No need to cut economic ties to achieve growth —economists

Cutting economic ties with any of Philippine allies is unnecessary as the country seeks to achieve development, economists said Sunday.

Earlier, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay said the image of the Philippines as "little brown brother" has stunted its growth, thus any relationship that limits the country's development should be severed, referring to the PHL-US relations. 

But some economists believe severance of any economic relationship is unnecessary. 

"We should not cut. Instead, we should create more and review existing ties if it serves us well. Amendments are always preferred than cutting ties," John Paolo Rivera, independent economic consultant and former economics professor at the De La Salle University told GMA News Online on Sunday.

"The foreign policies of the Philippines may have been detrimental to growth but it has also contributed to a portion of growth but not necessarily inclusive growth," he said.

Also, he pointed out that domestic issues are also to blame, with the Philippine image as the "little brown brothers" of America not the main factor that prevented the country's development.

"It's not all about being a 'little brown brother ' but also how Filipinos protect the nation's interest and how fast we solve domestic problems that Filipinos have created, such as traffic, environmental degradation, rapid population growth, among others," he said.

Cid Terosa, Dean of the School of Economics of the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) shared Rivera's views.

"Not really cut but add to our existing ties by exploring economic possibilities arising from the more connected and dynamic world around us," Terosa said.

"We need to define our economy in terms of our national realities in the light of our historical and cultural past. We need to be convinced that the world has become more global and that many other countries desire to partner with us," he added.

Earlier, in a post on his Facebook account, Yasay said: "(S)eparation from our former colonial master is demanded in pursuing our independent foreign policy. It implies breaking away from the debilitating mindset of dependency and subservience - economically and militarily - that have perpetuated our 'little brown brother' image to America, which has stunted our growth and advancement." 

Last Wednesday, President Rodrigo R. Duterte, in a speech before Chinese government officials and business leaders, said he was breaking the Philippines' military and economic alliance with the United States, the country's longtime ally. 

But upon arrival from China late Saturday, Duterte said there will be no cutting of ties with the US, only a separate of foreign policy. ]

"What I mean was a separation of foreign policy... In the past we always follow the US cue... Hindi ako magsunod," he added. —LBG, GMA News