BRIEF REACTION TO THE PHILIPPINE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2008-2009
20 May 2009, 8:30am, Crowne Plaza Galleria Hotel

Senator Edgardo J. Angara

It is not unusual to encounter a study expounding that there is something terribly wrong with the country. But we don't know exactly what it is that we're doing wrong. Thus the appeal of events like this launch.

I must admit that in reading the Report, I can't help but feel alarmed. It is particularly stressing to read that the state of education continues to deteriorate.

One of the most striking observations in the Report is made in its companion paper. It points out that the issues we confronted in the colonial times persist today. This strikes me deeply. Education has always been one of my core advocacies. So I found it personally illuminating that the Report used the education sector as the model for analysis.

The significance of education is highlighted best during times of crisis. A well-educated citizenry is our best bet in taking advantage of the eventual rebound of world economies. When the upswing starts, our people must be there to compete. And the key here, as the Report points out, is to break the stasis in education.

What drew my attention in the report was the presence of success stories. It is wonderful that out of all the issues, we do have successful endeavors to share. The Third Elementary Education Project (TEEP) and Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao (BEAM) are welcome developments.

But beyond this, we should take note of the Report's more insightful points. For one, it is enlightening to read that contrary to traditional thinking, funding, may not be the biggest obstacle to educational reforms. This is a good point. Greater changes can happen if we address organizational culture, and improve professional managerial expertise. By saying this, the Report gives us the chance to effect reforms that are not heavily dependent on funding.

Yes, the report is quite distressing. But I can't help but agree with its main points. If we are to do some good, we must change institutions. Piecemeal reforms produce piecemeal results.

The same philosophy pushed me to spearhead the creation of COMSTE, which works through a Technical Advisory Council of which Doctor Balisacan is a prominent member.

Its job is to undertake a national review and assessment of the science, technology and engineering research and development system of the country. The intention is to make reforms that will boost competitiveness in key areas: science, math and engineering education, health services, energy and environment, food and agriculture, IT and IT-enabled services, and semiconductors and electronics.

COMSTE operates on certain key assumptions. There have been technological, socio-political and economic trends that have changed the nature and practice in the targeted sectors. However, the laws and rules governing the regulation and practice of professions have not kept up. Indeed, these laws have not been updated for decades.

In addition, our laws and structures governing the development of educational curricula and the hiring of experts have become too rigid. In a way that mirrors the theme of the Report, our curricula ended up being so tied down with "formal rules", they suffocated. This gave rise to a "culture" of instruction that is unbending and incapable of adapting to rapid developments.

So, like what the Report counsels, we shifted our attack. Adding more rules may no longer be wise. COMSTE is instead focusing on institutional approaches. We also keep in mind during our work that underneath all the laws and rules we seek to fix, lies a culture that must be addressed.

The Report provides insightful commentary. Yet one also gets the feeling that these are issues we have long been grasping with at the back of our minds. This is particularly true, when the Report mentions that the power of formal rules to effectively shape behavior lies in their enforcement. Everyone in this room has heard the saying that we have too many laws, and too little enforcement. Of course, making seemingly obvious assertions, do not dilute the Report's merit or weight.

I strongly suggest that we take a closer look at the Report's main assertion that institutional change is best begun, and accomplished, not by simply creating rules. Rather, we must, "re-align norms". We should shake things up. As the Report shows, a good portion of our problems have ingrained themselves as part of our culture. We will continue to tilt windmills unless we recognize that a change in culture, whether in organizations or perspectives, is what we truly need.

A final point: Institutional change under our present state can not be achieved by the "supply" side. That is, by the President, Congress or other government agencies. The "demand" forces must step up.

That means you, the citizenry. Being assertive and proactive will best help your government in taking this Report's data and putting it to good use. This is something we need to do together.

Thank you.