Peso sense: Building a nation that works for every Filipino

The Philippines is a land of immense promise, but to truly realize its potential, we must focus on a vision that stretches every peso and ensures government funding works for as many Filipinos as possible. This vision – Make Philippine Islands Great Again (Make PIGA) – isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about building a sustainable, inclusive economic system that empowers every Filipino to participate in the nation’s growth.

At the core of this effort is ensuring that our economic strategies uplift the base of the pyramid, while simultaneously growing the middle class. Both are crucial for creating a resilient, thriving economy.

Dole outs are often misunderstood as mere handouts, but in reality, they are the bedrock of social security. They protect the most vulnerable members of society, ensuring no one is left behind. This isn’t just charity; it’s a societal contract. Filipino earners contribute to a system that guarantees benefits for themselves while subsidizing the broader population through infrastructure, services and social welfare. However, for this system to function effectively, the government must be efficient in collecting taxes from as many businesses, trade activities and individuals as possible. The more inclusive our tax system, the stronger the foundation for social services becomes.

Yet, even as we secure the base, we must recognize that true economic progress requires more than just protecting the vulnerable – it demands expanding the middle class. The middle class is the engine of economic growth. In First World and industrialized countries, this segment drives consumption, fuels sales and generates the bulk of tax revenues through income and consumption taxes. A growing middle class creates a positive flywheel: increased consumption stimulates businesses, higher sales generate more taxes, greater tax revenues fund better infrastructure and services, and improved public goods attract investments and improve quality of life. This, in turn, expands the middle class further.

But here’s the catch: in many Third World countries, including the Philippines, the middle class is too small to sustain this cycle. This is the weakest link in our economic machine – and the hardest to fix. The challenge is not just about economic policies but also about recognizing opportunities to empower more Filipinos to step into the middle class.

One of the most overlooked opportunities lies in a hidden class of workers who don’t fit traditional employment structures. These are individuals earning a living through non-traditional means, often enabled by the internet and technological advancements. They include freelancers, gig workers, online sellers and other informal sector participants. These individuals have the potential to drive consumption and contribute to the economy like members of the middle class – but they face systemic challenges that prevent them from realizing their full potential.

Currently, many of these workers are lumped together with indigents or those who rely on dole outs. This misclassification undermines their ability to grow. They are often excluded from benefits and services that traditional employees enjoy, such as health insurance, sick leaves and retirement plans. Without these protections, they remain vulnerable to life’s uncertainties – illness, accidents or market downturns – which can push them back into poverty.

Imagine if we could change this narrative. What if the government recognized these informal workers as a distinct sector and empowered them with the same benefits and protections afforded to traditional employees? By providing access to health insurance, financial literacy programs and work-related benefits, we could create a stable environment for these individuals to thrive.

This isn’t just about fairness – it’s smart economics. Empowering informal workers strengthens the entire economic machine. Economic stability is enhanced when informal workers are shielded from life’s uncertainties, as they can maintain consistent incomes, ensuring they remain active consumers in the market. Regular incomes and greater participation in formal markets would also allow these workers to contribute more to taxes, fueling public services and infrastructure. By empowering a segment of the population that was previously dependent on dole outs, we reduce the strain on social welfare programs and free up resources for those who truly need them. Empowered workers invest in their families and communities, creating a ripple effect that uplifts others.

Through this strategy, we transform a segment of the population that was once a cost center into a growth driver – creating a more robust and inclusive economy. The path to making the Philippine Islands great again lies in recognizing the interconnectedness of our economic cogs. The base of the pyramid, the middle class and the hidden workforce must all work together to create a balanced and resilient system.

The government can take actionable steps to turn this vision into reality. Expanding access to benefits for informal workers, simplifying tax systems, investing in training programs to upskill the workforce and leveraging technology to streamline government services are all critical. Moreover, public-private partnerships can create programs that provide additional support, from financial products to health coverage.

The dream of a great Philippines isn’t just a slogan – it’s a commitment to making every Filipino part of the nation’s progress. By empowering informal workers, growing the middle class and ensuring social services reach those who need them most, we create an economy that is not only stronger but more inclusive.

Let’s make PIGA is not just a vision but a reality. Let’s build a Philippines where every peso stretches further, every worker is valued and every Filipino has a stake in the nation’s success. Together, we can turn the Philippine Islands into a beacon of hope and opportunity, not just for ourselves but for generations to come. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work. Because greatness isn’t given – it’s built, one empowered Filipino at a time.