SOLUTION FRAMEWORK
(Originally sourced from our Solution Framework section)
A Solution Framework that aims to address the cultural dysfunction of the Philippine Nation hinges on three solution classes. These classes represent the key roadblocks to change at the cultural grassroots level of Philippine society (in contrast with the more often-highlighted political roadblocks which to a large extent have merely cured the symptoms of our cultural malaise).
(1) Right philosophy -- subscription to a philosophy (or set of philosophies) that will put said society in a collective state of mind that is conducive to sustainable prosperity.
(2) Efficient communication -- a shared strength in a chosen language (proficiency of which is not monopolised by an elite class) that provides the society access to as big a body of knowledge as possible
(3) Wealth creation ethic -- the capability to sustainably create and accumulate wealth domestically
CHANGE INITIATIVES
(Originally sourced from our Solution Context (homepage) section)
Manage our resources properly.
At the moment, people are our biggest asset. Yet the Philippines ranks amongst the lowest in Asia in terms of investing in the development of this asset. Education and health care expenditure as a percentage of economic output is shamefully miniscule. Yet the Government continues to trumpet the heroism and achievements of what is becoming the Philippines' biggest export -- human beings.
Our forests - which were once among the country's most valuable assets -- are now depleted and wasting away. A poignant reminder of its whoesale asset mis-management on the part of the Filipino people. The human capital of our society may be headed towards the same fate.
Save and invest.
Where is teh more than $10 billion in remittances from overseas Filipino workers going? To consumerism rather than investment. Saving and investing is anaethema to our cultural character. This must be changed!
Work with one another to create robust organisational frameworks.
Our recent inability to remove a largely discredited president is a testament to the dysfunctional state of our democratic institutions. Instead of making the system work for us, we try to undermine it with street parliamentarianism. Let's not forget that hard-earned Filipino tax money funds the very same democratic institutions that we love to circumvent.
Owe allegiance to the community and the system, not its leaders.
Instead of pinning our hopes on finding one good leader, maybe we are better off working to make the system work for us so that it develops an inherent capability to keep our officials honest and hard-working.
Build true participatory democratic capacity.
Let's understand the true essence of democracy -- holding ourselves to account for choosing our leaders. Freedom is a mere privilege of democracy. Freedom always entails responsibility.