Letter to the President

Mr. Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

President

Republic of the Philippines

The Malacañang Palace

August 29, 2024 

Ilocos Sur National High School

Mr. President: 

        Greetings, sir! I hope this letter finds you well.

        I'm writing this letter to extend my gratitude and gratefulness for everything that you've done to our country. I hope that every plans and advocacies you promised to every Filipino people will be implemented very well. I am looking forward to more improvements and innovations in our country, so that we could catch up to the current technology. 

        I hope that as time pass by we could solve our problem in inflation and help our farmers more. And improve the education to balance everything. I also hope that every Filipino children receives every right that they should have. 

        I am looking forward to your positive consideration with this letter. Thank you and may God bless you, sir!

        Sincerely Yours.

Towards a More Industrious Philippines

    Several reasons have contributed to the Philippines' traditionally low level of industrialization. Historically, the economy has relied mainly on agriculture and services, such as the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector, which has hampered the development of a robust manufacturing base. Infrastructure shortcomings, such as inadequate transportation networks and high energy prices, have discouraged investment in industrial areas. Furthermore, conflicting government policies and insufficient institutional support for innovation have hampered industrial advancement. Trade liberalization has also contributed by permitting cheaper imports, reducing the competitiveness of local industries. The slow rate of modernization and global competitiveness has pushed the Philippines behind its Southeast Asian rivals. This has necessitated considerable legislative reforms and investment to establish a more sustainable industrial base.

    In response, the government and the corporate sector have developed a number of measures targeted at promoting industrial growth. The government's Build, Build, Build program improves infrastructure to make it more suitable to industrial activities, whilst the
Philippine Development Plan fosters manufacturing competitiveness. Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have been formed to encourage foreign investment and provide incentives to industries. The business sector has also responded, with local conglomerates investing in infrastructure and energy. There has been a focus on creating human capital, including technical-vocational education and STEM programs designed to close the skills gap. Partnerships with multinational corporations have aided the transfer of technology and experience to local sectors. Together, these initiatives aim to establish the groundwork for a highly industrialized economy.

    
However, significant hurdles remain on the country's route to industrialization. Corruption and bureaucracy continue to impede project delivery and deter international investment. Environmental problems also present a challenge, as industrial progress must be balanced with sustainability, particularly given the Philippines' vulnerability to climate change. The country confronts significant competition from neighboring industrializing countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia, which have stronger policies in place. Furthermore, despite educational gains, there is a skills gap that must be addressed in order to meet the expectations of industrial sectors. To address these obstacles, the Philippines will require constant political will, increased transparency, and a commitment to sustainable development. The country will only achieve long-term, inclusive industrial growth if the public and private sectors work together effectively.

The Unknown Piece of Me

    I was raised by my parents as a very thoughtful, joyful, talkative, and brainy kid. In grade school, I always go to contests such as MTAP and at a young age I started my student leadership journey, so with that I began to attend youth and adolescent related seminars that is conducted by our municipality. And as I step into high school I became more enthusiastic in serving the school and being a part of the school organization. That’s why I ran as a representative and won, so with the next year. But for grade 9, I lose but I believe that maybe it’s my fate. I tried my luck again for my last year in junior high and thankfully I won, and I’m planning to run again for next year.

    In high school, I started to develop hobbies because I believe that having no hobbies is boring. So in my first year, I began learning how to do calligraphy , I did not master it but I used it on my answer sheets by designing them. In second year, I joined badminton in intramurals, but I lose, I planned to do training to develop my skills but I don’t have the time and money to do do.  And I also developed interest in playing guitar ‘cause I think it’s cool, but I did not master it also. In third year, I learned how to cook.