Maybe President Bongbong Marcos is experiencing some nights he can't sleep because he is pondering how to solve various problems besetting our country. As I normally say, we aren't yet in deep s--hit and we can still hope despite the corruption in government which is already endemic, according to Ombudsman Samuel Martires. Dami kasing magnanakaw sa gobyerno, karamihan matataas na opisyales pa.
The precarious financial balance maybe giving BBM a scare and more sleepless nights aside from the ever increasing prices of basic products, specifically rice. The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) contracted. This was was aggravated by the enormous corruption committed by the thieves during Duterte’s administration. The overpriced PPE, the billions lost in the PhilHealth money, ayudas controversy, etc. I remember even when then Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez said he will push through with the plan to privatize functions of Philipine Amusement Gaming Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Seemingly a desperate move to raise money and hopefully not to be plundered later.
This one is for real estate developers. Last week, newly minted Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President Joshua Bingcang met Pampanga media persons and announced that five percent of the economic zones will soon be free from leasehold. Once this happen, more than a thousand hectares can be sold and developed into residential villages. More billions can be generated.
Once I wrote in the space why the giant property developer Ayala Inc. elected to to locate in Porac town instead of developing a vast track, say in Clark’s subzone or at the New City. The difference is the fact that the Porac property was purchased which they can call their own, while Clark Development Corporation and Bases Conversion Development Authority can only enter into long term leases. The law prohibits sale. It will take a congressional approval before the vast lands of the former US military installation can be sold to private ownership. Sale and lease can be the mode. Now think about this and make a mathematical calculation if and when government can privatize the whole of former Clark Air Force Base and all former US military installations converted into economic zones. On the fenced area alone of Clark for sure trillions will be realized. In the meanwhile, the five percent area is a good start.
RETRO: Leaders today learned to have a vision prepared for the future of their communities, compared to past few generations of officials our country had. Sorry to say but many or maybe all weren’t forward looking. Look at our towns and cities today. They are no longer live-able because there was lack of vision among the leaders of yesteryears. There are no railways working anymore, here in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Bangladesh considered one of the poorest countries looks better. Vietnam which was at war in the late sixties has overtaken us.
The ride from Tutuban main station in Manila up to Damortis in La Union and making stops in Malolos and Angeles are only memories now. Even the now MacArthur highway became so narrow and government only started the expansion during President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's watch. Too bad the late President Noynoy Aquino discontinued it. I keep repeating this. How many presidents of our country came from the central and northern Luzon, say Elpidio Quirino, Ferdinand Marcos, Ramon Magsaysay, the two Macapagals and the two Aquinos. How many speakers of the House of Representatives came from central and northern Luzon? What happened to their advisers? There was never a national strategy drawn and if ever there was, it was not implemented.