1987 Charter's restrictive provisions hamper economic growth, says AdCom
Dipolog City (October 9) -- Commissioner Joji Ilagan-Bian of the Charter Change Advocacy Commission has blamed the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution for impeding the country's economic growth and development.
Bian told a gathering of businessmen and local government officials attending the first Mindanao trade, investment and tourism congress held here recently that the present constitution contains economic provisions that do not help address the problem of poverty, which is the most pressing problem of the country today.
"Economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution contain restrictions of varying severity against foreign capital in the areas of investment like land ownership, exploitation, development and utilization of natural resources, public utilities, educational institutions, and mass media and advertising," Bian said.
Bian also cited that a survey of constitutional restrictions on land ownership among neighboring countries has revealed that only the Philippine charter contains such restrictions. The constitutions of Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam have no provision on restriction.
Bian concluded her talk by saying that once the economic restrictions of the 1987 Constitution are lifted, "we can expect out economy to grow."
It can be recalled that the groups supporting charter change were blaming the 1987 Constitution as the cause of gridlocks between and among the branches of government. (PIA) [top]
