Remarks of Romeo Bernardo during the Launch of the Book “Unintended Consequences: The Folly of Uncritical Thinking”

May 10,2017

Thank you for the invitation President Gilbert. I am most honoured
and delighted  to be here;  it is good to be back.   I was a PIDS Trustee for
over a decade, and grateful for the learning and the opportunity to be part of an institution that, thanks to the leadership of its Chairmen, Presidents,
Boards and Fellows ( many of whom are here ), abundantly   fulfilled the vision set out for it by its founding father-Dr Gerry Sicat.

It has won the respect of its various publics, government, both executive and legislative, academe, international research organizations and received international recognition for being at the top of its field globally.

When I was at the Board, my constant comment was that PIDS studies
are   "flowers in the desert" if not given enough visibility to policy
makers and the broader public.

In a column I wrote upon my "graduation" from PIDS, I quoted what author James McGann said about think tanks.

 "Think tanks seek to bridge the gap between knowledge and power".

The role of think tanks is to link the two roles, that of policy maker and academic, by conducting in depth analysis of certain issues and presenting the research in easy to read condensed form for policy makers to absorb.

Much has been done over the years, especially recently  to make PIDS researches more accessible to its various  publics- via  Press releases,  Policy Notes, symposium, attendance as resource persons in congress meetings,  use of electronic media ( some of which   may have been prompted by my suggestions ).

This book with such inspired, thoughtful and provocative title is a
landmark in this effort of reaching out. A big congratulations to the three editors and the various contributors, and all the people involved not just in its production, but all the researches that were done over the years that support the ten case studies covered.  It is just the tip of the treasure trove of researches over the years, over a thousand if I recall right, that cover a wide span of subjects. 

The ten chapters of the book itself have a wide coverage. Ranging from daily issues such as food, housing rent,  small scale enterprises and environmental concerns like overfishing and logging, to contentious subjects such as sexuality education, min wages, cash transfer and temporary employment-- issues that impact on the lives of the marginalized. And which unite the ten cases, and us here who support PIDS cause.

It is particularly timely. I would like to associate myself with what Professor Manny Esguerra said in his commentary.  I can't say it any better. And I quote--"More than a compendium of case studies, it is a plea for greater circumspection among those who are responsible for crafting, proposing, or approving laws, regulations and special programs in the pursuit of some noble social objectives. The book is a timely antidote to the creeping anti-intellectualism in our midst that favors a style of decision making based on bravado or strongly held priors without the benefit of evidence and rigorous study. "

One can readily point to current  initiatives in Congress and the executive that amply illustrate this--- Free irrigation, free tuition fee in State Universities and Colleges, raising SSS benefits without matching adjustments in contribution rates, Federalism as a cure all ( well captured in the title of an Ayala UPSE forum-- IF Federalism is the answer, what is the question? )

Thankfully, PIDS Fellows and others have weighed in on these very issues, and hopefully,these unstudied initiatives  do need not provide material too soon for case studies for a future edition of this book. 

 This book is a superb contribution to educating policy makers and students of every age.   Layman enough for a serious reader to understand, but does not compromise rigor by being simplistic or disregarding contrary evidence, even if it risks complicating.  It is honest. (I refer for example to the case study on minimum wages. ) 

  It is also relevant especially now that the new administration is putting more efforts in reforming/improving old policies and crafting new ones.

I would like to congratulate, I hope not too prematurely, very recent success in making "power listen to knowledge" an advocacy of major impact on welfare that goes back forty years ago academic work of Dr. Mahar Mangahas who is here with us today.

I refer to the decision to allow importation of rice by the private sector, which one hopes is a prelude to full reform of rice policy, an advocacy of PIDS and its
leaders/researchers over the decades.

On this subject, I have often asked myself about the pernicious durability of
bad policies. NFA rice policy is a classic example  on something that has been studied deeply and well for so long , and yet it persists? Why?

A chapter talks  about the possible reasons for this-  "policy makers often are blinded by factors such as biases due to ingrained values and beliefs, lack of critical thinking and open-mindedness, failure to think independently, political pressures arising from pursuit of narrow self interests that are inconsistent with the public good".  

I fully understand that as social scientists,  we refrain from normative judgements that can cloud analytical thinking.  Perhaps we leave to others, columnists or people like those in the Foundation for Economic Freedom  to translate "pursuit of narrow self interest" into more direct language that can pressure those  responsible for  immiserizing the Filipino poor.  I wonder if a quantification of the thievery, perhaps using forensics in addition to  economic impact analysis,  can drive home this point to a leadership and people that are sensitive to corruption issues.

 Other examples, why did it take so long to realize how costly and  damaging truck ban  is to the economy?  Surely  there other interests driving this beyond desire to relieve traffic ( money or power plays ?  ) Is the anti contractualization initiative meant to benefit workers? Or are the unions and their leadership trying to expand membership and dues? 

But for now,  let us not lose track of successes by PIDS and likeminded workers  in moving policy in the right direction by speaking truth-- rigorous evidence based analysis-- to power.   

For example, the EVAT reform, RH bill,  import and Forex and financial  liberalization, health care reform, conditional cash transfer expansion, just to name a few.

 I look forward to reading subsequent editions on these subjects --which could also be on "Intended Consequences".

 To inform not just the current crop of policy makers, but as it does, the young who even more so than our generation are bombarded by fake news or what poses as analysis  in 144 characters or less,  and quick fix solutions  that favor action without thought. 

 Again, a warm congratulations to the leadership and the fellows and staff of PIDS that made this book a reality, downloadable for free and now in hard copy.   

Mabuhay!