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DO WE HAVE A LONG-TERM PHILIPPINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN? Do we have a long-term Philippine development plan? The short answer is yes — but with some caveats. It goes by the name Ambisyon Natin 2040 , a vision statement introduced in 2016 by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). However, calling it a "plan" might be a stretch, as it’s more of a wish list or aspirational statement rather than a concrete roadmap with clear programs and policies. Ambisyon Natin 2040 imagines a Philippines where every Filipino enjoys a “ matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay ” (a stable, comfortable, and secure life) by the year 2040. It spans four presidential terms — from 2016 to 2040 — but the document itself offers no clear guarantees on how successive administrations will commit to that vision. In essence, it’s a dream, not a detailed action plan. But, for all its limitations, having Ambisyon Natin 2040 is still better than having nothing at all . At the very least, it ...

HOW SHOULD WE MEASURE THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE? Unemployment is one of the most closely watched indicators of a nation’s economic health. In the Philippines, how exactly do we measure unemployment — and are we doing it the right way? Every country has its own method for measuring unemployment, and here in the Philippines, we follow global practices to a certain extent. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) conducts the Labor Force Survey (LFS) , like what other countries do. However, unlike a full census where every household is counted, the LFS relies on a sample of the population. This raises the question: Are we getting an accurate picture of unemployment when we depend on surveys rather than a complete census? In most cases, an unemployed person is described as someone who is (1) jobless, (2) actively looking for work, and (3) available to start working immediately. This definition is quite standard worldwide. Following this logic, those who are not actively looking for wor...

SOME IDEAS ABOUT POVERTY REDUCTION For years, the government has relied on the Poverty Threshold Basket (PTB) method to measure poverty in the Philippines. This so-called "imaginary basket of goods" is a list of basic food and non-food items that a typical Filipino family would need to survive. However, it’s becoming increasingly clear that many items in this basket are outdated and no longer reflect the reality of how Filipinos live today. Take landline telephone costs , for example. How many households still use landlines? Most Filipinos rely on mobile phones, yet cellphone load and internet access are not part of the imaginary basket . Instead, the basket still includes postage costs — a relic from a time when letters were the primary form of communication. These days, people communicate through email, Viber, Facebook Messenger, and other online platforms . If the government wants to truly understand poverty, it should revise the basket to reflect modern necessitie...

COMPRESSED NATURAL FIBER TECHNOLOGY For years, I have been searching for innovative technologies that could transform the waste from our mangrove forests—twigs, leaves, branches—into useful, sustainable products. The goal was simple: to create new livelihood opportunities for coastal communities while making mangrove conservation more economically viable. At last, I believe I have found the answer: Compressed Natural Fiber Technology . This eco-friendly process transforms plant waste into durable fiber boards for building materials. It’s the perfect blend of sustainability and innovation, turning what was once discarded as waste materials. Which Government Agency Holds the Key? In the Philippines, the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) leads the charge in this field. Located at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) campus in Laguna , FPRDI operates under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) . The institute’s mission includes devel...

LET US HAVE MORE BUS-TRAINS OR BUSWAYS In theory, if all bus drivers and passengers were disciplined, there would be no need for guided busways such as the EDSA Carousel. However, reality dictates otherwise. The EDSA Carousel, a guided busway, ensures that buses stay within their designated lanes from start to finish, reducing congestion and improving travel time. Guided busways exist in many countries, some using cement or wooden rails instead of the metal screens currently in place in the EDSA Carousel. Without such structured systems, chaos can ensue, as seen in places like Guadalupe, Makati, where an undisciplined mix of buses and passengers leads to unnecessary congestion and delays. Until bus drivers and passengers consistently follow traffic rules, guided busways remain essential. So why do some people want to remove them? Is it because these busways take up road space that private vehicle owners believe belongs to them? Or is it a matter of entitlement—resentment over not...

USING NON-LETHAL WEAPONS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT: A MORAL CHOICE? If non-lethal weapons are already available for law enforcement, what justifies the continued use of lethal force? This question is at the heart of an ongoing debate about policing methods, public safety, and human rights. Given the advancements in non-lethal technology, it is worth exploring why law enforcement agencies still resort to deadly force in certain situations. The primary reasons for using lethal weapons in police operations are to neutralize threats and protect the lives of officers and civilians. However, both objectives can often be achieved through non-lethal means. Various non-lethal weapons, such as Tasers, pepper spray, rubber bullets, and bean bag rounds, can effectively subdue suspects without causing fatal injuries. So, if laws, regulations, and protocols exist for using non-lethal weapons in law enforcement, why are they not used more extensively? One key advantage of non-lethal weapons is that t...

GENETICALLY MODIFIED TILAPIA, ANYONE? I have mixed feelings about genetically modified (GMO) foods. While I am generally wary of them, I can also see the potential benefits they offer, particularly in providing affordable food for the poor. This is especially relevant in the case of grains and fish, where food security is a growing concern. One example is tilapia, a fish species that holds significant promise for both food security and livelihood opportunities for fish farmers. Due to climate change, it has become increasingly dangerous for small artisanal fishermen to venture out into the ocean in search of fish. Additionally, global warming has affected fish breeding patterns, leading to declining fish stocks. These challenges make it more practical for fishermen to transition into fish farming, and GMO tilapia presents an option that could be both profitable and sustainable. GMO tilapia can be cultivated in fish cages in lakes, rivers, and coves, or grown in controlled environ...

LAWS REQUIRING MANDATORY BIODEGRADEABLE SHOPPING BAGS Gone are the days when shoppers were asked whether they preferred plastic or paper shopping bags at grocery stores. Today, many local government units (LGUs) have already mandated the exclusive use of paper shopping bags, banning plastic ones through local ordinances. This move aims to reduce plastic waste, promote sustainability, and encourage businesses to adopt environmentally friendly practices. While the use of mandatory paper bags is a well-intended environmental initiative, many shoppers have voiced concerns about their durability. Paper bags often fail to hold wet or frozen goods, and they can easily break when carrying heavier items like canned goods. These inconveniences have led to some dissatisfaction among consumers, who feel that the shift to paper bags comes at the cost of practicality. One possible solution to this issue is for shoppers to bring their own reusable shopping bags made from stronger, eco-friendly ...

IMPROVING THE COMMUNITY SERVICE SYSTEM Overcrowding in our jails and prisons is an undeniable crisis. The sheer number of inmates packed into confined spaces has reached levels that violate basic human rights. No matter how we investigate the issue, the reality remains: our penitentiary system is overwhelmed beyond imagination. Authorities at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) have long sought solutions, and while efforts are being made, there are two existing options that already have a legal foundation—parole and community service. For this column, we will focus on the community service option and its potential benefits. Community service as a sentencing alternative serves a preventive function. It keeps minor offenders out of jails and prisons, reducing congestion. While it is uncertain exactly how many individuals could be diverted from incarceration through community service, the numbers should be significant enough to allev...

INNOVATIONS FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION Education is a fundamental right, yet thousands of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Philippines still face significant barriers to accessing quality education. According to the Department of Education (DepEd), about 232,975 PWD students are currently enrolled in regular schools. However, there is no available data on the number of PWDs who should be studying at the elementary or high school levels, whether in regular schools or specialized institutions. This gap in information raises concerns about the accessibility and inclusivity of the country’s education system. One of the major challenges faced by PWD students is physical inaccessibility. Many are unable to commute to school due to mobility issues, lack of transportation, or inadequate school facilities. Others may feel shy or fearful of bullying, which discourages them from attending school. While laws mandate that children of school age must be enrolled in school, are there exceptions...

  WHAT IS A GREEN CITY? A Green City, also known as a Sustainable City or Eco-City, is an urban area designed to minimize its environmental impact while improving the quality of life for its residents. But what does it truly mean to be a green city? And how many cities in the Philippines can genuinely claim this title? The Case of the Philippines Has any city in the Philippines been officially recognized as a Green City? Some have made claims, while others have received awards for cleanliness. I remember a few years ago, Las Piñas was declared a clean city. However, upon closer inspection, its rivers and creeks remain polluted. Shouldn’t there be a connection between being green and being clean? How can a city be declared green if it is not even clean? A few years back, I visited a new development in Laguna that was marketed as a “green city.” Yet, I observed garbage trucks frequently coming and going, suggesting that waste segregation programs (WSPs) and Materials Recovery...