Regret! That is what I felt after confirming the resignation or transfer (or whatever it is called) of University of the Philippines Professor Dr. Clarita Carlos from her 7-month stint as the first woman National Security Adviser (NSA). At that moment, I was holding the well-written draft of The National Strategy (NS) distilled from most recent empirical data and expertise of scientists and researchers whom she pulled to create a roadmap for government action that has a timeframe of between six to ten years or more. As the public was made aware, this social scientist gathered a circle of experts from different fields equipped with depth of scientific knowledge in their respective discipline. I was lucky to be in the circle serving as one of the experts during round table discussions on various topics that are all matters of national security.
What will happen to this 47-page document ready to roll for consultation among stakeholders through the facilitation of more scientists to enrich and finalize the national strategies? I cannot help but regret the loss of an ideal science-based NSA, but I have trust that the President has his wisdom and reason to give up on a cabinet member who in the first place did not apply for the position. Also, I am sure that Dr Carlos’ developmental milestone is towards legacy-building and her love of country is nurtured through decades of academic excellence.
Who are we losing in NSA?
The Filipino public saw a Miriam Defensor-Santiago in her with her brave and witty comments and use of vocabulary which will drive you to search in Google. Her personality reminds us of our terror professor whom we may want to learn from but will tremble to death during recitation. I had that feeling during the SMNI Senatorial Debate where she grilled me like a panelist in a dissertation defense.
Her academic credits include Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service, master’s and doctorate degree in Political Science from the University of the Philippines. She is one of the pioneers in Political Psychology with post-doctoral work in Political Psychology at the Cornell University and Comparative Foreign Policy Analysis at the University of California. Aside from being a Full Professor at the University of the Philippines, she served as President of the National Defense College of the Philippines and consultant to the Senate of the Philippines and Local Government Development Foundation, among others.
She had 56 years of solid experience as a social scientist. She has written as many books, researches and academic papers as her age. The National Strategy was crafted through her theoretical insights harmonized with empirical evidences on the ground which potentially could create impact for transformational change.
The National Strategy from Science
The NS posits that human security thrives on two key preconditions. First, a strong economy that can generate the financial means and capacity to sustain, nurture, and promote the welfare and well-being of the populace. Second, a stable and tranquil environment which only the State can ensure, where strong State is essential. It asserts that human security, economic development and national security are inextricably intertwined and reinforce one another. One cannot prosper without satisfying the two others. These should develop and grow simultaneously.
The vision of “matatag, maginhawa at panatag na buhay,” seeks a balance between fulfilling the needs of the Filipino individual and his family, and the needs of economic development and national security. The National Security relies on a firmly established government that serves as the nation’s bedrock of stability and dependability. The National Security is a call for action and unity in government and whole of Philippine society.
Every agendum is predicated by a set of data that midwifes goals that in return give birth to some of the most brilliant strategies.
The first chapter, or Key Result Area, of the NS focuses on Good Governance and Social Cohesion, where the two-fold sub-goals include the respect for human dignity and human rights, cited as the heart of the NS, and the development of sense of community. It acknowledges that good governance is the fundamental basis for national unity, political stability, social cohesion and economic growth.
The second is the NS for a Humane Society, which considers the Filipino welfare and well-being to be as paramount as State’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Included in this broad agenda are strategies towards the goals of Quality Health Care; Inclusive and Equitable Education; Safe, Accessible and Affordable Water; Affordable and Decent Housing; Available, Accessible, Affordable, Safe Nutritious Foods for All; and Decent Work for All.
The third focus is on the Environment and Natural Resource, which recognizes that responsible natural resource exploitation and environmental protection are vital components of sustainable development planning. It endeavors towards a Climate Change Resilient Community, and Efficient, sufficient and Affordable Energy.
The Fourth NS highlights a Prosperous, Inclusive and Sustainable Economy, which would usher in a better quality of life for all Filipinos. It has strategies for intensified Infrastructure Development; Inclusive, Safe, and Secure Digital Philippines; A Robust Maritime Industry; and, A Fair and Effective Tax Administration.
The Fifth cluster of NS covers the Safe and Secure Philippines. The priority goals are the promotion of safe and secure community, and the development of multi-mission and world class armed forces.
Lastly, the NS also focuses on the Regional Strategic Environment. It recognizes that the Indo-Pacific region is the center of gravity of global economic growth, hence strategies towards a peaceful, prosperous and rules-based Indo-Pacific Region. It also addresses the possibility of chemical, biological, and radiologic weapons (CBRN) attack by group of terrorists as well as nuclear arms race involving big and rogue powers.
The comprehensive NS, hopefully, would be adopted by the new NSA, otherwise it will just gather cobwebs elsewhere like many researches that are filed in vain. Afterall, the NSA should be more of a wise counsel to the President and Dr Carlos’ thumbprint in this document is a guarantee that it is of high scientific value.
Many are as broken-hearted as Dr Clarita Carlos because of her departure as NSA. But like her, we surrender our personal preferences to national interests which we hope were reason for the big decision. The hope springs eternal given her assurance that there is mutual trust between her and the President, and which ensures that she will be relocated where she is needed most. The former NSA wants the President to succeed and she surely wants to serve the country. And with the limited time she has in her mortality, our country simply couldn’t afford to miss that chance to make the most of her enlightened wisdom. It will take another seven decades to create her kind, or she, simply, is one of a kind. Thank you, Professor!