Rev Up “Promdi” Economy

by | May 13, 2020

As we are getting seriously nervous of where will this pandemic bring us with everything seems to be falling apart, we can’t but wonder how to narrow the gap of imbalance between the effort to flatten the curve of the virus and our act to save our economy.

For all we know, the two are inseparable as the failure of the former would surely infect the latter. And what is more agonising is what if it will persist at a longer time than we expected.

Although I’m neither a health expert nor an economist, may I have a simple and humble proposal. You can add or suggest to make it more viable and sustainable. After all, it’s a collective endeavour as a nation– our beloved Philippines– healing and recovering as one.

WHY DON’T WE OPEN OUR PROVINCES LEAST AFFECTED BUT LARGELY MANAGEABLE AREAS, FOR ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES ON A SHORT TERM, MIDTERM AND LONG TERM PHASES.

Before executing it, however, well-studied precautionary measures shall be put in place like mass and rapid testing, monitoring and strict implementation of checkpoints for those who would participate in this program.

Here are the three phases of economic activity with seven-point agenda, as follows:

A. SHORT TERM (3-6 months)

  1. Identify and tap existing rice, crop and vegetables farmers and fruit growers.
  2. Identify and tap fishermen and identify fish ponds and other aquatic resources.
  3. Tap livestock farmers and raisers for meat, milk and eggs production.
  4. Extend financial and credit line for the the above agricultural sectors
  5. Identify and organize suppliers, merchants, forwarding and delivery companies to institutionalize logistics and supply chains.
  6. Ask participation of the private sector particularly the banking, lending and other financial institutions to extend financial and other related support.
  7. Provide safe and systematic free access and flow of these goods and products from farms to merchants, suppliers and markets.

This term is urgent no to prolong the suffering. It also marks a waiting period until the vaccine can be formulated and valid for treatment.

B. MIDTERM (6 mos-3 years)

  1. Initiate an agri-aqro sustainable programs by encouraging Promdis to go into farming, fishing and livestock raising.
  2. Provide stimulus package to boost productivity of agricultural, livestock and marine resources.
  3. Encourage enterprises or entrepreneurs to go into food processing derived from raw agricultural products and aquatic resources. Stimulate them with available credit line.
  4. Enhance and build facilities for modern farming, fishing and livestock raising.
  5. Develop available market for these goods and products and improve existing logistic and supply chains.
  6. Strengthen and enhance the capabilities of our educational system in agri-agro sectors.
  7. Once supply will reach to a surplus level, export our products and processed goods to other countries in order to improve our balance of trade and dollar reserves.

C.LONGTERM (3 years onward)

  1. Revolutionize the agricultural and aquatic sectors through modern technology and innovative solutions.
  2. Build Industrial and ICT zones in selected provinces for locators.
  3. Roll out massive but strategic industries like Energy, Telecommunications or ICT and Transportation.
  4. Optimize the mineral resources by putting up processing plants and maximize the utilization of oil reserves to drive local industries.
  5. Attract local and foreign investors to relocate their companies to some selected provinces an the new industrial or economic zones. Japan, US and other highly industrialized countries may relocate their companies they would withdraw from China.
  6. Build agri-agro and fisheries schools equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to be managed by professionals and experts.
  7. Put up research and development facilities in the provinces for health, medical and other innovation solutions as a proactive pandemic preparedness measure.

Mind you, after it will be over, on a long term, we can expect exodus of people going home to their respective provinces to tap the opportunities that the PROMDI ECONOMY has to offer like employment and business ventures. In this way, we can decongest the urban centers like Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and greater area of Davao, etc., lessen carbon footprints and eventually improve the quality of lives in the metropolis.

After all, long before COVID-19, it was our collective aspiration to stir migration of people from the cities by developing the countryside and drive sustainable economic growth for the whole Philippines– for the Filipinos.

In the future, we will be prepared to deal with any crisis, pandemic or otherwise, and hopefully enjoy a new normal life under this new economic model.

Amidst uncertainties come opportunities!

Thank you and stay safe and healthy!!

(Note: On April 18, I posted this article on my FB account. On April 23, Senator Bong Go pushes the “Balik-Probinsya” program. On May 6, President Duterte signed an Executive Order approving Balik-Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program)

Reference links:

  1. https://www.facebook.com/macgordon7/posts/10224005605712998
  2. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1270918/duterte-institutionalizes-balik-probinsya-bagong-pag-asa-program?fbclid=IwAR1B55mPKaM2PgGuoSv7GTXE5fsSCZAdNL1GYEVorerbWUNMu7IrgEW0jiw
  3. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/735246/senator-pushes-balik-probinsya-program-to-decongest-metro-manila/story/?utm_source=GMANews&utm_medium=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2cSINEfiExwXpEIwN-rLrioBhKtK1NmwdDFCLzfmNVHOB1EAdRmjmMFH4

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