reading an article (if not from the net, from a newspaper), the administration is indeed eyeing the pork barrel, which will be used for more important projects or to be used for the payment of our debts. will someone will me here? i'm not 100% sure but i do know that Congress informed the public that they have saved P50 million pesos.

with regards to math, science and technical skills education, that i am sure of. there is an instruction and a program for these three. besides math and science, english is also given attention. the time alloted for math and science was instructed to increase. while, english was suggested to be the "medium of instruction" in class. technical skills education is ofcourse being offered by TESDA. from the "isang iskolar sa bawat mahihirap na pamilya", the child (high school graduate) could either enter college (2 yr course) or study from TESDA-Accredited Schools (giving them P20,000) for their tuition and other expenses). there's also this so-called "distance learning", wherein the teachers were the ones to come to some remote areas. another thing, DOST has a website. from what i've read, a bus with computers inside are going to remote areas to teach the young ones lessons for elementary grades. but, you are right. it's not enough. additional funds should be allocated. though this may not be enough, it's a start.

with regards to your suggestion, i'm pretty sure the legislative branch would not allow it. gustuhin man ni gma yan, wala sya magagawa dahil sa separation of powers. paano nga naman, kung hindi makikita ng tao ang mga pangalan ang mukha nila, paano sila maaalala, paano malalaman na me ginawa sila?

Kasi po, karamihan sa botante e tanga dahil ginagawang tanga ng mga politiko. Ang alam ng karamihan ng botante e showbiz at pogi points. Kung tratuhing may alam ang botante, mahihiya silang bumoto na parang tanga. Ayan, vicious cycle. Tangang botante, tinatratong tanga, mas nagiging tanga... Hindi mo kailangan ng karatula para maalala ka. Hindi tuloy isyu ang ginagawang basihan ng pagluluklok sa puder ng kapangyarihan (dapat nga paninilbihan, e) kundi name recall. Ang tanga... bow...

Yep. I only hope that now that our good lawmakers have finally managed - apparently for the first time in Philippine history - to generate P5 million in savings during the first half of the year, they won't make up for it by overspending during the second half, and that this sets an example for other government agencies.

I did hear that GMA insisted the pork barrel be used for the implementation of her ten-point agenda or it will be cut, or something to that effect.

ganun? paano naman yung mga botanteng "walang pakialam" sa paligid nila? either because of principle (sawa na sa politika, punding pundi na kaya wala ng intensyong bumoto) or their situation hinders them (e.g. mga kawawang asawa na madalas sa bahay para pagsilibihan lang ang kanilang asawa at biyenan).
bumibyahe rin ang mga ito. habang nakasakay sila sa jeep, fx o karitela (hehehe), kahit paano itong mga karatulang 'to ay nakakatulong para malaman nila kung ano na ba ang gagawin o nagawa na sa bayan nila. yung parte naman na kung sino ang nagpasimuno nito..... information for them (constituents) and privilege ng mga public officials (madalas). joke lang, baka me magreact hehehe

in fairness din naman kasi, pag di alam ng mga tao kung may ginagawa ba ang public official, nagagalit sila di ba? (isama mo na ako sa bilang). information dissemination is also important. wag naman yung sobra.

meron din talagang sobrang preoccupied sa kung anu anong bagay, di na alam ang nangyayari sa paligid nya. di mahilig magbasa ng dyaryo, bihirang manood ng news. yung mga karatulang yan, kahit nakakainis man, nakakatulong din.

ang katangahan ay natural na nararanasan ng tao, pinoy man o hindi. kaya nga madalas sinasabi ng mga bigo sa pag ibig na naging tanga lang sila sa pagpili nila ng minamahal. ibig sabihin ito ay pagkakamali. ang magkamali ay natural lang sa tao. nobody's perfect.

but i do agree, billboards et.al. is not that important. what's worthy to be remembered is the sincerity of work. if a public official is truly sincere of improving the lives of his constituents, everything follows. quality results, no coruption, beneficial to all, etc. etc.