Agriculture in Ruins: A Nation Deprived of Self-Sufficiency
Agriculture, which has long been the backbone of the Filipino economy, has been decimated by neoliberal reforms. The government’s shift toward import liberalization—promoted as a means to reduce prices and increase competition—has undermined local farmers. Cheap imports flood the market, displacing small-scale farmers who can no longer compete with the artificially low prices of imported goods. This has led to mass displacement, food insecurity, and the exacerbation of rural poverty.
The government’s response has been inadequate, offering little support for agricultural modernization or rural development. Instead, policies like the Rice Tariffication Law, which deregulates rice imports, have only worsened the situation. Meanwhile, the oligarchic control over land has ensured that the wealth generated by agriculture flows into the hands of a few, leaving the majority of farmers mired in debt and deprivation.
Recent policies like the “Rice Tariffication Law” (RTL) have been introduced under the guise of benefiting farmers through the supposed allocation of tariff proceeds to fund agricultural programs. However, in practice, the law has primarily served the interests of smugglers, cartels, and import-dependent traders rather than the Filipino farmers it claims to help. Far from reducing the cost of rice for consumers, prices have remained high, with no tangible relief for the poor. Instead of addressing the structural issues plaguing the agricultural sector, the law has exacerbated the plight of Filipino farmers, making it even harder for them to compete against cheaper imported rice. Many farmers report economic hardships such as inflation, diminished profits, and failed harvests, pushing them further into poverty.
Rather than empowering the agricultural sector, the RTL has systematically eroded its foundations. Local farmers are unable to compete with subsidized and mass-produced imports, resulting in the abandonment of farmlands, shrinking domestic production, and an increased reliance on imported food. The promised benefits of the law—such as programs for modernizing agriculture or improving farmer welfare—have been overshadowed by the widespread corruption and inefficiency in its implementation. The law’s consequences highlight a broader trend of policies that prioritize neoliberal interests over the welfare of local communities.
Moreover, there are ongoing attempts to deepen neoliberal policies in the agricultural sector, promoting the involvement of multinational corporations while removing critical regulations. Advocates of such measures argue for opening up agriculture to global markets, but in reality, this strategy undermines local food security. By shifting the focus from meeting local needs to catering to global demands, these policies further marginalize small-scale farmers who cannot compete with corporate agribusinesses. This emphasis on global wants over local needs consolidates control over resources in the hands of a few, while millions of farmers and consumers bear the brunt of economic dislocation and food insecurity.
The neoliberal assault on agriculture reflects a broader trend of subjugating national interests to the demands of global capital. These policies dismantle the country’s ability to produce its own food, pushing it into deeper dependence on imports. As a result, farmers not only face economic ruin but also lose their role as stewards of the land, as multinational corporations and local elites take over vast tracts of farmland for profit-driven ventures.
The story of the RTL and similar policies is a cautionary tale about the dangers of uncritically embracing neoliberal frameworks. It underscores the urgency of rejecting these exploitative models and advocating for an agricultural system that prioritizes the needs of Filipino farmers and consumers. A shift toward self-sufficiency, genuine land reform, and robust state support is essential to reversing the damage wrought by decades of neoliberal neglect and exploitation. The Filipino people deserve policies that secure their right to food, livelihoods, and a sustainable future, rather than laws that enrich a privileged few at their expense.
The Stagnation of Manufacturing
and Dependence on Foreign Capital
The manufacturing sector, which should be central to economic growth, has been relegated to the periphery of the economy. Instead of investing in infrastructure, technology, and industrialization, the government has chosen to rely on foreign capital, which has resulted in assembly-line operations that contribute little to the country’s long-term economic development.
This policy of promoting foreign investment in exchange for concessions has failed to produce meaningful economic growth. While foreign companies profit, local industries remain underdeveloped, and workers are subjected to exploitative conditions. The global slowdown, particularly in the semiconductor industry, has exposed the fragility of this model, as factories close and layoffs increase. The dependency on foreign markets makes the country vulnerable to external fluctuations, and the promise of industrialization remains unfulfilled.
The Debt Crisis: A Nation Trapped in Servitude
As the Marcos administration continues to borrow heavily to finance its projects, the country finds itself sinking deeper into a debt trap. Foreign debt has reached record levels, and the government’s budgetary priorities are increasingly directed toward servicing these loans rather than addressing the pressing needs of the people. In 2024, foreign debt alone has reached a staggering $139.6 billion, while the national debt exceeds ₱16 trillion.
Interest payments consume a significant portion of the national budget, diverting resources away from essential services like education, health care, and infrastructure. The regressive tax policies implemented by the government further exacerbate this crisis, burdening the poor and middle class while leaving the elite untouched. The policies of austerity, in the form of cuts to social programs and public services, further deepen the suffering of the Filipino people.
The Illusion of Stability and Reform:
Bureaucratic Capitalism and Political Pretension
The current administration’s claim to uphold national self-interest is, in reality, a thinly veiled attempt to conceal its true allegiances to foreign powers and local elites. Despite its rhetoric of reform, whether through “economic stimulus packages,” military campaigns against insurgents, or “assistance programs,” the government’s actions reveal a commitment to maintaining the status quo, rather than addressing the root causes of inequality.
These so-called assistance programs, which include cash transfers, small-business grants, and emergency relief funds, are not intended to redistribute wealth or challenge entrenched structures of power. Instead, they serve to placate the population with temporary measures, while the resources meant for the poor are often mismanaged or siphoned off by corrupt officials, political dynasties, and contractors. The distribution of aid is frequently skewed toward areas where political patronage can be leveraged, leaving those who need it most without meaningful support. Moreover, these programs lack long-term investment in sustainable development, further demonstrating that they are more about maintaining political control than addressing systemic poverty.
At the same time, the proliferation of confidential and intelligence funds particularly those used under Vice Presdient Sara Duterte has allowed state agencies to use public resources for political repression rather than national security. Despite justifications such as "tying education to national security" (being then-concurrent education secretary), these funds, often allocated without oversight, have been used to target activists, journalists, and human rights defenders, all in the name of combating perceived threats to the regime.
The government’s reliance on bureaucratic capitalism, which ties the interests of the state to the wealth of the political elite, has further entrenched inequality. Wealthy families and foreign corporations continue to benefit from government policies that protect their profits, while the vast majority of Filipinos remain mired in poverty.
The administration’s facade of reform, however, only serves to mask its true priorities—preserving the power and privileges of the elite. The so-called “economic stimulus” and military actions against insurgents are little more than distractions from the deeper issues of inequality, landlessness, and social unrest. The Filipino people are not blind to these deceptions. While the government tries to maintain the illusion of stability with these superficial programs and policies, the masses are increasingly aware of the systemic injustices that persist.
Foreign Dependence: The Kowtow to Conglomerates,
Banksters, and Global Powers
The administration’s subservience to foreign interests is a glaring manifestation of its betrayal of the Filipino people’s aspirations for sovereignty and genuine development. Its economic policies, rather than uplifting the nation, are designed to appease global capital and safeguard the privileges of the ruling elite. By granting exorbitant concessions to multinational corporations, entering into lopsided trade agreements, and relying heavily on loans from international financial institutions, the government has entrenched the Philippines in a cycle of dependency. These actions prioritize profits for a few over the welfare of millions, undermining the country’s ability to forge an independent path toward progress.
Initiatives like China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” or similar programs promoted by the United States are often presented as opportunities for economic growth. Yet, in practice, they act as mechanisms for control and exploitation, embedding nations like the Philippines deeper into a web of economic servitude. These programs extract resources, degrade local industries, and impose onerous financial obligations, leaving the country unable to assert its sovereignty. Multinational corporations and international financiers, backed by the political and military influence of big powers, exploit these arrangements to bleed the country dry, enriching themselves while impoverishing the masses.
The rhetoric of “inclusive growth” often used to justify these policies is nothing more than a deceptive façade. Cloaked in the language of progress and cooperation, these programs serve the same neoliberal agenda that prioritizes deregulation, privatization, and austerity. The result is a widening gap between the rich and the poor, the erosion of public services, and the degradation of national industries. The promise of economic advancement remains a mirage, as the benefits of these policies accrue only to foreign investors and their local collaborators. This perpetual cycle of dependence, framed as economic modernization, continues to deprive the Filipino people of the opportunity to shape their own future and achieve self-determination.
In essence, the government’s kowtowing to foreign powers, propped up by multinational corporations and financial institutions, represents not a step toward progress but a deeper entrenchment of the colonial legacy of exploitation. This betrayal of the national interest underlines the urgency of resisting these policies and reclaiming sovereignty through collective struggle. Only by breaking free from the grip of foreign domination can the Filipino people hope to build a society that serves their interests and aspirations..Repression and the Erosion of Rights: A Campaign of Fear
To maintain control over a dissatisfied population, the government has turned to repression. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in collaboration with other state agencies like the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), has waged an aggressive campaign against dissent. Under the guise of “countering violent extremism,” the government has carried out a witch hunt against activists, human rights defenders, and anyone who dares to challenge its policies.
The war on dissent has been characterized by extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and the vilification of those who speak out against government corruption and mismanagement. The NTF-ELCAC, which was established to combat the communist insurgency, has expanded its reach to target activists and opposition figures. This campaign has made it clear that the government sees any form of resistance as a threat to its power and is willing to use violence and intimidation to suppress it.
As Lenin once asserted, “The oppressed are always in a majority, and the oppressed will eventually win over the oppressors.” The struggle against imperialism, exploitation, and the betrayal of the people is not only necessary but inevitable. The history of revolutionary movements in the Philippines has always demonstrated the resilience of the people in the face of such odds.
Mao Zedong further elucidated, “All reactionaries are paper tigers.” The oppressive state, with its seemingly omnipotent power and control, is a mere illusion of strength. The Filipino people’s ability to organize, resist, and create change is a testament to their unyielding spirit.