Wallace Report Critique

It is sad to learn that the Pearl of the Orient has been losing its luster over the recent years. The Wallace Report (Where to the Philippines) focuses on ten key factors that gave drastic effects on the countryÐ'ÐŽÐ'¦s status, particularly on its economy, society, culture, technology, politics and natural resources.

As written in the Report, politics play a significant role in maintaining the countryÐ'ÐŽÐ'¦s stability, at least in the Philippines. It has always been my impression that Philippine politicians have personal motives for taking these positions. Although there are many politicians who do very well to serve the people, most of them use this power and authority to compensate for their personal needs and luxury. Think about it. The government (or, at least, the local government) does have impressive project proposals during a given term. However, when these projects do get approved, it takes too long for it to get started and finished; let alone left undone. Why? One possibility is budget redirection. Where could this budget possibly go then? Rehabilitation of schools? Medical outreach? The mayorÐ'ÐŽÐ'¦s Jaguar? The congressmanÐ'ÐŽÐ'¦s international bank account? Most possibly the latter two. Yes, corruption is too rampant in the Philippines. The Philippines is politically unstable. If we do not choose our leaders wisely, if we base our votes purely on trust and popularity (and not considering the candidatesÐ'ÐŽÐ'¦ competence and experiences in the public service), then our countryÐ'ÐŽÐ'¦s move towards industrialization will always remain at a snailÐ'ÐŽÐ'¦s pace.

In relation to the land area and job opportunities, the population growth is too prominent to accommodate everyone. The higher the population, the higher the demands will be so that each individualÐ'ÐŽÐ'¦s necessities will be met. I agree that the countryÐ'ÐŽÐ'¦s population growth has to be controlled, or even lessened, through methods approved by both State and Church, at least until the country has went past the developing stage. Education, too, is important. Statistics show that most Filipinos with a college degree are either underemployed or unemployed. What more if an individual has limited education? It all goes down to this: OVERPOPULATION + LIMITED JOBS + LIMITED EDUCATION Ð'„Ð'» POVERTY.

Government officials are not to be blamed alone why the Philippines is generally poor. We know very the well that jobs are currently scarce, thus the need to control population. The government do offer affordable education, if not free, but (1) Filipinos hardly maximize it, and (2) the teacher-student ratio is inadequate to ensure focus, as well as the availability of resources