RED FLAGS FOR THE 2015 ASEAN INTEGRATION!

 RP should industrialize like Sokor — expert
    Written by  Tribune
    Sunday, 20 October 2013 00:00

President Aquino’s boast in South Korea that the Philippines will soon follow in the footsteps of the prosperous Asian neighbor remains long way off and industrialization is needed for the Philippines to realize the goal of becoming a new tiger economy, economist and University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) professor Bernie Villegas said.

Filipinos have to change their mindset about blue collar jobs as skilled workers will bring industrialization to the country, he said.
Villegas noted that skilled workers are the backbone of the manufacturing industry which will support inclusive growth in the country.

However, he said Filipinos should have a “paradigm shift” and look at blue collar jobs as critical contributor of economic growth as these jobs were often demeaned in the country.
Villegas cited that this culture has started during childhood since parents instill in children that the best jobs are those of doctor, engineer, lawyer and business managers.
Understanding the worth of skilled workers is also limited, according to Villegas.

“Few have realized that they can make more money out of being a plumber than being a lawyer (for some instances),” he said.

Further, Villegas mentioned that the country should now take advantage of the K+12 program and devote the last two years of the new education system into skills training.

“Convert this last two years in skills training program because the knowledge of these graduates will drive industrialization,” he noted.
The government shall also provide support and assure that the K+12 program will properly work, he added.
Aside from the skills training program, reviving manufacturing within rural areas will be crucial for industrialization.
In order to achieve this, Villegas said that the country will get these investors to develop within these zones, as much as possible away from Metro Manila.
And also, getting more “technical people” who are now working abroad will be very helpful for industrialization.
However, he said that the government should have a competitive offer to these offshore workers in order for them to come back and work in the Philippines.
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), which is the largest business organization in the country, expects the economy to recover from the effects of recent political scandals and natural disasters.
PCCI president Miguel Varela said the economy will still be able to maintain its momentum as it already gained interests from other countries.
Varela noted that even with the past natural calamities such as the killer earthquake in Central Visayas and typhoons which ravaged some regions, foreign investors are keen to expand businesses in the country.
“(The) Philippines received so much interest (from other countries) based on business missions we participated (in),” he said.
The business group leader added that investors prioritized the strengths and potential of the Philippine economy rather than circumstances which can be resolved.
PCCI mentioned said the emergence of political issues nowadays including the controversial pork barrel system is actually a mark that the government is in the “cleansing stage” within its bureaus, addressing corruption in the country.
”This will serve as momentum of transformation despite issues on politics, disasters and territorial issues, among others,” said Varela.
“At the end of the day it’s business as usual for the Philippine economy,” the PCCI president concluded.
In his arrival message at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 in Pasay City on Friday evening, Aquino said he went home from South Korea with strong determination to achieve progress similar to South Korea’s gains.
The President likewise asked the support of every Filipino to join the collective effort to transform the country into a more progressive nation.
Also in his message, the President said he got the support of President Park Geun-Hye for the country’s quest for stability in its disputed territory.
There was fruitful discussion on the issues of defense, disaster response, trade, maritime dispute and sports, the President said.
President Park committed South Korea’s assistance to Zamboanga City, which was devastated by recent violence as well as to the Visayas region affected by a strong earthquake this week.
South Korean companies like Hanjin have committed to intensify its investment in the country, he reported. The Korea Electric Power Corp., which contributes to around 10 percent of power generated in the country, wanted to widen its operations in the Philippines.
Lotte, company engaged in hotel business, wants to put up hotel projects in the Visayas region, the President said. It also eyes to invest in other parts of the country to build more hotels, theme park, office space, and others.
South Korea’s National Pension Service has an available billion that could be invested in the Philippines each year, according to the President.
The extraordinary developments in the Philippine economy have generated a lot of interest in South Korea to bring its money here and invest, Aquino said.
The President also said he had a successful interaction with Filipinos leaving or staying in South Korea while in his two-day state visit to that country.