By Atty. Antonio P. Pekas
In a presentation about two weeks ago, it was touted that the region grew by about 12% which was supposed to be the second biggest regional growth rate in the whole country. But such is very misleading as it is in the aggregate or a totality, just like the National Gross Domestic Product. These are measured in terms of pesos. And they don’t show the distribution by area or amongst the people.
So what if the value of the products and services of the region grew by 12% if such value is only concentrated in the hands of a few families? Then we the ordinary people will not feel it as we have not felt such progress in many decades past.
The biggest growth in the region was in the construction industry. Who benefitted from such growth, the contractors and those who sold the materials to them such as cement and steel bars. If there was any trickle down benefits such as those gained by sari-sari stores catering to workers in projects, it is very minimal.
And is that really growth? The government just poured big money for government contracts so there was supposed to be growth. In my book, however, that is not growth. Real growth happens when there are new industries put up in the region or when existing ones widen their operation. These result in more employment opportunities and better income to the people.
Better still if such industries or businesses are of the micro, small, or medium enterprises (MSMEs) as these mean that more people are using their brains and exerting more effort to employ themselves by coming out with products or services that the public wants to buy or patronize. And by their nature, such businesses mean that opportunities are being spread out to the ordinary people and not only favoring those who have the money or the connections.
So the statistics should have been the growth rate that benefitted the ordinary people, the number of businesses put up in the countryside or the rural areas. That means giving those in the barrios economic opportunities.
As it is, the growth in this region is concentrated in Baguio City. Is that real growth? Sounds like growth only for a few.
So another statistic that should be arrived at should be what government line agencies did the past year to decentralize the region’s economy. Were enough efforts exerted toward this end? If not, the head of such agencies who failed should resign.
Incidentally, it was just found out that the filthy rich (the billionaires) in this country have grown in number. In 20l7, they were just 3l0 individuals and in a few years they will increase by about 84%. But how about you dear reader? How about us? Will our incomes double or substantially increase? I can bet that whatever numerical increase in our incomes will be eaten up by the inflation rate or the increase in the prices of everything.
Well, decentralizing the benefits of growth is like a pie in the sky. The reason is line agencies are exerting minimal resources and effort, if any, toward this end.
I would, however, be very happy to be proven wrong on this.**
