Newly Industrialized Countries, or NIC - this is a term that is associated to countries which have not yet reached the first world country classification but have outpaced other developing nations.
The Philippines has been in this classification for years already. It sounds good but does it really make sense. Wikipedia contributors (2008) identified features of a Newly Industrialized Country. Let’s analyze if the Philippines, or at least Manila, have matched these features.
- Increased social freedoms and civil rights.
- Of course the Filipinos have experienced freedom from colonialization after World War II but there have been emerging sociopolitical issues that may affect one’s freedom - EO464, Killings of Journalists, among others
- Strong Political Leaders
- Political leaders in the Philippines are really strong despite a strong call for resignation and truth.
- A switch from agricultural to industrial economies, especially in the manufacturing sector.
- Agricultural lands turned into subdivisions and rapid expansion of Metropolitan Manila on suburbs and its outskirts are evidences of a switch from agricultural to manufacturing economy.
- An increasingly open-market economy, allowing free trade with other nations in the world.
- It’s pretty obvious that we have all these American and European brands in malls, and the ever famous Chinese trades at Quiapo, Divisoria and Baclaran.
- Large national corporations operating in several continents.
- San Miguel Corporation (period)
- Strong capital investment from foreign countries.
- BPOs and multinational companies in Makati, Ortigas and soon, in Fort Bonifacio.
- Political leadership in their area of influence.
- All I can say is that the Philippines is also a strong voice in calling for a more powerful ASEAN through a new charter.
In the midst of inflation, surging gasoline prices, rice and other commodities’ prices, and transportation hikes, can this classification salvage the poorest of our nation? When this crisis ends, are we back at zero?
