Christmas 2023
Individual citizens have limits to what they can do, but these individual acts, when put together, can make a difference
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Daily TribuneIndividual citizens have limits to what they can do, but these individual acts, when put together, can make a difference
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As we approach Christmas and New Year, it is good to note that the country's macroeconomic statistics are generally good.
The Gross National Product annual growth rate for the third quarter of 2023 is 5.9 percent, up from the previous quarter's 4.3 percent. The government's Development Budget Coordinating Committee has a growth projection rate of 6–7 percent for the year. Though we may not even hit the lower end of the government's projection, we should be a few basis points below such.
Inflation in November was at 4.1 percent, the lowest for the year. Unemployment for the same month was 4.2 percent, the lowest rate in 2023.
Credit-rating agency Fitch affirmed the country's "BBB" status and changed its outlook from "Negative" to "Stable" earlier this year. S&P Global Ratings likewise affirmed our "BBB+" status and "Stable" outlook. Overall, the country has been rated as creditworthy.
The Asian Development Bank country director for the Philippines recently stated that the country's economic growth is currently at the "top of the leaderboard" in Southeast Asia.
Though we have generally good macroeconomic figures, this may not mean much to the commoner. The concern of the great majority of the people is really the high prices of goods and commodities. As they commonly say, "ang mahal ng bilihin (expensive goods)."
For the government, there are added concerns — the bombing at Mindanao State University, defending our sovereignty and protecting our marine resources in the West Philippine Sea, natural disasters, public health, the cost of servicing the national debt, preserving law and order, and all the daily problems encountered with providing essential public goods and services.
The recently released results of the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment show the Philippines as one of the countries with the lowest proficiency in reading, mathematics, and science, which has once again brought our problems in education to light.
As to the level of corruption we now have vis-à-vis previous years, this need not even be discussed.
Christmas is supposed to be a time of merriment. It is a time of rejoicing for "Christ our Savior is born." This is the Christmas we really should have.
However, it will be quite difficult to see how the commoner, faced with the problem of providing for his family's daily needs and seeing all of the nation's problems, can really find this Christmas a merry one. It will be doubtful if he can find any meaning in the macroeconomic figures showing our economic growth.
If there is anything the commoner would probably wish, it is that there would really be a savior to help him, to help the country in these difficult times.
Sadly, we cannot expect another Savior. When Christ returns, it will be on the day of judgment.
Today, we will simply have to save ourselves.
Individual citizens have limits to what they can do, but these individual acts, when put together, can make a difference.
Those in the public sector must always remember that they are public servants, that they are supposed to serve the people, ensure the rule of law, and protect and enhance the public purse. They are supposed to be the model of what is right and ensure that what is wrong is corrected.
For those in the private sector, particularly those whom the Lord has given opportunities and blessings in life, they must likewise be role models — doing what is right, countering and correcting what is wrong. They can help educate people on how they can better their lives and help ensure that today's youth will have the values, competencies, and skills to enable them to succeed in life, be good citizens, and be true children of God.
It is up to us to work to have a truly merry Christmas for our country and our people.
