Thinking out of the box David L. Balangue Philippine Daily Inquirer

1. Thinking out of the box David L. BalanguePhilippine Daily Inquirer 11:37 pm | Friday, July 13th, 2012

2. Prevailing Economic Situation • The first-quarter growth in the Philippine economy of 6.4 percent is great news, and the mood is very positive that this is sustainable. • The buoyant stock market, with the PSE Stock Index breaching 5,200, is one of the best performing exchanges in the world.

3. The Philippine peso continues to surge, which in general is an indication of a strong economy. • The business sector is optimistic of better things to come, with Malacañang’s determined fight to combat corruption.

4. ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED TO SUSTAIN THE ECONOMIC GROWTH Corruption in government purchases K to 12 Congestion in MRT/LRT Traffic on major thoroughfares

5. OFFERED SOLUTION The current government procurement law, while laudable, may be supplemented or perhaps replaced by setting up a Department of Procurement that will be responsible for all government purchases above a certain threshold amount. This is similar to the outsourcing of the purchasing function already being done by some of the largest corporations in the world. Given the volume of these purchases, prices from volume discounts will be lower than if government agencies and units do their own purchasing. In addition, it will reduce not only the potential for kickbacks arising from collusion between the government official and the supplier, but also the need to hire purchasing personnel in each of the cities, municipalities, departments and agencies. A Department of Procurement can hire experts and consultants as necessary with respect to purchases that require deep technical knowledge. All requests for proposals will be posted in a dedicated website; all bids will likewise be posted. A process for vetting and accreditation of qualified bidders will have to be put in place.

6. OFFERED SOLUTION One suggestion worthy of consideration is requiring the government’s elected and appointed officials to send their kids to public schools nearest their place of residence. This simple suggestion will result in the parents of these kids seriously looking at what’s wrong with the public school system and instituting the needed resources and reforms that, in the long run, will put public schools at par with top private schools. Currently, perhaps most if not all elected and top government officials send their kids to top private schools, thus shielding them from the ills of the public school system.

7. OFFERED SOLUTION Require our top government officials, particularly those from the Metro Manila Development Authority and the transportation department, to take the MRT/LRT on their way to work? Or perhaps require them to take it at least twice a week? This simple requirement will compel them to swiftly act and do whatever is necessary to address the congestion problem, like adding more coaches and improving the ticketing system.

8. OFFERED SOLUTION Install on all major thoroughfares closed-circuit TV cameras that have the capability of reading the plate numbers of vehicles and automatically printing and mailing out traffic violation tickets? Perhaps all vehicles can be required to install radio frequency IDs that would enable CCTVs to easily capture the identity of erring drivers. Unless fines and penalties are paid, erring drivers will not be able to renew their licenses and vehicle registrations. Strictly implementing such measures will be a step toward disciplining erring drivers.