A world on the mend

It seems that the world, at least in terms of finances, is on the mend. There is less talk now of unemployment, and such economic terms as recession and fiscal reform are fading away from major discussion forums. This is truly a remarkable gift that comes with the ending of 2014 and the beginning of 2015.

For our beloved country, this augurs well too for a people that had just celebrated its 100-millionth born baby. The challenges of providing a better life for each Filipino remains to be a big responsibility even if the economy had withstood the global economic downturn of the last couple of years.

The expected easing of financial pressures in the world this coming year will help our main economic driver – migrant employment of 10 million Filipinos – to be more secure, and thus improve the personal incomes of every family that is dependent on overseas remittances.

This should help our government too to focus on strengthening the ground in preparation for that aspired economic takeoff that would help remaining citizens to find meaningful jobs within the country to slowly improve the quality of their lives.

Fight against corruption

Even if 2016 is still more than a year away for the next Presidential elections, the current administration will be spending more time within the next few months in making sure that its gains, which would largely mean the fight against corruption, will continue into the next six years.

A government that has made honesty, fairness, and integrity the pillars of leadership, and fairly succeeded in accomplishing what many Filipinos have been yearning for, deserves a congratulatory pat on the shoulder – but must realize that what it has earned over the last four and a half years could be wiped out by a corrupt successor.

Thus, politics will have major overtones on governance this coming 2015 to ensure that the other tasks of government, such as infrastructure building, strengthening of industry and commerce, and improvement of social benefits such as education and health will be taken cared of beyond 2016.

Yes, the illness of corruption passed on from previous administrations has become strongly entrenched in the seats of power and the bureaucracy that getting rid of it will take more than one presidential term and one good President.

Stronger business

Thankfully, the private sector – big and small business – is building up its own capabilities by plowing internally generated capital back to its existing and new businesses in the country, thereby expanding to create more jobs and better revenues.

This trend, led by Filipino-owned conglomerates, will become crucial in bringing growth to more stable footing well into the next decade, assuming that the change in government will be favorable to keeping the “daang matuwid” mantra.

A strong business sector, as government so believes, is the key to bringing this nation’s economic standing at par with other developed economies especially in a world where trade barriers are slowly being lifted.

With the world economy truly on the road to recovery, our businesses should be prepared for tougher competition from other foreign companies that have been hungry for growth and expansion. This will be a major challenge for our businesses.

Preparing for one-ASEAN economy

Next year, the business sector will also try to make a last ditch effort to prepare for the one-ASEAN economy. While competitors in other countries may have prepared better and earlier, there’s hope that ours will be fairly ready by the start of 2016.

The Philippines is still at the cusp of that sustainable growth objective, but things are looking definitely more positive than four decades ago.

We look forward to a brighter 2015 and fervently pray that this country keeps to the true path of inclusive and sustainable progress. Happy New Year to our readers!

Shale oil benefits

And from a reader, Deo Contreras, are notes to augment what you had just read. Here is what he has to say:

“Definitely, the American shale oil has created a huge impact to world order and economy. Maybe the oil cartels never thought they would suddenly share the excess profits they have been exacting on countries specially the weak ones like the Philippines. God works in many mysterious ways in His infinite Wisdom!

“Please observe that a thousand pesos of extra or high octane gas pumps into Filipino cars about 25 liters from the previous 18 liters or about seven liters more! It means more liters for diesel and ordinary gas. 

“Our provincial viajeros who supply their farm products to Manila and other places in the country are now enjoying a significant savings in travel costs. This connects with the lower or at least stable prices of goods and services.

“There is even now a proposal to remove the special surcharge imposed on oil price when it was high.

“We hope and pray with much optimism that our people will heave a sigh of relief with this oil phenomenon.”

Top performers of 2014 National Collegiate Championship

The Premier Four stage featured games for third place between two teams from Cebu, the University of Visayas Green Lancers and the University of San Carlos Warriors, and the best of three championship series between defending national collegiate champion DLSU Green Archers and the San Beda College Red Lions.

UV won third place while the Red Lions, seeking their first national championship, surprisingly dealt the Green Archers two straight defeats to grab the prestigious title.

The Red Lions achieved their goal through top-level performances of Olaide Adeogun, the Finals MVP, and Mythical team members Baser Amer and Art dela Cruz. Jeron Teng and Thomas Torres of the Green Archers were also named as Mythical team members.

Achievement awards were also given to SBC acting coach Adonis Tierra as Best Coach, and to Dexter Sy as Best Performing Referee. Top-performance prize awards were sponsored by Meralco through the courtesy of Meralco CEO Oscar Reyes and Senior VP Al Panlilio.

The Champions League (PCCL) National Collegiate Championship is sponsored by media partners ABS-CBN and Philippine Star, Phoenix Petroleum, Molten Balls, Fil-Oil Flying V Sports, Fog City Creamery, and Foccacia (A Taste of Italy).

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Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected]. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.