THANKS to the port congestion that exposed the Philippine economy’s vulnerability to disequilibrium—in this case, the limit imposed on the number of trips that trucks can make—the need for more roads has become more urgent. This was what the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI), an umbrella group of Philippine manufacturers, and the European Chamber of Commerce emphasized when they called on the government to allow the construction of two North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway (Nlex-Slex) connector roads.
If built, the Nlex-Slex connector roads would give trucks some breathing space and let the engine of commerce continue to run unhampered by delays, like those that resulted from the recent truck ban that hit Metro Manila—and the economy—quite badly. In addition, the roads in the metropolis would no longer be clogged by the cargo trucks that currently ply the Nlex and Slex. This is because the connector roads would be elevated, the kind that a study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) has recommended to be constructed.
The Jica study said that if more road networks, rail lines and elevated expressways are constructed, they would yield remarkable benefits not only for the economy, but also for the poor: They would see their fares go down from P42 to P24 and their travel time cut from 80 minutes to 30 minutes.
We understand that the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) has seen the beauty of having the two connector roads, as it hews closely to the study’s recommendation for the implementation of more infrastructure projects. Aside from this, one of the connector roads would traverse the Port of Manila and, thereby, prevent another congestion like the one that, FPI President George Chua said, “cause[d] massive problems for consumers and businessmen, especially now that we have a backlog of more than 20 ships queued for berthing at the Port of Manila.”
The Neda, which is the economic think tank of the government, has pushed for the building of the two connector roads because of their benefits to the economy. The Neda’s approval of them has not been lost on the Aduana Business Club, whose members include those who do business at the ports. For them, it is important for the government to have these roads constructed without delay.
The Nlex-Slex connector roads need to be on stream immediately. Time is of the essence, for the trucks that leave the port to deliver their goods, which need to arrive at their respective destinations at an agreed time, are part and parcel of the economy. Lost delivery time means losses in business revenue. Without the connector roads, the government would have to again confront a loss of equilibrium at the ports, which has contributed to the increase in the prices of goods, especially those expected to be sold during the Christmas season.
Thus, the government should waste no time in letting the connector roads concretize the government’s attempt to see economic growth hitting 7 percent and higher. The connection between the roads and the economy’s rise should not be lost on the government.
New FDA boss
NOW that Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go has quietly resigned as acting director general of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the focus is now on the need to appoint somebody from the ranks who knows what are needed to implement a clearer strategy regarding the policing of food supplements. After all, the FDA’s main function is to collect samples of, analyze, test and inspect health products before they are allowed
to enter the market.
Apparently, the FDA has been performing below standards, as shown by the proliferation of fake, substandard, contaminated and hazardous food, supplements and medicines in the country, which the agency, sad to say, had to acknowledge in public. For instance, the FDA had to make an announcement last week about a particular food supplement that was withdrawn because of ads claiming that it can cure several maladies.
Indeed, the FDA is no match for businesses that would want to rake in lots of money here by selling health products, making false promises and using a dishonest marketing strategy. The FDA is simply not in the right condition to protect Filipinos from these unscrupulous businessmen. This is probably what drove Go to resign.
President Aquino should step back from the usual way of appointing doctors and, instead, appoint somebody who really knows and understands the intricacies of the job, and who can enforce rules within and outside of the FDA. There is a need to consider someone from the agency’s ranks to ensure that it really fulfills its mandate. Besides, this would prevent FDA personnel from becoming demoralized.
Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona should consider the needs of the FDA when he submits a list of candidates for the top FDA post, especially now that the threat posed by the Ebola virus is growing every single day.
E-mail: hugagni@yahoo.com.