Trusting our leaders

As the country reels against the backdrop of heated debates about the state of the economy, I ask, and this is being asked by different quarters: Since when was the health of the economy of the Philippines been dubbed healthy? Answer: That was before the coffers of the government were raped and plundered by a dictator. Why is Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo now the president of the Philippines? Answer: To state it simply, she became president because People Power drove away from Malacañang a president who was perceived corrupt, and who left the economy of the country in disarray, and on the brink of political and economic bankruptcy. This was what president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inherited when she assumed office – political instability on account of the prolonged war in Mindanao and an unstable, and almost bankrupt,economy. What has she done, and what is she doing to repair the situation? Plenty.

To mention a few, there was resumption of peace talks – with Muslim insurgents and the communists. On economic growth, she improved it from almost zero growth to 4.5 percent growth – although not enough to reach a goal of 7 percent – and not enough to satisfy the "prophets of doom."

But come to think realistically about it, can the damage be repaired and improved overnight? No. This columnist agrees with Speaker Jose de Venecia that "the country is in the brink of a fiscal crisis – not in the midst of it." The candid statement of President Macapagal-Arroyo that the country was in a "state of fiscal crisis" should be interpreted and treated more as a rallying point for the citizenry to help and cooperate in solving the problems that the country is facing today, and perhaps the years to come.

De Venecia continued to say that he believes we can decrease the deficit gradually until we achieve a budget balance by 2008 with P80-billion in new revenues and savings of P20-30 billion in expenditures a year.

In the arena of economic development, he cited the President’s departure for the People’s Republic of China next week. Joe said she has "succeeded in bringing the railroad from Manila to Malolos City. The construction begins next week. What she will finalize on her trip is for the extension of the railroad line from Malolos to Clark in Pampanga, thereby making Clark an international destination."

The railroad project, the Speaker said, is "a meaningful development for Central Luzon, and a major factor for decongesting Manila." This means a boosting of economic activity and growth – with the facility of travel by commuters and the transport of goods.

The Manila-Malolos railroad project is financed by the Chinese government with $US400-million, and financing for the second phase will be finalized in China next week.

Joe also holds store by the major expansion of the Gloria Rice Program and the Gloria Corn Program which he says will benefit millions of farmers through expanded agricultural credits from China, which include a fisheries program in fish ports. Another positive development will be the signing of an agreement with China to finance the supply of natural gas buses that will be pollution-free.

These developments should encourage confidence in our government’s serious efforts in promoting political and economic stability.

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Here’s an educational institution that requires its students to start their own businesses while still studying. This new system of education is operated by the Centre for International Education Academy for Leadership, one of 24 institutions in the world that are International Associate Partners of the University of Cambridge. Thus, a world-class education, as well as a Cambridge diploma, can be obtained without a student’s ever having to leave the country.

At the heart of this system is a "mentor system" in which students are assigned "inspirational gurus" who guide them through their enterprise challenge. These gurus are business people who have succeeded in a variety of ventures.

Prof. Nelia Cruz-Sarcol, president/CEO of CIE Global Colleges, started CIE in Cebu in 1985, and put up the new Manila branch (located on the 28th floor of the RCBC building in Makati) as the learning center of the Cebu campus. Several of her students have been so successful in their businesses that they have been able to earn their first million even before graduating.

Prof. Andy Ferreira, member of the CIE Academy board of regents, has taught at the Asian Institute of Management for over 20 years. His book, Entrepreneur’s Helpline, was recently released by Pearson/Prentice Hall.

Cheese and Lex Ledesma, a brother-sister tandem, are directors for corporate affairs and admissions, respectively. In their 30s, they have set up a number of innovative businesses, from the Big Chill, a chain of 24 fruit shake stores, to Karaoke King, a set of 15 mall-based mini-recording studios, to Nami Private Villas, a luxury resort in Boracay. Both have masters degrees from Stanford University.

Husband and wife Francisco and Mary Anne Colayco mentor students with their practical experience in entrepreneurship and the corporate world. Frank is the author of the best-selling book, Wealth Within Your Reach. Pera Mo Palaguin Mo! Anne, a top executive of the Ayala Group, mentors the finance and control side of enterprise management. The couple has masters degrees in business management from the Ateneo and the Asian Institute of Management.

The educators behind the CIE Academy believe it is never too early to start one’s business so long as one is doing something that one understands and loves. For particulars, one may call the CIE Academy at 632-8872828 and 632-8875989.

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E-mail: [email protected]