Dark Alleys of Ad Hoc Planning

The Issue: Lack of an economic plan strengthens penchant for quick fixes amidst a crisis that is far from over.

Our View: NMI needs to formulate its socio-economic plan put together by the combined vision and wisdom of all sectors.

When we don’t have a socio-economic plan to use as a guide, then the next best thing is to resort to ad hoc approaches or quick fixes, unable to monitor what economic policies have worked for or against us. It compromises our ability to engage in long term planning so we in fact attend to the difficult task of instituting policies that would reap greater benefits for the governance beyond the years.

In the process, we shove aside addressing and resolving qualitative issues long pined for by the people we represent in our governmental institutions. In the process, we feed them with piles of quick fixes to soothe their fears and frustrations. We deny ourselves the ability to see the larger picture by turning to quick fixes as to lose sight of both short and long-term goals to better the lot of governance.

We must change this penchant for quick fixes. Paradigms have changed with new advances in technology and the advent of the information highway from education, health and other areas. If we don’t formulate a plan to map-out the future of these islands in the next millennium, we would continue perpetuating tired old approaches only to second guess our way in the dark alleys of ad hoc planning or convenient quick fixes.

To illustrate a point: When the Asian flu started assaulting these isles nearly three years ago, we weren’t sure what to make of it or how do we slam the brakes of economic contraction when more than 2000 tourist related businesses closed shop and head home. Had we had an economic contingency plan, it would have granted us some breathing space to map-out stimulus plans to assist midsize and small businesses muddle through these difficult times. As it is, we’ve simply acquiesced their closure perhaps confused over the steady contraction in revenue. Suffice it to say, we also seem to have left them with indifference of “sink or swim”.

Perhaps the alternative is for local government to employ the services of think tank group(s) who can put together an economic plan with a journalistic mind set. It is a group of professionals and experienced academics who have no political connection, thus the ability to seriously formulate a plan of vision for these isles.
The future is now! Lest we forget, only those who proactively do something for themselves would reap the benefits of the challenges of the next millennium. Si Yuus Maase`!