MV-NP's Response to the People's Concern

8/14/2019 MV-NP's Response to the People's Concern

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Sen. Manny Villar / Nacionalista Party

IN RESPONSE TO THE PEOPLES CONCERNS

The Philippines is basically an underdeveloped agricultural country. Majority of its people still live inthe rural areas and support themselves through agriculture and fisheries. The nations main problem is

widespread poverty and social injustice. The main thrust of our platform is emancipating the peoplefrom poverty and injustice.

Self reliant and sustainable economic development program shall be pursued by implementing agrarianreform, 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 theeconomy, 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. Unequaleconomic, 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 standardof 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 willprovide support to farmers in the form of appropriateagricultural inputs and post harvest facilities. Weshould 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 fisherfolks participation in the management, protection and conservation of marine

and coastal resources.

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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 governments 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 diligentlabor 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 improveland 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 werecovered 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 offeredto 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 exportindustry.

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 subsidiesand 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 developingstrategic 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 sectorinvestment 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 aslong as production output and consumer goods are of good quality, affordable and competitive to

international standards.

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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 heightenedcompetition 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 andstrong 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 offoreign investments. It does not believe that issues such as this should be settled by proposals to amendthe 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 peopleshould 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 ajust 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 shallallow them to eventually provide productivity incentives to their employees.

On basic social services

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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 ofagriculture and industry.

On the environment and disaster response

We need to utilize the countrys natural resources for our peoples development in a sustainable manner.

We shall resolutely address and solve the problem of large scale destruction of the environment andwork 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 ameaningful 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 andprosecution 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 cover-up of these crimes.

The statements of assets, liabilities and net worth of public officials shall be made accessible for publicscrutiny. 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 lawregime 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

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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 theongoing 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 armedconflict 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 toprevent 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 theprovisions of the fundamental laws of the land.

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MV-NP's Response to the People's Concern

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