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CHAPTER V CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The purpose of this paper is to identify the capacity building initiatives that contributed to the economic growth of Taiwan, particularly during the 1950s to the 1970s. From this experience, it is the author’s intention to be able to determine how these capacity building initiatives became instrumental in Taiwan’s economic growth and come up with possible policy recommendations that can aid the Philippines in its transformation from a Tiger Cub to a Tiger economy. For this part of the paper, the research objectives from Chapter 1 will be revisited in order to determine whether these objectives were realized.
CONCLUSION
Taiwan has indeed developed from traditional backwardness to modernity. It has evolved from addressing its needs through local self-sufficiency to focus on the international market through its exports. Based on the data gathered as well as the interviews with subject-matter experts conducted, one of the capacity building initiatives that contributed to this development is the substantial aid coming from the United States. It was able to benefit Taiwan in its reconstruction and development. This aid, coupled with a vision and strong drive by the government to rebuild its country was instrumental in the changes that occurred in the 30 years that the JCRR was in place. The Commission and the government focused on the country’s resource which they deemed would benefit most of the citizens. Beginning its focus on agriculture, both commission and the government invested substantial amounts in research and development that boosted the country’s economy and in turn unknowingly transformed it from an agriculture-based to an industrial-based economy. The focus on research not only helped the industry but likewise developed its citizenry and equipped them with enough knowledge and skills to contribute to the economy.
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Foreign aid from the US was the enabler in order for Taiwan not only to start not only its reconstruction but also the road to further economic development. It equipped Taiwan with the necessary institutions, infrastructures and, directly and indirectly, the knowledge to maximize these resources and use it for further innovation. In terms of human resource development, Taiwan has heavily invested not only in its primary education but as well as the continuing education of its skilled experts and the farmers in the rural areas. This, in turn, resulted to citizens contributing more to production and innovation which further boosted the country’s development.
In the course of interviews with subject-matter experts, they all have pointed out the most important contribution of the JCRR to the development of Taiwan. All of the experts, in one way or another, has mentioned agricultural advancement, sound government policies and leadership, technological innovation and human resource development as the most significant contributions of the commission. It has paved the way for Taiwan to maximize its resources, explore how to further improve it and invest it in its people and stress the importance of knowledge sharing and transfer among generations to ensure that progress does not stop. In the words of one of the experts:
“Taiwan is a country that won’t stop its progress.” (T3, Interview).
Based on the three factors on capacity building: good governance, institutions and human resources development, all three factors have been strong in the case of Taiwan. However, in the case of the Philippines, while it is has sound human resource development initiatives specifically on bridging the gap between labor supply and demand, it still needs to strengthen its primary education system. With the introduction of the K to 12 system, the country is hopeful in providing education that is at par with the rest of the world. With regard to good governance and institutions, while the current Aquino administration has taken concrete steps to institutionalize performance
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management and competency-based system in running the government, there seems to be a long way to go as the government still faces issues of corruption on different levels.
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
With the recently concluded May 9, 2016 presidential elections, the Philippines is facing another leadership which may not have the same priorities as the previous one. The promise of a new president is proving to be both a challenge and an opportunity. It may be considered a challenge as it faces the issue of continuity. Will President-elect Rodrigo Duterte be able to push through with the progress President Aquino’s administration was able to achieve? It is a challenge to be able to institutionalize professionalization of civil service and to continue on with the triumphs as well as addressing gaps from the past administration. With the elements of New Public Management with a stronger emphasis on performance-based administration and a more integrated planning of the different institutions, these may be continually done. NEDA has taken notice of the competency-based system and performance management which can be used in the succeeding administrations. It is an institution that aims to provide much needed continuity with the use of performance-based metrics as articulated by one of its representatives. However, the priorities might change given the change of leadership. While there is a clear agenda in building the capacity of its human resource, the strengthening of governance and its institutions remain to be seen. It would be beneficial to further bridge the gap of primary education and higher education to guarantee that skills and knowledge gaps are addressed between what the employers demand and what the education system can produce. On the other hand, a new leadership can be an opportunity for a clean slate. While the President-elect’s platform during his campaign heavily stressed on the fight against crime and corruption, he likewise considers inclusive economy and equal protection of rights of the citizens as some of his priorities. Additionally, it has been reported that
President-‧
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elect Duterte came to Taiwan in January 2016 for a three-day visit in hopes of gaining a better understanding of Taiwan’s political, economic, social and infrastructure development. This may be seen as a good sign of the President-elect looking into its successful and progressive neighboring countries as models for development for the Philippines.
In terms of the handling of foreign aid, especially with the substantial amount it receives, it would be beneficial for the Philippines to have a central implementing and monitoring agency that can oversee the flow and foreign aid and to which specific sectors and agencies it is given. In that way, systematic evaluation and transparency can also be done.
In terms of agriculture, the Philippines still has not maximized its agricultural resources.
Studying Taiwan’s land reform policy and altering it to fit the Philippines’ needs and existing environment would be useful as a model. The change in structure, land reform and other supporting mechanisms such as FAs, research institutions, marketing as well as upgrading the quality and application of technology can do much to improve after-harvest process. Further, due to the increasing dangers of climate change, the government should invest some of its resources in disaster risk reduction especially since the country is vulnerable to numerous typhoons annually.
This may help improve farmers’ harvests and ensure productivity that can support not only their families but the economy of the country as well. As for government loans extended to farmers, it would also be valuable to require payment in-kind instead of in cash. In this way, it would lessen the burden to farmers to find buyers of their produce or in worst situations, sell their produce at low prices just to earn the money. The government can just accumulate the payments in kind and just sell the produce by themselves or use it in their programs.
Based on this assessment, the Philippines still has a long way to go before it can match Taiwan’s progress. However, with the changes introduced in the government, the increased
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participation of its people as well as the support of the international community, the path to a Tiger economy might be within reach in a few more years or decades.
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APPENDIX A: CONSENT LETTER
Dear Sir/Madam, January 2016
REQUEST FOR YOU PARTICIPATION IN THIS RESEARCH
With reference to the above caption, I hereby respectfully invite you as a participant in the analysis of capacity building initiatives pursued by the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Republic of the Philippines. The interview questions are based on “Comparative Study on the Role of Capacity Building in Aiding Economic Growth for Taiwan and the Philippines” which is a thesis project of the researcher under the International Master’s Program in International Studies, College of International Affairs of the National Chengchi University, Taiwan. With your involvement in capacity building initiatives, your inputs and contributions will be very valuable in the study. Rest assured that any information shared in the course of the interview will be used solely for academic purposes.
Finally, should you require any further information on the research, you are more than welcome to get in touch with the thesis adviser, Dr. Pai-Po Lee at [email protected]. You may also contact the researcher via email: [email protected]. We willingly entertain any questions you may have.
Respectfully yours, Signed:
Date:
Angelica Sarah C. Riofrio
Signed:
Date:
Dr. Pai-Po Lee
Kindly affix your name and signature below to signify your consent.
Name: Signature and Date: