Beyond Projects: Building the Architecture of National Transformation

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Beyond Projects: Building the Architecture of National Transformation

Part I — The Philippines at an Inflection Point By Karl M. Garcia Every generation inherits a different development challenge. For much of the twentieth century, the Philippines struggled to build the physical foundations of a modern nation. Roads, bridges, ports, schools, hospitals, power plants, irrigation systems, and telecommunications formed the backbone of national policy. … Continue reading →

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Beyond the Headlines: The Next Test for the Philippine Economy

By Karl M. Garcia Over the past year, the Philippines has received a series of encouraging endorsements from major international institutions. The World Bank has recognized that the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio remains manageable despite years of elevated public spending and has officially reclassified the Philippines as an upper-middle-income economy. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), meanwhile, … Continue reading →

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A $500 Million Bet on Bamboo: An Opportunity to Build a New Philippine Industry

By Karl Garcia The Philippines has no shortage of promising ideas. The greater challenge has often been transforming those ideas into industries that create lasting jobs, strengthen local economies, and compete in global markets. That is why reports that the government is exploring $300 million to $500 million in financing to develop a Philippine engineered … Continue reading →

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The Cycle of Cruelty

When Suffering Becomes a License to Make Others Suffer By Karl Garcia One of the more uncomfortable realities in Philippine society is that not all suffering produces compassion. Sometimes it produces resentment. Sometimes it produces indifference. And, in its darkest form, it produces a desire for others to endure the same pain. This mentality appears … Continue reading →

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From Overcrowded Jails to Smarter Justice: Why the Philippines Must Expand Community-Based Sentencing

Justice Should Be Measured by Public Safety, Not Prison Population By Karl M. Garcia The Philippines has long struggled with a pattern of reactive governance. Rather than anticipating problems and investing in prevention, we often wait for crises before responding with sweeping enforcement measures. When a problem becomes highly visible, the instinct is to tighten … Continue reading →

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