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LOCALIZING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS As I recall, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations were initially crafted for member countries to strive towards a global blueprint for peace, prosperity, and sustainability by the year 2030. But here's a thought: what if we localized these goals? What if provinces, cities, and even barangays adopted these targets as their own? After all, development doesn’t only happen at the national level—it also happens in local communities. The SDGs cover 17 broad objectives, from ending poverty to protecting biodiversity. If we wait for national agencies alone to achieve them, we may find ourselves, once again, falling short. Remember the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)? Those were the eight targets set by the UN to be achieved by 2015. Unfortunately, the Philippines, despite being one of the founding members of the UN, failed to meet most of them. That’s not just a missed opportunity—it’s a national embarrassment...

COORDINATION OF INNOVATION Innovation and invention are words often tossed around interchangeably, yet they are far from being one and the same. This confusion mirrors another common mistake: thinking that an entrepreneur and a businessman are also identical creatures of commerce. These terms represent distinct roles that, while sometimes overlapping, are fundamentally different. True, all innovators could be inventors, but not all inventors are innovators. In the same way, all entrepreneurs could be businessmen, but not all businessmen are entrepreneurs. An innovator refines or reimagines an existing idea, while an inventor creates something entirely new. Consider the smartphone: it wasn’t an invention, but an innovation building upon the earlier mobile phone. Similarly, entrepreneurs take the bold steps to build something new—often paired with innovation—while businessmen manage enterprises, sometimes without a shred of innovation, simply following well-trodden paths to profitabi...

EXPORTING PHILIPPINE PRODUCTS WITH LOWER PRICES AND LOWER TARIFFS TO THE UNITED STATES While many countries around the world are facing the brunt of America’s protectionist policies, with some suffering tariffs exceeding 25% on their exports to the United States, the Philippines — surprisingly — seems to have gotten off a little easier. We will be hit with a 17% tariff on certain exports, after the temporary rate of 10%. It’s not a gift, but relatively speaking, we could call ourselves “lucky.” No, I’m not saying we should be celebrating the imposition of tariffs. A 17% charge is still a burden, especially considering that some of our products used to enter the U.S. market duty-free or with minimal duties. But when compared to how hard other countries — especially China — have been hit, we must admit: the situation could have been worse. So rather than crying foul as mere bystanders caught in a global trade war, it’s time we stand up and ask ourselves what we can do to make the bes...

LET US GIVE CHEAPER MEDICINES A CHANCE In theory, price controls have no place in a free market economy. The idea is simple: let supply and demand determine market prices, and let healthy competition do the rest. In such an ideal world, the government would play referee, not participant. Suggested Retail Prices (SRPs), for instance, should logically be set by manufacturers or distributors—not by government agencies. And yet, as with many things, theory doesn’t always line up with reality. In the Philippines, the concept of the Maximum Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) appears to be something of a local innovation. It’s not widely seen—or even recognized—in other countries. While the term “suggested” implies a degree of flexibility, the inclusion of “maximum” adds a controlling tone that veers uncomfortably close to a mandated ceiling. This duality conflicts with the principles of a free market economy, where private businesses ideally have the autonomy to price their products based ...

  PLANNING FOR SECURE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS In the United States, there exists a dedicated federal agency that is solely responsible for building, managing, and maintaining government facilities: the General Services Administration (GSA). Within the GSA, the Public Buildings Service (PBS) takes charge of acquiring, constructing, leasing, and maintaining a vast portfolio of federal properties. Their mission is not only to meet the evolving needs of government agencies but also to ensure sustainability, cost-efficiency, and even the preservation of historic buildings. Here in the Philippines, we have no such equivalent. There is no single agency that handles the development and management of government buildings in a centralized and strategic manner. Instead, each government agency is left to fend for itself—either building its own facilities or perpetually leasing private ones. This fragmented setup has led to a curious and costly phenomenon: many national government agencies (...

STANDARDS FOR BUILDINGS OF THE FUTURE Nearly half a century ago, the Philippines laid down the foundation for its construction industry through the National Building Code of the Philippines , officially known as Presidential Decree No. 1096. Signed into law in February 1977, the Code was groundbreaking for its time, offering standardized guidelines to ensure the safety and welfare of people inside buildings. Yet, 47 years later, it remains virtually untouched—except for an update to its Implementing Rules and Regulations in 2004. That’s right: while the world has charged ahead with green buildings, smart technologies, and climate-conscious design, our code has stood still. The question is: will the Philippines ever catch up? In a world where skyscrapers now harvest solar energy and office buildings use artificial intelligence to optimize everything from lighting to air quality, the Philippine building code still doesn’t mention what most modern developers now see as essential: su...

SEEKING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE Are environmental justice and social justice two birds of the same feather, or are they two paths of justice where, as the old saying goes, “never the twain shall meet”? At first glance, they may seem distinct. One wears green; the other, red. In the streets, environmental activists march under leafy banners, demanding cleaner air, water, and protection for our planet. Social activists chant for equality, fair wages, access to education, and human rights. But do these two movements ever truly blend? It appears they do—perhaps quietly, even unknowingly. Environmental injustice, after all, is easier to define than its opposite. It’s the lack of access to clean water, sanitation, drainage and sewerage, among others. It is being forced to live in toxic neighborhoods where only the poor seem to live, in unsafe lands, and in displaced communities. You know the opposite: fairness, safety, and dignity for all, regardless of ZIP code or social status. Soc...

LET US BUILD MORE BIO-HOMES What idea could build more affordable housing, create a market for recycled materials, and enable sustainable living? The answer lies in the rise of Bio-Homes—an innovative solution that merges affordability, sustainability, and smart design. About forty years ago, the buzzword in development circles was "appropriate technologies." Today, that has evolved into the more powerful and comprehensive term "sustainable technologies." While the older term focused on local adaptation, the newer one is part of the broader vision of "sustainable development." Personally, I favor the new term. After all, what’s the use of being "appropriate" if it’s not "sustainable"? A technology that works today but fails tomorrow does little for our future. To start small, I'd already be pleased if we could incorporate recycled materials into housing—even just in part. But I would be even more thrilled if we could go furthe...

DOUBLE RALLY AND DOUBLE WHAMMY U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies—particularly his imposition of tariffs on a wide range of imports—have long stirred global debate. For some, they are a strategic lever for protecting domestic industries. For others, they are a disruptive force in the fragile ecosystem of international trade. But one thing is clear: these tariffs are a double-edged sword , especially for countries like the Philippines. For us, these policies could go either way. It could be bad if our exports become less competitive due to higher duties, but it could also be good —if we are able to take advantage of gaps left by other countries hit harder by U.S. tariffs. In other words, we need to look at both sides of the same coin . Take coffee, for example. Imagine a scenario where another coffee-exporting country faces higher U.S. tariffs and at the same time suffers from climate change impacts —droughts, erratic rainfall, and declining yields. That’s a double wha...

ROAD RAGE AND GUN LAWS There’s something about being behind the wheel that seems to unlock the worst in some people. Add a weapon into the mix, and you’ve got a dangerous cocktail of stress, entitlement, and rage. The intersection of road rage and gun laws is not just a matter of policy—it’s a matter of life and death. Studies consistently show that humans are more prone to aggression when they are in possession of a firearm than when they are unarmed. It's not hard to see why. Firearms, even when holstered, instill a sense of power. At the very least, they give their carriers an added layer of confidence—perhaps even false courage. And when that confidence meets a moment of anger, the result can be tragic. But let’s be clear: it doesn’t have to be a gun. Road rage can turn lethal with something as mundane as a baseball bat, a golf club, or a hammer. These items can easily be kept in a car under the convenient excuse of being a sportsman or a handyman. “I just came from pract...