Careful what you wish for

As an American living in the Philippines, please allow me to give advice on the federal system. Although many Americans like how the federal structure works there, they have a different history.

The United States of America started out as 13 separate states, not one nation. People identified first with their state, and after decades, identified primarily as an American. This is not the Philippine experience.

There is a bigger problem. Depending on which state you live in of course, Americans pay about one-half of their taxes to their city and state, and the other half to the federal government. People like it because the local people best know where their money should go, and it is easier to keep track of government projects.

Here, federalism plans are vague. But it’s easy to see the big financial problem.

According to the National Statistics Office, the National Capital Region and Calabarzon together produce 53 percent of the nation’s wealth.

Under federalism, why would the local elected officials of these rich areas fund projects in needy South Cotabato or Eastern Samar? Even if the infrastructure is needed in these provinces, why would the local elected officials be generous to

outsiders? Clearly, underfunded Mindanao and Samar will sink.

Saying this, I realize that when I go to the province, people complain about the arrogant rules made by our national government. Their complaints seem justified. But there’s no need to change the Constitution to address that; it can be done by amending the Local Government Code and professionalizing the system.

The provinces should beware of the false promises of their local officials. Under federalism, the needed money will not be shared. Be careful what you wish for!

JONATHAN C. FOE, [email protected]