Self-inflicted failure.

We Filipinos often get frustrated over how the country has lagged behind our neighbors in terms of national wealth, industrial capabilities and overall economic output. Even Vietnam, a country that 30 years ago had nothing except the ruins of war and basic agriculture, emerged to become wealthier than the Philippines today.

The tragedy is that Filipino underachievement is self inflicted. Yes, we cause our own failures. And the people responsible for it are our political leaders. The majority of them. We've been dragged down by short-sighted, corrupt, self-serving and politically-motivated politicians in Congress, in the Senate and even in Malacanang. The bureaucracy is of no help either. Save for some exceptions, government agencies are characterized by lethargy and a lack of common sense. Hilariously, those in government also lament the country's abysmal performance as if they are not responsible for it. It is ironic, disgraceful and pathetic in equal measure.

I recognize that my words are barbed but let me substantiate my assertions through a real-life example.

One of the reasons why foreign investors involved in complex manufacturing bypass the Philippines is because of expensive logistics costs. ASEAN has become one big integrated production center where stages of production are done in various countries. The Philippines is often sidestepped despite having an abundance of skilled labor and boasting favorable working conditions at PEZA.

The reason? Expensive shipping. Two reasons for this. First, the Philippines does not have its own international shipping line. Second, we are at the mercy of foreign shipping lines who levy what they call 'destination charges' on imports, including those of parts and components for re-export. There are about 50 types of destination charges including bunker price adjustments, import release fees, container cleaning fees and more. None are transparent to the importer nor the authorities. Charges are unilaterally conjured and dictated by foreign shipping lines.

This matter has been brought to the attention of Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) many times since 2013. MARINA is the government agency responsible for the development and regulation of the maritime industry. Even after 10 years of appeals, destination charges still persist today. What does this say about MARINA? Incompetent. Ineffectual. Possibly corrupt.

The last two international shipping lines that carried the Philippine flag closed in 1995...