Catanduanes Economic Forum

EVAT, the tax reform most dreaded by many and yet praised by economists all over is finally here. Hold on, ladies and gentlemen!

WE are sick and tired of promises and the many half-hearted efforts by our leaders past and present. Naturally we do not look forward to more taxes! But keep holding on!

Let us hear what the big guys are saying! And who are the big guys? Well, we can count the World Bank and the IMF. Both agencies have been beating their drums for the full implementation of the EVAT. Brokerages like the Bloomberg and Merryl Lynch have recently given the Philippine economy upgrade ratings. These are all good. The big guys know that long term, the EVAT is one of our best hopes for a better economy! How? It takes tons of money to get one's economy rolling. We happen to be close to being broke so we need additional money to work with and pay off debts with.

So, the recent rise of the Peso against the Dollar will hopefully be sustained for many months if not years to come. How can we help?

We can help by becoming proactive in helping curb or stop corruption at all levels. For what good will additional taxes do if the crooks will steal them? Next, be proactive in the tax collection itself. Go after those businesses who avoid paying taxes.

As we keep getting good ratings and praises from the big guys, WORLD investors with big money continue to watch very closely. As more reforms and house cleaning are done by the honest folks in our government , the more we will look attractive as far as multinational investors from around the world are concerned. And ladies and gentlemen, this is the SINGLE BIGGEST financial shot in the arm that every nation dreams to have. The huge SUSTAINED influx of capital money and investment from around the world. All you have to do is look at China. These guys are using other people's money (OPM)from around the globe to keep propelling their massive economy even higher. The Chinese learned well to create the best investment environment through daring reforms. They provided the needed skill and cheap labor, treated the whole thing with EXCELLENCE in their minds! It did not even matter that a lot of folks still look at them with suspicion having been communists for a long time! They prospered and continue to prosper at a rate never seen before in history.

So here we are, supposed to be a democracy but our people are starving! So, the march is on! Go after corruption ferociously! Go after corrupt officials with passion! Chase this plague out of all government and civilian sectors. Then do all the right things to help propel our economy to higher levels. Your individual participation always counts! Our individual efforts when put together will have a powerful cohesive impact on just about any goals that we try to shoot for.

I say, 'Let us continue to support the positive reforms that the present administration is trying very hard to implement. And let us help quash these idiotic disruptions by the losers! It is time that our country achieves an economic freedom! An economic freedom which will lift you and me, our brothers and sisters from years of depravation! I say, 'Rise above the mediocrity that we have been made to languish in'! And to those who are working hard to turn our nation around, I say,'Look over your shoulders! There are hundreds, thousands and perhaps MILLIONS falling in behind you'!!The march is on!!

Joe Joson
California