EDITORIAL - Hopefulness

The year ended in mourning for those who lost loved ones in the landslides and floods spawned by Storm Seniang. As of early afternoon yesterday, there were 53 confirmed fatalities, with at least eight persons still missing in several areas of Mindanao and the Visayas.

Some of the affected areas were also hit by Typhoon Ruby three weeks ago. With lessons learned from Super Typhoon Yolanda in November 2013, the nation was much better prepared for Ruby, although the typhoon still left at least 18 dead and evacuation centers were overwhelmed as usual.

With everyone in holiday mode, it looks like disaster preparedness took a backseat when Seniang approached. Its toll on lives, crops and property should serve as a warning about the consequences of relaxing preparations for disaster. This is a sad lesson that must be carried into 2015.

For those who have been spared from Seniang’s wrath, most are greeting the New Year with hope, according to the latest polls. Surveys in the past years have consistently shown the same optimism among a large percentage of the population, with high hopes for a better year cutting across all classes. The hopefulness is unshaken even by the worst disasters.

In 2014 the nation was spared from powerful earthquakes and another Yolanda. Macroeconomic fundamentals remained strong even as growth was slower than projected. A peace agreement with Islamic separatists bodes better times ahead for the Muslim regions.

But 2014 also saw pressing problems that must be confronted decisively even as the nation prepares to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ summit later in the year. An unreliable energy supply threatens to erupt into a crisis this summer. Energy problems, combined with red tape and corruption, poor infrastructure and congestion in the Port of Manila compounded the woes of the business community.

Inclusive growth remains elusive as the nation fails to attract sufficient levels of job-generating investments. The new year should see the nation exerting more effort in pursuing the growth potentials of sectors such as tourism and entertainment-related enterprises. This year public officials must avoid being distracted by preparations for the 2016 general elections or allowing partisan considerations to adversely affect public interest.

There is still too much work ahead in easing poverty, promoting inclusive growth and generally making the country a better place to live. As the toll from a minor storm like Seniang shows, improvements must be sustained, whether in disaster preparedness or other aspects of life. This helps ensure that there is reason to hope for better times ahead.

A joyous, prosperous New Year to all!