In a very real sense, the Philippines’ economy is very much like a modern pig farm/factory. The economy is the farm and sadly, Filipinos take the roles of the pigs. Regardless of where you live in the Philippines, much of your sustenance comes only from a relatively few select sources—from your food (San Miguel/Purefoods hotdogs and Magnolia chickens) to your electricity (Meralco) to even the road you commute or drive on to get to work (MetroPacific). Even your (elite?) college education comes from a limited number of providers (the Big Four). In almost all aspects of a Filipino’s life, he is forced through monopolistic economic policies and arrangements to live in a restrictive economic “pig pen” only to be figuratively “slaughtered” every month as the bills come due and the expenses pile up.
Are you milked or slaughtered?
Why choose the metaphor of pigs when it can be similarly argued that Filipinos are “milked” and not “slaughtered”? Actually, the net effect of these economic realities on Filipinos’ purchasing power (a fraction of 1987 pesos and continuing to deteriorate!) is closer to murder than milking. Milking a cow leaves the cow alive and, given the pain of milk heavy teats, the cow is thankful for being milked. What is happening to average Filipino consumers is more akin to economic murder since the heavily monopolized economy DESTROYS their purchasing power and pushes many to destroy their families by working as OFWs just to make ends meet In essence, every Filipino is reduced to a pig fattened on very measured “rations” (of inferior quality due to little competition) only to be “slaughtered” repeatedly.
Reforming the Philippine economic pig farm
OFW remittances are not the answer. Actually, remittances the pig farm operate worse because it adds fuel to the system. Instead of a closed system that eventually grinds to a halt due to its own inefficiency and uncompetitiveness, the Filipino economy is given a lifeline by funding consumption. This direct flooding of money to be spent on monopolies and closed economy malls only keeps the system alive. Why lower your prices to compete better when money is flooding from overseas? Why lower electricity and utility rates when remittance money will INCREASE to keep up with rising costs, right?
The answer comes from a more open economy. Opening the local market to foreign competition forces local players to get their acts together or face the axe of bankruptcy. Thank goodness for the ASEAN Free Trade agreeement and other free trade agreements that are coming into effect or under negotiation. These agreements will force local manufacturers and providers to produce goods cheaper, offer a wider selection, and increase quality—or else! That’s the power of open markets—everyone benefits. The consumer gets more choice. The government gets more taxes (due to more sales), more jobs are available, and yes, the companies themselves benefit due to a bigger market.
Support a freer and more open economy today by buying based on price and quality—buy imported goods if they have these qualities. Support local non-monopoly players if they have these qualities (the maker of Happee toothpaste is one such candidate!) Let your money do the heavy lifting.
ref http://www.ich9.com/philippine-economy/filipinos-are-pigs/
