Hunting goodwill

GOODWILL does not come without a price.

In its desire to assist struggling economies in Europe, the country pledged $1 billion IMF contribution as part of its responsibility to help other nations in financial distress. For the past years, the country has been a recipient of financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund and had born the brunt of paying off its debts. It’s a turn around this time, as the country acts as a creditor nation.

The loan contribution is meant to stabilize the crisis in Europe. Not that the government has already responded to the perennial lack of classrooms, teaching materials and the lack of resources to hire additional teachers to cater to a growing number of students in public schools. It has also yet to improve its health care system, provide adequate medicines and personnel to ensure public health.

In many areas, thousands continue to suffer from lack of potable water system and road network, as well as facilities for basic services to continue. Infrastructure in agriculture also needs a boost but resources are to nil for it.

But there are global commitments to meet. The Philippine government would want to extend goodwill and hope to gain interest from it. Malacanang explained that the resources will be made available for crisis prevention and resolution and to meet the potential financing needs of all IMF members.

Why the country and its needs have to take a backseat as government officials prioritize goodwill and relations with IMF need not be asked. Whether or not resources to be pooled as IMF contribution could impact on the ability to respond to domestic challenges is also beyond the question.

Pray tell, what difference would the IMF contribution make? It is not as if government officials had always went out of their way to make a difference in the lives of the people.

It works both ways. For government officials who can dare look away from the realities and present themselves in an image palatable to donor nations and with a public who has grown weary of high profile grandstanding and would rather do what they can under the most difficult circumstance.

Goodwill comes with a price. It is shape by the priorities and agenda of those who were trusted by the country to govern. The $1B pledge to the IMF may translate to more investment, improve capital gains and interests from repayments could spur growth in our local economy. But haven’t we heard the same lines over and over again? We never learn. Email comments to roledan@gmail.com