CANDID SHOTS – With the accelerating growth of Davao City, squatter colonies and crowded neighborhoods, in particular, have found themselves co-existing with adjacent factories and cottage industries. Pollution and health experts note that many establishments throughout the city hide their activities behind high walls and spew a wide range of toxic wastes through secret passages into nearby rivers and waterways or indiscriminately throw them into open dumpsites.The consequences of the reckless disposal of toxic substances can be disastrous, especially in areas where population density tends to be high – exposing large numbers to the risks of poisoning. The law governing toxic waste (R.A. 6969) is generally considered more progressive than other environmental laws. Unfortunately, enforcement is lackluster. Sad to lament, authorities focuse their sight on the opposite direction – for obvious reasons.
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LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVES – Some confident government economists may say it’s not yet about time to press the panic button because the country’s economic storm is starting to clear. No less than newly-appointed National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan mentioned that the Philippines’ general economic mood has slowly but gradually improved and the prevailing trade issues may have only “modest effects” on the economy.
For now, the economy is clearly gaining ground despite the previous export issues that surfaced amid the diplomatic standoff between the country and China which asserts it has exclusive right over the controversial Panatag Island or Scarborough Shoal. The tension prompted emphatic Chinese authorities to issue a travel advisory to its citizens against traveling to the country, which resulted to the suspension of numerous tour packages.
The country’s brighter economic outlook is partly due to the fact that, after the import ban imposed by China on Philippine-produced Cavendish bananas due to strict phyto-quarantine requirements and other stringent barriers, and circumstances not outright painful to the country’s trade activities were bound to seem like a collective sigh of relief. Encouraging signs that the economy is perking up are feeding expectations that the country may soon see resurgence in growth led by stronger export undertakings as government efforts to diversify the markets had been undertaken posthaste.
In any case, the country’s banana growers and exporters are looking for alternatives after losing at least P1.44 billion since China strictly implemented tighter quality restrictions about three months ago. The alternative if possible is to divert banana exports to other Asian and Middle East countries. The NEDA people are highly optimistic that there are many potential markets waiting to be tapped and other opportunities aside from China, which is not the only market to watch.
Within this financial climate, NEDA executives and other concerned government line agencies say the recent trading setback would be considered a “shock” therefore there is an urgent need for the business sector whether agriculture, tourism or industry to diversify the market to make them less vulnerable to economic shocks. Even China’s travel advisory and suspension of tour packages are not likely to cripple the country’s tourism industry. Based on statistics, it is not only China which has made the Philippines famous and popular as the place where tourists and frequent visitors always make things better – an ultimate destination for doing both business and leisure.
Barring disasters such as major calamities – typhoons and floods, the country expects a higher growth rate in the months ahead or until next year, which will help spur demand for export of intermediate and capital goods. Forget China for now because there are more potential markets waiting to be explored. But until we diversify the marketplace, the same problems are going to linger right under our noses.
The NEDA people also cited the shocks such as the triple tragedy that happened to Japan last year and the massive floods that severely hit Thailand. The “economic shocks” fit into the pattern of effects on our economy, which are almost similar to what occurred in Japan and Thailand. Government economic experts and financial analysts say the only way a country can defend itself from that kind of shock is really to diversify the market. And they say it like they mean it. Really, gentlemen?
