Lopez, Jose Miguel Belleza ABM 211 Applied Economics: Ms.

Guray

Reaction Paper about the Principles of Sustain Development under Philippines Agenda 21 and
the Philippine Agenda Visions
I belong to a middle class family, wherein my needs are easily provided by my parents
(because as of now, I’m still a student.). I think that I’m lucky enough on my current life because
I think that I am more privileged than other people. Let’s be honest. Not all people around the
world can maintain a 3-balanced daily meal routine intake because they are less fortunate than
the others, like my country, the Philippines. Well, I must say that the Philippines is actually a
wealthy country in terms in agricultural aspect, but it is still considered as one of the Third
World Country. Why? Because we don’t use it at its maximum capacity, and some politicians
take advantage and use it on their very own personal purposes. This is one of the reasons why
Former President Fidel V. Ramos created the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development
(PCSD), which subsequently produced Philippine Agenda 21 (PA 21), and there are many
principles and visions that are under PA 21. This reaction paper will be talking about the
Principles of Sustainable Development under PA 21 and the Philippine Agenda Visions.
According to Brundtland (1987), sustainable development is a development that meets
the need of the present without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their
own need. This specific concept is badly needed by the Philippines, and I must say that the
principles of sustainable development under PA 21 will be the guide on the better future for the
future generations. These fourteen (14) Principles, namely: (1) The Primacy of Developing Full
Human Potential. (2) Holistic Science and Appropriate Technology, (3) Cultural, Moral and
Spiritual Sensitivity, (4) National Sovereignty, (5) Gender Sensitivity, (6) Peace, Order and
National Unity, (7) Social Justice, Inter and Intra Generational Equity and Spacial Equity, (8)
Participatory Democracy, (9) Institutional Viability, (10) Viable, Sound and Broad-based
Economic Development, (11) Sustanable Population, (12) Ecological Population, (13) Bio-
geographical Equity and Community-based Resource Management, and (14) Global Cooperation
will be the foundation to obtain the “better” version of the said country by its people, together
with the Philippine Agenda 21 Visions. Equality and Equity are stated on the principles, which is
controversial in terms of Gender Sensitivity that both men and womenhave importance in the
sustainable development and in Viable, Sound and Broad-based Economic Development in
which equally shares the benefits of progress, etc. I think these fourteen principles will be a good
asset of every Filipino if it is applied and practice everyday. Another one is poverty is inevitable,
in most cases, but lessening the poverty rate of one country can help the economic status, the
overall nation, might as well its people. Therefore, in conclusion on this part, PA 21 is beneficial
and could be the key factor in achieving the country’s goal, the sustainable development.
But there are some weeknesses in this agenda. The biggest weakness is the cooperation.
People tends to focus only for their personal interest than the nation’s situation. We cannot
achieve global competitiveness if majority of the people apply no cooperation on themselves. As
of now, I, as a pure Filipino, only seen a few politicians/government officials and individuals that
whole-heartedly care for our country. Corruption also takes place on the lack of cooperation or
participation. Some politicians are only mindful on their own interest, and worst is that they use
and utilize the money (or taxes that collected from taxpayers) to gain self-satisfaction. And, at
the national level, every state needs to analyze developmental-related problems using the best
available science or technique and knowledge to ensure that economic growth and human
population do not threaten both the country’s and planet’s ecological security. But this is only
possible if state institutions and systems have the capacity to manage the process of
development, especially at the local level, where there’s a need to harness the people’s potential.
In conclusion, the principles and visions of Philippine Agenda 21 will be a great blueprint
to obtain sustainable development. It can benefit less unfortunate filipino people, potential
investors from other countries, and also ourselves. But thinking, logically, the said agenda will
be utilizing and applying throughout the Philippines, making the said country an idealistic one.
Yes, it is possible that nations’s people will have the traits in accordance to PA 21, but
practically speaking, with our current situation and current available resources? I think we still
have a long way to take, but it isn’t impossible, considering also the external factors that affects
the Principles and Visions of PA 21.