Editorial

Start from home

Over the weekend, President Arroyo reminded the world? or at least political or business leaders present at a session of the World Economic Forum?not to ?neglect those who feel the hardship of the global downturn the most, and that is the poor.?

She said emerging and underdeveloped countries should be included in discussions on restructuring the global economy after fixing the crisis that has gripped the world, albeit in varying degrees of severity. ?We need a radical rethinking in the world.?

Soon Mrs. Arroyo was crowing about how the Philippines has somehow managed to avoid the worst effects of the crisis, attributing the resiliency to the ?bitter medicine [we took] years ago when we implemented painful fiscal and financial reforms. So when it struck we had revenues to be able to invest in people as well in infrastructure for the fiscal stimulus.? She proceeded to cite the better-than-expected gross domestic product growth figures for 2007 and 2008.

We understand the President?s need to paint a rosier picture of the country?s situation before the rest of the world. Numbers do not lie, and we have considerably done better than even our neighbors, similarly situated. But numbers could mislead, too.

Two questions arise from Mrs. Arroyo?s statements: Could this relative success be sustained? And to what extent are her administration?s efforts trained to address the Filipino poor?s needs and contributions to national productivity?

Now there is talk of a stimulus package for infrastructure projects over the next three years. These projects would generate jobs and increase personal consumption. They will make doing business easier. It sounds like a good plan if only our officials guarantee prudent disbursement and accountability for decisions made. Is the government prepared to administer the funds in complete transparency?

On the other hand, empowering the poor means more than handing out doles that would be spent before the day is over. We are sure the President knows this. What we don?t know is whether she appreciates it enough to let it govern her decisions.

Radical rethinking, indeed. We?d be happy to see some of that here.