Nacionalista Party IN RESPONSE TO THE PEOPLE’S CONCERNS December 15, 2009 The

Philippines is basically an underdeveloped agricultural country. Majority of its

people still live in the rural areas and support themselves through agriculture
and fisheries. The nation’s main problem is widespread poverty and social
injustice. The main thrust of our platform is emancipating the people from poverty
and injustice. Self reliant and sustainable economic development program shall be
pursued by implementing agrarian reform, increasing agricultural productivity and
developing domestic industries. The problems of environmental destruction, climate
change and recurring calamities shall be comprehensively addressed. High priority
shall be given to education, health, housing and other basic social services.
Economic development should be coupled with reforms ensuring social equity and
respect for human rights. People empowerment and good governance are vital to
implementing meaningful reforms in the economy, politics, culture and foreign
relations. A foreign policy based on respect for national sovereignty and ensuring
mutual benefit shall be charted. The policy of economic liberalization and blind
adherence to “globalization” must be reviewed. Unequal economic, military and
other foreign treaties and agreements must be corrected. Ang Bayan higit sa lahat!
On agriculture and rural development The development of our agricultural lands and
providing livelihood opportunities shall raise the standard of living in the rural
areas and increase manpower productivity.
Food production should be geared towards food self sufficiency. Emphasis should be
given to staple crops such rice and corn. We shall review the policy on trade
liberalization in agriculture and provide support and safety nets in order to
protect local producers and at the same time giving them access to global market.
We will provide support to farmers in the form of appropriate agricultural inputs
and post harvest facilities. We should open market opportunities for local
products by providing for new roads and bridges to access and facilitate mobility.
We need to develop rural industries by providing forward and backward linkages,
access to technology, and micro finance. We shall facilitate the development of
agri-business and entrepreneurship. We shall promote ecologically sound and
scientific farming techniques to conserve land for future generations, develop
local seed varieties and lessen dependence on chemical-based fertilizers and
insecticides. We need to promote fisherfolk’s participation in the management,
protection and conservation of marine and coastal resources.
We shall promote the rights and welfare of indigenous people and migrant dwellers
in upland ecosystems. We shall develop a National Land Use Policy that promotes
optimum utilization of natural resources for agricultural production, housing,
institutional facilities, industrial zones and parks and other needs to maintain
ecological as well as economic viability. On agrarian reform Effective land
distribution and thoroughgoing land reform is the government’s mechanism to
address landlessness. A land to the tiller program is a vital element of a
comprehensive strategy for economic and social development. Basically the aim is
to provide land to the landless tillers in recognition of the long years of
diligent labor that farmers and farm workers have put in order to harness and in
making the lands productive. For existing CARP beneficiaries there should be
access to rural finance and technical support to improve land productivity and
generate income. Farmer beneficiaries who have arrears in amortization shall be
given the opportunity for relief or condonation of their debts. Government must
compensate small and medium landowners who were not indemnified but were covered
by the current land reform program and to pursue land distribution with
compensation to the remaining land owners covered by the land reform law. Business
opportunities shall likewise be offered to landowners parting with their lands.
Offer joint ventures with big landowners to promote development of competitive and
new industries that will provide employment opportunities, stable revenue source
and a vehicle for the growth of our export industry. On the development of
manufacturing and local industries
The key to economic growth, aside from agriculture development, is the promotion
of a viable manufacturing sector. The development of local industries should be
supported by available subsidies and loans and technical support from government
for them to grow and survive. Provisions for government subsidies and tax relief
for Filipino industrialists and SMEs should be explored to encourage local
investors to go into the manufacturing business and venture into developing
strategic industries side by side with the government as partner. In the
immediate, the Filipino manufacturing sector shall be given priority alongside
with agriculture to address the impact of the global economic crisis and unfair
foreign competition. Public sector investment will be developed even as private
initiatives shall be promoted to venture into developing our local industries and
in the use of our natural resources. If efficiently done, almost always
manufacturing spurs growth by providing jobs and reducing dependence on imports.
To start with, there is a huge local market that will sustain local industries as
long as production output and consumer goods are of good quality, affordable and
competitive to international standards. The role of SMEs in economic development
has been well recognized. SMEs have been regarded as an important contributor to
employment generation and wealth creation in a developing economy. The development
of SMEs call for various policy reforms to help them in the face of heightened
competition and globalization. There must be a program to promote patriotic
awareness among consumers to use and buy locally produced goods. The benefits of
development must be shared with labor for it to be self-sustaining. With a viable
and strong manufacturing industry, domestic job generation will be sustained and
wages will be sufficient to give a life of dignity and pride for our workers.
Likewise,
government revenues shall be stabilized and outmigration to foreign countries
systematically reduced. Foreign investors are welcome to invest in the Philippines
as long as the national patrimony and economy is protected and not compromised.
Foreign investors shall be allowed access to land through the lease system. The
Nacionalista Party is weary of simplified solutions for complex problems, like the
problem of foreign investments. It does not believe that issues such as this
should be settled by proposals to amend the Philippine Constitution. The outright
grant of land ownership to foreigners should not be favored. There are other
possible and equally effective models such as providing incentives for the return
of local capital that has been transferred abroad. Land ownership has always been
an important component of building up the Filipino middle class and it should not
be easily compromised. Trade and investment policies and agreements that are
disadvantageous to the country and the people should be reviewed and corrected.
Promotion of partnership with donors and foreign investors should be based on
agreements that are mutually beneficial to our country and people. Develop
government capacity to enter into new industrial accord either through joint
venture with local capital and/or foreign investors to promote growth and provide
services to our people. On the rights of the working people Due to the current
economic slow-down and in the face of difficult local capital build-up, government
should provide for a stimulus package to immediately address the need of laborers
and employees for a just and decent wage. A reasonable, legislated wage hike shall
be considered as an option alongside with the Regional Tripartite Wages and
Productivity Boards in addressing the demands for wage hikes. Measures will be put
in place to strengthen job security.
Local banks shall promote borrowings and provide loans to local capitalists for
them to help their businesses grow. With the availability of fresh funds,
businesses can earn decent incomes that shall allow them to eventually provide
productivity incentives to their employees. On basic social services We shall
increase investments in human capital development through the improvement and
expansion of free primary and secondary education, greater access to tertiary
education, and the improvement of basic health services while developing a
comprehensive health care system especially for the poor. Priority programs shall
be focused on the most marginalized sectors of our society as they are also our
biggest source of manpower and human resources for agriculture, industry and
services. We shall vigorously pursue various various forms of debt relief from
international financial institutions and foreign banks and prioritize the
allocation of funds to basic social services and the development of agriculture
and industry. On the environment and disaster response We need to utilize the
country’s natural resources for our people’s development in a sustainable manner.
We shall resolutely address and solve the problem of large scale destruction of
the environment and work for the preservation and regeneration of a healthy
ecological balance. We shall set in place a comprehensive disaster preparedness
and response program and contribute in a meaningful way in the worldwide effort to
mitigate and solve the problem of global warming and climate change. On good
governance and public accountability
One of the main reasons for the worsening corruption and other crimes in the
Philippines is impunity, where allies of the Arroyo administration and high public
officials escape serious investigation and prosecution while the opposition and
dissenters are harassed with trumped up charges and political repression. In order
to promote good governance, it is important to hold accountable Pres. Gloria
Arroyo and other high public officials and personalities for possible charges of
plunder, electoral fraud, gross human rights violations and the coverup of these
crimes. The statements of assets, liabilities and net worth of public officials
shall be made accessible for public scrutiny. Lifestyle checks shall be seriously
pursued starting with the President and other high ranking public officials. The
Government should ensure utmost protection of all whistleblowers exposing crimes
of public officials. Cases of graft and corruption shall be exposed and prosecuted
to the full extent of the law. Full recovery of the Marcos ill-gotten wealth will
be pursued. On human rights and justice Justice and indemnification will be
provided to the victims of human rights abuses under the martial law regime as
well as under succeeding governments. The comprehensive recommendations of the
report of UN Special Rapporteur for Extrajudicial Executions Philip Alston shall
be immediately addressed and implemented. On the peace process between the GRP and
the CPP/NPA/NDF and other armed hostilities
Insurgency is the result of a persistent poverty condition in society. To address
this issue is to solve widespread poverty. The peace process provides an avenue to
exchange ideas and approaches to address our poverty stricken society. Meanwhile,
while still in the process of negotiations and to humanize the ongoing armed
conflict, both parties should observe and strictly comply with international
humanitarian law and other joint agreements reached in the earlier periods of the
peace process. It is important to both parties to pursue peace with sincerity and
with the aim of solving the armed conflict through genuine economic development
benefitting our country and our people first and serving the global community
second. There should be confidence-building measures at the various stages of the
negotiation. A compromise should be reach on contentious issues. The temporary
cessation of hostilities should be in the form of mutually agreed upon
commitments. Once peace is achieved, there should be provisions for constants
dialogue and review of commitments to prevent the recurrence of animosity and
discord. On foreign relations and the Visiting Forces Agreement An independent
foreign policy based on the respect for national sovereignty, peaceful settlement
of conflicts and mutual benefits of concerned countries shall be charted. We need
to promote and increase trade relations with our Asian neighbors in the spirit of
equality and mutually beneficial accords. We should learn from each other the
knowledge built around years of technology, research and development and marketing
promotions. The Visiting Forces Agreement must be reviewed and its terms
negotiated - specifically on Philippine criminal jurisdiction, the
prolonged presence of US troops and non-combat participation based on the
provisions of the fundamental laws of the land.