AMC Hammer - the template for Pinoy built vehicles?

**ehnriko** · December 2nd, 2007 06:04 AM

I totally agree with your statement webmeister!...

In other words... for as long as pinoys keep targetting the moon... we'll end up not hitting anything at all.

It's time to be clear with our targets... if we set our sights higher... like the stars... then chances are - should we fail... we'll be hitting the moon... and if we overshoot... we'll hit galaxies...

Surpassing ones standards is the key to really break free.

You should play advocate for this cause.

**jpdm** · December 2nd, 2007 11:00 AM

Thanks for the clarification sir webmiester.Indeed you are correct.

just a few years ago, a wrote an article (though unpublished) regarding why the Philippines has lagged behind in terms of economic development in the dynamic Asia-Pacific region. And it has something to do with the failure of the Philippine State since independence (except during Quirino, Magsaysay and Garcia regimes) to chart a definite development path FOR THE PHILIPPINES. We were already no.2 then in Asia because of the commitment of the three presidents to pursue ISI (Import-substitution industrialization). Their policies in fact, made us the 2nd most industrialized country in Asia. Unfortunately, Macapagal threw a monkey wrench on our growth engine. By the time of Marcos, as everybody in Asia notably Korea and Singapore, pursued massive industrialization, Marcos' 11 major industrial projects failed to materialize because of corruption and the SAP (Structural Adjustment Program).
Cory, Ramos, Estrada and Arroyo never pursued a definite development paradigm. In fact their regimes mark the implementation of the so-called neoclassical globalization paradigm -- privatization, liberalization and deregulation. These policies effectively took away the shield that protects whatever is left of our moribund local industry.

As a matter of fact, NSO reported the successive declines recorded by the crucial philippine industrial sector plus the overnight transformation of the country from a net exporter of agri products to net importer.

Anyway, we lack the so-called DEVELOPMENTAL STATE -- a State which commits itself to transform the country into a NIC (Newly Industrialized Country) just like what Korea (Chaebol-state-Korea, Inc.), Taiwan (Sun Yat Sen-Kuomintang), Singapore (Lee Kuan Yew-Temasek) and Japan (Zaibatsu-Japan Inc.-MITI) did.

The neoclassical paradigm (a.k.a. walang pakialam ang gobyerno natin kundi protektahan ang mga foreign investors, at maningil ng taxes sa local investors. May tax perks ang FDIs pero pinoy enterprise pinuputakte ng taxes at fees) just backfired on us -- and one reason is the utter lack of nationalism among the Filipino people (public and the state).

Lack of nationalism resulted to a lack of a national vision and its evident with our low productivity and commitment to help local industries.

All developments must start from scratch and it is the role of the state and its people to build the capacity of our local entrepreneurs.

**dprox** · December 2nd, 2007 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by webmiester

... Yes, we do export jeepneys but not to the point where they are highly visible in other countries. Most jeepneys are exported for museum or theme park like use, not really for the mass transport systems of that country. (although I heard Cambodia and Nigeria were studying it for their use)

Hi webmiester. As early as 2004, there was talk of exporting 4000 units of PUJ, targetting Papua New Guinea, with Guam, India and Vietnam. In January 2006, the PUJ began operating as a Public Motor Vehicle (PMV) in Port Moresby, PNG. I don't really know what happened next. Some surviving PUJ assemblers might be raking it in ... quietly. Let's hope they make enough profits to grow a bit.

We might need something more radical than the usual jeepneys, tricycles, or AUV, to ensure the survival of our industry. We might need something that will not just be able to make the industry survive but rather give it the possibility of universal conquest.

If we keep making our culture an excuse not to develop something different, it may limit what we can do and keep us from making vehicles outside those we are accustomed to. As I said, these vehicles only became part of our culture quite recently, and if we are able to popularize something else, it can be embraced by our culture as well.

Now, i dont know what this "new" thing should be, If I did I may have invested in making it. I hope I dont offend anyone with these statements. Im not blaming anyone for these observations. Im just saying that's how I see it. The PhUV might be it... I wouldnt know just yet.

It's good to know your vision is just a little bit ahead of most of the enthusiasts in this Design Forum. This "new" thing is what we ourselves have been trying to crack. What is clear is while we should not stop thinking big, we need take what may appear to be humiliating baby-steps before we can hit the big leagues.

If it's any consolation, ageing Japan appears headed to oblivion, with a Total Fertility Rate of 1.23 children/woman. To offset this, Japan is resorting to robotics and AI as an alternative to manpower (and social relations). Check out Wiki for its demographic situation.

Korea might not be far behind with a TFR of 1.28 children/woman. The difference is that instead of replacing themselves with robots, the Koreans are actually migrating to other countries, setting up tight communities as power bases as they go along.

I don't think Japan or Korea will bend over backward to substantially assist our industries. Anyway, it's China that is the more serious contender. And it seems we have no alternative but to work with China.
.

**dprox** · December 2nd, 2007 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by jpdm

... Anyway, we lack the so-called DEVELOPMENTAL STATE -- a State which commits itself to transform the country into a NIC (Newly Industrialized Country) just like what Korea (Chaebol-state-Korea, Inc.), Taiwan (Sun Yat Sen-Kuomintang), Singapore (Lee Kuan Yew-Temasek) and Japan (Zaibatsu-Japan Inc.-MITI) did.

The neoclassical paradigm (a.k.a. walang pakialam ang gobyerno natin kundi protektahan ang mga foreign investors, at maningil ng taxes sa local investors. May tax perks ang FDIs pero pinoy enterprise pinuputakte ng taxes at fees) just backfired on us -- and one reason is the utter lack of nationalism among the Filipino people (public and the state).

Lack of nationalism resulted to a lack of a national vision and its evident with our low productivity and commitment to help local industries.

All developments must start from scratch and it is the role of the state and its people to build the capacity of our local entrepreneurs.

Nice piece of history, jpdm. I think the "overhelpfulness" of the State during 21 years of Martial Law actually intimidated and even stunted the sense of initiative and entrepreneurship among our people. And cronyism only made it worse.

Ideally, in a constitutional democracy, the engine of the economy is private enterprise, not government. In a private enterprise economy, Government exists merely to orient and facilitate what the citizens want to do. Up to now we find ourselves on one hand having to re-awaken private initative, and on the other, to re-educate government to play the role of an effective facilitator. The lack of spirit of private initiative tempts government to "take charge" and dictate how things ought to be.

From where I stand I see at least three complicating factors that hinder healthy private enterprise in the Philippines.

First: wealth and opportunities are not justly distributed. This is what you refer to as an oligarchic structure that explains the high poverty rate and keeps Philippine society perpetually at the brink of revolution. In this case, the role of government should be to seek creative win-win solutions so as to make the playing field more equitable.

Second: the vainglorious culture of politicians, who think that they should be adulated as venerable leaders, when all that is really expected of them is to be acknowledged as good public SERVANTS. I like to use the term "facilitator" - which is what they should be doing, ie, making it easier for the citizens to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. At present, the pervasive "pabling servant complex" is a terrible obstacle to others who should be leaders in their own private spheres.

Third: greed that leads to cutthroat competiton, instead of respectful and magnanimous cooperation in as many areas where cooperation is applicable. We are not the only ones who seek to make a living. We should allow even our so-called 'competitors' a chance to make decent profits. Live and let live! Sport laang, ika nga.

[SIZE="1"]I'll pause here. Medyo OT na tayo. We need to start a new thread for strategic analyses of industry-related issues. Abangan.[/SIZE]

**redorange** · December 2nd, 2007 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by dprox

Hi webmiester. As early as 2004, there was talk of exporting 4000 units of PUJ, targetting Papua New Guinea, with Guam, India and Vietnam. In January 2006, the PUJ began operating as a Public Motor Vehicle (PMV) in Port Moresby, PNG. I don't really know what happened next. Some surviving PUJ assemblers might be raking it in ... quietly. Let's hope they make enough profits to grow a bit.

I know there was a plan to export the PUJ to New Guinea and parts of Africa but I have never heard that Guam was part of the plan. It would be hard to export it to Guam as it would be required to pass US DOT crash certification and EPA emissions regulations as Guam is a US territory. If the PUJ does pass those test it still wouldn't sell more than a handful as most people in Guam do not use public transportation because most homes have more cars than people.

**jappy** · January 9th, 2008 04:40 PM

ano na balita dito?
meron na ba ung PhUV?

**webmiester** · January 19th, 2008 01:12 AM

Originally Posted by jpdm

Cory, Ramos, Estrada and Arroyo never pursued a definite development paradigm. In fact their regimes mark the implementation of the so-called neoclassical globalization paradigm -- privatization, liberalization and deregulation. These policies effectively took away the shield that protects whatever is left of our moribund local industry.

Actually Ramos came up with the Philippines 2000 program, which was aimed at making the Philippines a NIC. However, many of the program appears more to look like a propaganda rather than an actual program since the graft and coruption was very prevalent especially during investigations after his term, like with overpriced highways, the clark expo filipino, and pia amari scandal.

Its very sad... but not hopeless

We all know the cause of the problem, but we cant find the solution together.

**dprox** · January 23rd, 2008 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by webmiester

Actually Ramos came up with the Philippines 2000 program, which was aimed at making the Philippines a NIC. However, many of the program appears more to look like a propaganda rather than an actual program since the graft and coruption was very prevalent especially during investigations after his term, like with overpriced highways, the clark expo filipino, and pia amari scandal.

Its very sad... but not hopeless

We all know the cause of the problem, but we cant find the solution together.

OT: You forgot Fort Bonifacio. :Off-Topic2:

**webmiester** · January 25th, 2008 08:39 AM

During WW2 and right after, the Japanese valued their scientists so much that they didnt let them go to war and they were treated as VIPs. It was the dream of many Japanese kids to become a scientist.

In the Philippines, the kids' dreams are mostly to become famous either by showbiz, or by basketball. Kaya even our politicians are mostly porma lang, and we are in dire shortage of scientists and people who can really develop this industry...