Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
of the
Comprehensive Agreement
on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Issued September 19, 2017
The proposals of the National Demo- sole superpower present opportunities for
cratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) acquiring necessary foreign factors and
for a Comprehensive Agreement on So- components for a rational and compre-
cial and Economic Reforms (CASER) are hensive national program of social and
concrete and doable steps towards liberat- economic development. This integrated
ing the Filipino people from poverty, ex- and comprehensive approach to develop-
ploitation and underdevelopment. ment upholds the peoples interest above
all. The role of the state is developed at
They build on current Philippine con- the same time as peoples organizations
ditions. The proposals consider available are put at the center of decisions about the
resources natural, human, technological economy. Measures shall be taken against
and financial as well as the economys the powerful vested interests that have
current production capacity. These are the long blocked economic development.
material conditions for the self-reliant de-
velopment of the Philippine economy and This is an immediate program for real
society. social and economic progress. It is re-
alistic within current political and legal
They also build on the evolving global processes and can be implemented by the
context. The proposed CASER asserts current administration as well by any suc-
that equitable domestically-driven eco- ceeding non-revolutionary governments.
nomic development is the most effective But the proposals can still evolve as the
way to navigate a world economy made struggles of the Filipino people and of the
chaotic by decades of free market policies millions of organized peasants, workers
of neoliberal globalization. The propos- and other sectors advance and open the
als recognize that the protracted global way for greater changes. As with many
crisis and growing protectionism negate things, the strength of the democratic
prospects for any kind of export-led and mass movement is decisive.
foreign-dependent growth.
The proposed CASERs outcomes are
However, the increased multipolar- moreover consistent with the NDFPs
ity and the relative weakening of United 12-point program and a socialist perspec-
States (US) imperialism as the worlds tive for the Philippines. In all of this, the
1
NDFP-PROPOSED CASER
NDFP upholds how a more democratic sector of the domestic economy is agri-
and sovereign economy that benefits the culture. Real agrarian reform corrects his-
majority of Filipinos is the foundation of torical injustices against the peasantry. It
a just and lasting peace. is also the key to ending rural poverty and
the starting point for rapid development
PREAMBLE of the Philippine countryside.
2
Executive Summary
The peasantry shall have real demo- cultural and industrial tools, machinery
cratic participation in decision-making and equipment; transport especially rail,
and the economy. The revolutionary mass buses, and shipping; electrical power
organizations and New Peoples Army equipment; electronic components and
(NPA) shall have key roles in implement- equipment; precision instruments; con-
ing agrarian reform. Peasant coopera- struction materials; chemicals and chemi-
tives and associations shall be set up. A cal products; pharmaceuticals; food and
Joint Monitoring Committee on Agrarian beverage; textiles, clothing and footwear;
Reform and Rural Development (JMC- and biotechnology.
ARRD) shall be established and a New
Agrarian Law enacted. Utilities shall be nationalized to ensure
electricity, water, telecommunications
B. NATIONAL INDUSTRIALIZATION and transport services for the people and
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT overall development. Mining shall like-
wise be nationalized to ensure rational
The NDFP has always considered na- extraction and use of the countrys min-
tional industrialization essential for eco- eral resources. Enterprises in these vital
nomic development. It is needed to create and strategic industries shall be 60-100%
jobs and livelihoods, raise incomes, meet state-owned.
the peoples basic needs, ensure rapid and
sustained economic growth, and achieve Regions and sectors shall be inter-
economic independence from imperialist linked. The rights and welfare of workers
domination. shall be protected and the impact on the
environment managed properly. Filipino
Filipino producers and domestic capital science and technology shall be aggres-
shall be developed as the driving forces sively developed with large investments
of national development. The state shall and linkages among firms, universities,
actively promote, protect and support and mass organizations.
large, medium, small and micro Filipino
enterprises. The economy shall combine The domination of big capitalists that
public sector firms, joint public-private exploit the economy and keep it backward
ventures, and individual entrepreneur- shall be broken. Foreign monopoly capi-
ship. Industrial cooperatives shall be en- tal in vital and strategic industries shall
couraged. be expropriated and nationalized. Foreign
equity can go up to 40% of equity in al-
Filipino industries shall be developed lowed enterprises but shall be regulated
across a wide range of consumer, inter- to ensure real contributions to national
mediate and capital goods. These shall development. Big comprador capital and
be phased over a number of years and assets shall be re-directed towards na-
include: mineral processing; steel; agri- tional industrialization and rural develop-
3
NDFP-PROPOSED CASER
ment. Ill gotten wealth of of bureaucrat increasingly use ecologically sound pro-
capitalists shall be confiscated. duction methods. This is to ensure the
most efficient use of the countrys re-
Workers shall participate in democratic newable and non-renewable resources.
decision-making to protect and advance Appropriate measures shall be taken to
their rights and welfare. There shall be address pollution and waste disposal. The
unions and workers councils in industrial necessary programs for climate change
enterprises and capitalist farms. Financ- adaptation and mitigation shall be carried
ing for industrialization shall be raised out.
from industrial bonds, landlord compen-
sation, progressive taxation, government The nations land, waters, flora, fauna
savings, reinvested government industri- and other natural resources shall be pro-
al surpluses, and confiscated assets. tected. Programs to genuinely rehabili-
tate and develop resources that have been
A Joint Monitoring Committee on Na- depleted, polluted and destroyed shall be
tional Industrialization and Economic developed, pursued and promoted with
Development (JMC-NIED) shall be im- adequate funding from the national gov-
mediately formed to ensure the effective ernment and from compensation paid for
implementation of the NIED provisions. causing environmental damage. Mining
and marine wealth extraction shall be
C. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, strictly regulated. Foreign appropriation
REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION through intellectual property schemes
shall be banned and patenting, where al-
The NDFP shall ensure a healthy natu- lowed, shall be exclusively for Filipinos
ral environment in the course of econom- with preference for collective ownership.
ic development. A national policy on the
exploration, conservation, rehabilitation The reckless profit-driven exploitation
and development of the countrys natural of the nations natural wealth by foreign
resources, including those in its territo- and domestic capitalists shall be stopped.
rial waters and exclusive economic zone, Grossly destructive activities in mining,
shall be drawn up. Urban and rural envi- agriculture, industry, land clearing, recla-
ronmental planning shall ensure the least mation, and the like shall be prohibited.
possible congestion and pollution across Foreign toxic waste, dirty goods, pollut-
the country. The utilization of the coun- ant industries, war materiel and such shall
trys resources shall first and foremost be also be prohibited.
reserved for the Filipino people.
All perpetrators of environmental de-
Agricultural production, rural develop- struction shall be held accountable in-
ment and national industrialization shall cluding the US and other governments,
4
Executive Summary
5
NDFP-PROPOSED CASER
ending the economys reliance on cheap so can either hinder or support social and
labour export. Gender equality and pro- economic reforms. Patriotic, progressive
tection against discrimination of women and pro-people culture that fosters critical
and other gender-discriminated sectors thinking and reflects the conditions, aspi-
shall be diligently promoted. Provisions rations and struggles of the people shall
shall be made for free day-care and nurs- be promoted.
eries, low-cost meals, and public laundry
to lighten housework. Same sex marriag- The educational system has a key role
es shall be recognized. Divorce shall be and its curriculum, materials and activi-
legalized. ties shall be reoriented from mainly pro-
ducing the labour force demanded by
The protection of children shall be en- profit-seeking interests. A reliable public
sured through such measures as eliminat- information system shall be developed
ing the conditions for child labour and and private television, radio, print, and
providing comprehensive childcare pro- other mass media outlets shall be encour-
grams. The elderly and disabled shall be aged to improve their content. Freedom
given greater opportunities to continue to of speech, expression and information
be active and productive. A non-contrib- shall be upheld.
utory tax-financed universal pension sys-
tem shall be set up. Progressive art, music, literature, the-
ater and film shall be promoted. This in-
Ample state support for disaster pre- cludes strengthening local arts councils
paredness and response shall be provided. and establishing community centers for
Community-based efforts and peoples culture and the arts. Cultural and natu-
participation will be promoted. Govern- ral heritage sites shall be protected. The
ment officials will be held accountable Filipino national language shall be more
for their negligence and corruption. firmly and vigorously promoted. The lo-
cal cultural economy shall be protected
A Joint Monitoring Committee on and cultural sovereignty upheld.
Rights of the Working People (JMC-
RWP) shall be immediately formed to en- A Joint Monitoring Committee on Pro-
sure the effective implementation of the moting Patriotic, Progressive and Pro-
RWP provisions. People Culture (JMC-Culture) shall be
immediately formed to ensure the effec-
B. PROMOTING PATRIOTIC, tive implementation of the provisions for
PROGRESSIVE AND PRO-PEOPLE promoting patriotic, progressive and pro-
CULTURE people culture.
6
Executive Summary
7
NDFP-PROPOSED CASER
8
Executive Summary
Leakages shall also be addressed. This responding to major sections and areas of
includes measures against tax avoidance the CASER.
by transnational corporations, graft and
corruption, and bureaucratic inefficiency. The strategic plan will be formulated
by a Social and Economic Planning Com-
A Joint Monitoring Committee on Fi- mission (SEPC) composed of equal num-
nancial, Monetary and Fiscal Policies bers of experts nominated by the GRP and
(JMC-FMF) shall be immediately formed NDFP negotiating panels. Committees
to ensure the effective implementation of will also be created to support the SEPC.
the provisions on financial, monetary and
fiscal policies. PART VI. OVERALL
IMPLEMENTING MECHANISM
C. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC PLANNING
This part provides for the creation of the
A strategic long-term socioeconomic GRP-NDFP Social and Economic Over-
development plan to build strong domes- sight and Advisory Council (SEOAC).
tic economic foundations and secure the This is the mechanism for overseeing and
rights and welfare of the Filipino people monitoring overall implementation of the
shall be drawn up. The plan shall affirm agreement including the work of the com-
the primacy of social goals and objectives mittees and other bodies formed. It shall
over the market. It shall be implemented also be responsible for addressing dis-
over multiple phased five-year economic putes arising from implementation of the
plans with yearly adjustments as neces- agreement.
sary.
PART VII. FINAL PROVISIONS
The plan shall be coordinated and im-
plemented across all government depart- This part contains provisions on imple-
ments, agencies and other government mentation according to respective legal
instrumentalities. Implementation shall systems, on common and separate duties
be decided democratically, be publicly and responsibilities, on the effectivity,
transparent, and be socially accountable. validity and binding nature of the agree-
Specific social and economic develop- ment, and others. n
ment programs will also be drawn up cor-