NAVARRO, Kyle Dominique L.

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Years have passed since the people behind the World Trade Organization promised a picture-
perfect liberalization of the trade market. Years have also passed since we have imbued upon ourselves
the risk of being part of that painting. Let us, however, take a moment to ask these questions, did we
join in order to expose ourselves in the free market or because we are pushing our citizens towards
these promises that the government itself failed to provide? Are we a part of it to pursue our own
goals or to support the interests of other states? Are we opening ourselves to opportunities or to
exploitation?

It is an undeniable fact that Filipinos are extremely entangled with colonial mentality. In fact,
we worship and drool over imported goods and products, and dream of running away with a
Westerner. We see McDonalds, Starbucks, Tim Hortons and Japan Home Centres open every week
in every corner, while nobody bats an eye to every Marikina shoe store that closes each day. Whatever
happened to the Filipino First Policy is not really a mystery. It was the conscious choice of all of us,
but aggravated and promoted by the State itself. True, participating in a free, open market should have
also benefitted us, but do we really think that we stand a chance in the international market when in
fact, even we Filipinos do not patronize our own?

Its the season of graduation again. Imagine how horrible it is that most of the students
marching in PICC have nothing in their heads besides marching out of the country? We have shaped
our youth into believing that living and working abroad is a much better way of life than staying here.
This also causes the lack of Filipino professionals here in the country, while paving the way of the
entry of foreigners who charge twice as much for their services. But why? Why do we allow ourselves
to be exploited so much?

Government officials who pushed for the ratification of the WTO argued before that it will
bring about economic gains for our country. True, there have been advantages and certain growth that
the government reports about but what about the detrimental effects it brought to our agricultural
sector, the one where we should have derived most of our income from? Rice, corn, poultry,
vegetables, even bananas are dominated by cheaper foreign products nowadays rather than the ones
planted and grown by our very own Filipino farmers. How can they compete with bigger corporations
and with the lowered tariffs and taxes?

The issue of the WTO being highly undemocratic and non-transparent in its decision-making
has long been raised. They decide behind closed doors which can be the breeding place of
manipulation and influence by multinational companies and powerful states. Why do we let ourselves
drown in such risk?

In light of the recent events, President Trump has expressed his strong stand that he will most
likely ignore WTO policies and decisions if he finds it disadvantageous to the US. This is a clear
showing how bigger states actually care about themselves only. We have to think realistically, that
there is no one but ourselves to trust and to help. Let us take a moment to ask ourselves if we really
need the WTO. Should we open ourselves to allow others to manipulate, abuse, exploit, and use us?
Should we allow some lousy government officials to push us out of this country just because it cannot
provide us with the opportunities we deserve? Is this worth the erosion of our national sovereignty?
The Supreme Court, in its decision upholding the constitutionality of ratifying the WTO, stated that
now is the time for interdependence. But what happens when we become fully dependent upon false
promises?

Filipinos are skilled enough and the Philippines is blessed on its own with countless of resources. We
just choose to ignore it every day. There are indeed more disadvantages for the Philippines in having
joined the WTO primarily because the government lacks strong power and will to protect the welfare
of its people, and seemingly abide by the rude dictates of international trade institutions