PH now ranks 59th in competitiveness index

BY RAPPLER.COM

POSTED ON 09/04/2013 8:51 PM  | UPDATED 09/05/2013 11:53 PM

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines jumps a total of 26 places since 2010 in the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Index. What does this mean?

Cherrie Regalado reports.

ROBERTO DE OCAMPO

VICE-CHAIR, MAKATI BUSINESS CLUB

he Philippines is getting more in the radar screen of the entire global community in terms of becoming a better investment destination.

Thanks to the anti-corruption drive of the Aquino government the world still thinks the Philippines is the one of the places to be. 

The World Economic Forum highlights this in its 2013 Global Competitiveness Index.

The Philippines rises six notches to rank 59th out of 148 countries.

It’s been a steady climb since 2010. 

The Philippines jumps a total of 26 places as the fight against corruption becomes the government's battle cry.

This is reflected in institutions, one of the measures of a country's competitiveness and where the Philippines makes its biggest leap. 

Corruption has been one of the biggest drags on competitiveness. 

There are a lot of gains, but sustaining a corrupt free Philippines remains a concern. 

Hogging the headlines lately is Janet Napoles, the alleged queen of the pork barrel scam which involves questionable releases of the development fund.

GUILLERMO LUZ

CHAIR, NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS COUNCIL

It can be a temporary set back, depends on how we fix it. If we come out of it with solid reforms and fixes and then we can bounce back from it.

But corruption is no longer the biggest hindrance to competitiveness.

According to the report, that has been replaced by poor infrastructure.

The survey notes a slight improvement in the country's infrastructure, but other countries are doing better and may leave the Philippines behind.

GUILLERMO LUZ

NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS COUNCIL CHAIR

With the country growing the way it is we have to remember with the economy as it is 7.5 percent year-on-year, there's a lot of strain in infrastructure. We need more of it. When you're in non competitive position, you can’t attract investments and create the jobs you need to create. There’s no way to inclusive growth and beat poverty if we are uncompetitive.

The Philippines wants to step up its game and intends to be among the top 1/3 of all competitiveness indices by 2016.

Experts say it is more crucial to look beyond the numbers. 

These ratings and rankings should translate to something more tangible this means jobs, education and improved quality of life. 

Cherrie Regalado, Rappler, Manila - Rappler.com

Personal Thoughts:

The Philippines jumps 26 places for just 3 years in global competitiveness from 2010-2013. This shows that the start of P-Noy's term pulled up the Philippine economic status. This report means a good news to everyone... just a good one to hear! How about in the status quo? Have the people really feel this drastic change in the economy of the country? Does everyone feels that we have enhanced our competitiveness in the modern world? Most of all, can a Filipino call this improvement if many are still suffering from hunger and poverty? Come on... Let's be vigilant towards the truth behind this fact.

The country may rise from 65th to 59th place in global competitiveness but we are still in the reality that many people are poor and don't have jobs. If this is happening, I think that only the investors, capitalists and businessmen are improving since they are the ones who gain large profit. They are the ones who can truly say that our economy is improving. On the other hand, if ordinary citizens is to be asked, they will not be able to say that economic status is improving because they are still stuck in the life of having a little food and sometimes nothing.  Some can't still buy even their needs in a day to day living. 

Then, if improvement is for everybody, why is it that only those in the upper class experienced this?

I think the answer for this is no proper allocation of resources. Those privileged few are the only one who can benefit this and that. Ordinary people are deprived of their rights and privileges because of the fact that they don't have the money and the power. This is one of the reasons why most Filipinos don't feel the economic growth.

The report says that the anti-corruption drive of Pres. Aquino helped in the level up of our economy. Yes, it can be since the money taken into the pockets of politicians can be a fund for the development of our country. It can be used to build more infrastructures so that there will be more foreign and local investment here. It can be used to feed the poor, to educate the youth, to increase livelihood and to improve public utilities. If these are the things in which the PDAF has been taken into, there will be productive citizens of our country that can be an agent and can contribute to our economic stability. If the Filipinos feel that the money of the people are properly handled and evenly distributed, not to the politicians but to the citizens, their will be no hunger and poverty today. There will be no street children along the roadside. There will be no people who can't eat three times a day because of lack of food and money. Employment rate will highly increase and the education will be properly given the needed utilities and teachers. Public hospitals and public transportation shall be allotted the proper fund for the effectiveness and efficiency of its services. If all of these will be in reality, everyone will really feel that we are truly rising from the economic downfall of the past. 

What am I trying to say is that let's not immediately say that the anti-corruption drive of P-Noy is simply an agent for economic stability. Let's prove it, show it to everyone how true it is not just in the short run but in the long run. The surrender of Janet Lim-Napoles (the pork barrel queen) to the President is just a start of our journey towards transparency of government output and high change in economic status. Let's not immediately hook up to the idea that the prosecution of those involved in the PDAF Scam will increase our economic situation. Let's not also forget that many things should be given importance for the realization of our dreams. Tourism, investment, and proper distribution of resources are needed for the so called true economic stability.

Sources:

http://www.rappler.com/video/reports/38135-ph-jumps-to-59th-in-competitiveness-index

http://www.gov.ph/2013/08/28/statement-the-presidential-spokesperson-on-the-surrender-of-janet-napoles/

https://www.google.com.ph/search?gs_rn=26&gs_ri=psy-ab&cp=18&gs_id=3o&xhr=t&q=proper+allocation+of+resources&biw=1241&bih=615&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.51773540,d.bmk&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=GdwtUvzvBMOmrAfA2oCgDw#hl=en&q=inequality+between+businessman+and+ordinary+people&tbm=isch&um=1&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=_yz1Nw4pr3uqSM%3A%3BqdDNaR7wHp1l1M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fanticap.files.wordpress.com%252F2013%252F04%252Fmahurin-4hacker1.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fanticap.wordpress.com%252Ftag%252Fnoncapitalism%252F%3B2147%3B1788

https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=arrest+of+janet+napoles&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.51773540,d.bmk,pv.xjs.s.en_US.jkEW54nYU50.O&biw=1241&bih=615&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=s-EtUqG3FYX_rAeWlIGwDw#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=rURtpYPVilnIbM%3A%3Bz_ucm_egMNaVFM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.interaksyon.com%252Fassets%252Fimages%252Farticles%252Finterphoto_1377767593.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.interaksyon.com%252Farticle%252F69653%252Fpublished--janet-lim-napoles-mugshot%3B411%3B253