The Road to Transformation: Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in the Philippines [1]

In September 2015, the United Nations (UN) formally adopted “Transforming our World: 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” also known as “Global Goals for Sustainable Development”. The 2030 Agenda was launched during the UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York City, USA, and the Philippines was among the 193 UN Member States that unanimously approved the global agenda to end poverty by 2030.[i] The newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) which is touted to be a universal call to action to “end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity”, came to effect in January 1, 2016. After its launch, the Philippines immediately mobilized its national government agencies for its adoption and full implementation in the country.

This paper presents insights on the different policies and institutional arrangements made by the Philippines as it pursues the attainment of the 17 Goals espoused by the 2030 Agenda. It tries to provide a perspective on the ability of the Philippine Government and the entire country to attain its targets, as well the challenges faced by the Filipinos in pursuing the SDGs.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDG)[ii]

In September 2000, 191 Member States of the United Nations agreed to combat poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women by 2015 in a landmark declaration dubbed as the “United Nations Millennium Development Goals”[iii]. Upon its expiration, the MDG which consists of 8 goals was hailed as the most successful anti-poverty movement in history [yet]. According to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the MDGs helped in uplifting more than one billion people out of extreme poverty, allowed more girls to attend school, and protected the planet. However, he also admitted that despite the remarkable gains, inequalities around the world continues to exist, and progress has yet to reach everyone.[iv]

The Philippines, led by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) launched various programs and interventions to achieve these goals such as: Conditional Cash Transfer (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program); Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services-National Community-Driven Development Program; Universal Health Care (Kalusugan Pangkalahatan); and the K to 12 Program. As NEDA’s Cecil Reyes said: “The biggest contribution of the MDG is making politicians, the leaders, the general public aware of the importance of looking at these [development] areas.”[v] While the MDGs may not have been a complete success in achieving its targets, it provided governments like the Philippines, with a solid framework on which they can anchor their efforts to combat poverty, illiteracy, diseases and hunger in their respective countries. The MDGs may be too narrow according to its critics but it has achieved remarkable success in many aspects of socio-economic development.

The Philippines, as one of the member states that adopted the 2000 declaration, vigorously worked on achieving the MDGs but after 15 years of implementation, it too was unable to fully attain its targets. Nonetheless, it reported to have halved the proportion of Filipinos with no access to basic sanitation when the MDG expired in 2015. It also claimed to be on track in providing universal access to primary education and educational opportunities for girls; and in reducing infant and under-five mortality, reversing the incidence of malaria, increasing tuberculosis detection and cure rates; and increasing the proportion of households with access to safe water supply. Despite these relative successes, it admitted having failed in meeting targets on gender equality, prevalence of underweight preschool children, maternal mortality, access to reproductive health, incidence of income poverty, and elementary education among others.

The Philippines has learned many valuable lessons from the implementation of the MDGs. It helped the government in identifying and prioritizing the people’s development needs, on a national and subnational context. In a 2016 report submitted by the country during the High- Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HPLF)[2], it cited the need for good governance as one of the key lessons in attaining its goals. It said that achieving the MDGs required a sustained commitment from all stakeholders- government, non-government, private, civil society and development partners. Implementing the MDGs also needed a clear implementation plan that contains institutional arrangements, communication and advocacy strategies, financial plan and programs that help build the resiliency of the Filipinos against natural calamities and disasters. Moreover, it highlighted the need for an appropriate data monitoring system to make it more responsive to the demand for data disaggregation. [3]

The Sustainable Development Goal

“Sustainable Development” came into popularity after it was defined by the Brutland Report (Our Common Failure) as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."[vi]. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was then developed by UN Member states and officially came into force in January 1, 2016, four years after it was launched. The 2030 Agenda, as its Preamble says, “is a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity that seeks to strengthen universal peace in larger freedom”. It has more goals (17), targets (169), and indicators (230), than the MDG. Food security and agricultural development is at the core heart of the 2030 Agenda as it aims to address the root causes of poverty and hunger, promote equality in the society and leaving no one behind.[vii]

Upon its full implementation, the Philippines embarked on its own journey towards the attainment of the SDGs. With 15 years of experience in MDG implementation behind it, the country is confident it would be able to implement the SDGs more efficiently and effectively. It has committed itself towards the pursuit of much a bigger challenge, and has been vigorously trying to integrate the various aspects of sustainable development (social, economic, technological, environmental) to propel the country towards a higher level of progress.

THE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT
In implementing the SDGs, the Philippines first focused on developing policies and creating an enabling environment by securing the support of policymakers and stakeholders. Since its implementation in 2016, various efforts have been undertaken to by the Philippine Government and its partners to promote awareness and generate support for the agenda by enhancing communications and advocacy initiatives, and intensifying engagements with various stakeholders. Other initiatives include incorporating the SDGs into the national framework and developing institutional mechanisms to ensure its thorough implementation.

The Philippines adopted various approaches in implementing the SDGs particularly the whole-of-government, multi-sector and multi-stakeholder approaches. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) acts as the lead agency in performance monitoring, while other national level government agencies spearhead the implementation of programs under each thematic goal. Early in 2016, the NEDA Technical Secretariat held various consultation meetings and dialogues with national agencies and departments and representatives of Non-Government Organizations (NGO), Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and the private sector to identify and prioritize areas of implementation. This initiative brought about positive response and encouraged different stakeholders to support the campaign. It has become a solid platform on which various advocacy groups have anchored their own social development programs.

Building constituency for the SDGs is crucial to its implementation. As such, vigorous efforts are being undertaken by the lead agencies to create a community of supporters and advocates at the national and subnational level. Continuous briefings and information campaign are being held with other national agencies. Universities and other institutions of learning, and different partners are being engaged to broaden the stakeholder base. Various symposia, fora, dialogues and workshop-consultations are continuously being held across different sectors and interest groups. The quad-media (radio, TV, print and internet) are being tapped propagate information as far and as inclusive as possible. At the global and international level, the country is actively collaborating with other countries in the development of SDG indicators. It has been consistently engaging in discussions and expert group meetings at the global and regional arena to share and learn from best practices, and enhance its own capabilities for implementing the program.

Although the country has gained many lessons from the implementation of the MDGs, it has a long way to go in terms of effective, efficient and proper identification, assessment and prioritization of SDG indicators. Technical workshops with concerned agencies, academe, civil society, NGOs, UN Agencies and the private sector are being conducted to hone competencies in these areas. Meanwhile, the national and subnational level consultations on the implementation of the SDGs resulted to the Philippines’ current list of Priority Goals.

THE POLICY ENVIRONMENT

Policy support is vital in pursuing any development program because it serves as the backbone for its implementation. Implementing the SDGs in the country calls for the formulation of different policies and development of new strategies at different echelons of government and levels of community.

The launching of the SDGs coincided with the first year of the President Duterte’s administration which saw the agenda being integrated into the country’s long-term vision dubbed as “AmBisyon Natin 2040”. The 17 goals were subsequently incorporated in different national, subnational and sectoral plans, programs, policies and frameworks such as in the successor Medium- Term Development Plans (Philippine Development Plan[4], Public Investment Plan, Budget Priorities Framework). The SDGs were also included in the Philippine Statistical Development Plan 2011- 2017 to ensure government support in the generation of data an which enable other stakeholders to plan for and contribute to its attainment. An Implementation Plan, Financing Plan, Monitoring Plan and other institutional mechanisms were likewise developed and established as primary means of implementing the Agenda.

The Philippines held a review of the different institutional mechanisms established for the implementation of the MDGs to serve as the same bodies for the implementation of the SDGs. It was found out that, first, there is no centralized coordinating and reporting body for the SDGs hence the need to create a dedicated oversight committee and technical secretariat. Second, there is a need for the establishment of SDG Mechanism at the Subnational Level which includes mainstreaming the goals in development budgeting.

Among the initiatives undertaken by the Philippine to address the lessons learned from the past development goals is the issuance of various policy pronouncements across all government agencies including Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC) to support the implementation of the SDGs specifically through data support and performance monitoring. A webpage was created to further strengthen the monitoring and reporting mechanisms while SDG Watch has been developed to monitor relevant and available indicators. SDG Focal Points were identified from each data- source agency to facilitate coordination and data gathering. A high-level interagency NEDA Committee that will plan and oversee the coordinated implementation of SDG- related policies and programs is currently on the works.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Records show that the Philippines was not able to fully attain all MDG targets when it lapsed in 2015. As it embarks on a journey to pursue a new set of goals, it is once again faced with an extensive list of issues and concerns, some of which were the same challenges encountered in the MDG implementation. On top of the list is the availability of data and data disaggregation. Most depressed communities are in hinterlands and far-flung islands were transportation and communication remain as major concerns which hampers the timely collection, integration, submission and processing of data. There is also a need for optimal use of information technology to maximize the utilization and dissemination of the SDG indicators. Lack of clarity of the assorted technical terms used in the indicators is also a major challenge as well as the overlaps and inconsistencies of the concepts. Misconception and misinterpretation of these parameters result to varying degree of implementation and consequently, to errors in reporting as well. Still, accountability and ownership remain as among the top obstacles to be hurdled by the country. It is not surprising for different government agencies and offices to pass on responsibility to each other and blame one another when it comes to performance issues. Lastly, budgetary constraints hinder the country from speedily attaining its targets. The SDGs will reach unprecedented success if and only if it is backed up by a sustainable financing plan.

Meanwhile, the country also sees major areas or venues on which it would be needing technical support. Capacity- building on the technical aspects of the SDG monitoring and implementation, and the improvement of database systems remain as top priorities. Data collected no matter the quality and quantity, will only matter if it is processed, analyzed and converted into ‘edible’ statements for the consumption of policymakers and relevant agencies. Advocacy and information communication as well as enhancement of human resources are critical areas of concern as well. Stakeholder engagement should not be a single and stand-alone activity if we want to maximize its impacts and benefits. Constituency and ownership must be encouraged and built up to the lowest echelons of the government and society. Furthermore, the timely, effective and efficient implementation of a comprehensive list of goals and targets is heavily reliant on the availability of well-trained, skilled and dedicated personnel throughout the country. Investing on human capital is always paramount in these kinds of undertaking.

THE WAY AHEAD

The Philippine Development Framework aims for inclusive growth, focusing on national security, good governance and ecological integrity. To make this happen, market access must be improved (through trade agreements and trade fairs, etc.) and innovation must be encouraged especially in agricultural research and development and product design. Our competitiveness must be enhanced particularly in infrastructure (roads, ports, airports, communications, power, energy etc.), and flagship programs such as the K-12 and CCT must be supported. Likewise, we must continue developing our socioeconomic resiliency through capacity-building and information campaigns as we continue efforts to promote good governance to encourage investments and create jobs; and increase social participation in the growth process.[viii]

The implementation of the SDG in the next 13 years will face more challenges along the way but the Philippines is gradually adapting to it. Although expert opinion is divided on whether the country is on track in attaining its targets, it is beyond debate that it needs to pursue as clear strategic direction for its implementation. For one, it should be able to develop, establish and consistently abide with an SDG Implementation Roadmap. The roadmap shall at the minimum, contain the requisite objectives, courses of actions, tasks and responsibilities and array of resources, and serve as framework for its successful implementation. It shall pursue the creation of a dedicated high-level committee chaired by NEDA to oversee the synchronized implementation of all plans, programs, activities and policies. The committee shall also lead the monitoring and evaluation of the country’s progress in terms of each target until its closure.

Another area which the government will have to focus on is the refinement of the SDG Indicators to further fine-tune it vis-à-vis our national priorities. Having a clearly defined set of indicators will help in ensuring ownership and accountability from implementing bodies and other stakeholders. Continuously harmonizing the SDGs with the national development frameworks, and the enhancement of the indicators must also be attended to. Existing policies must be regularly reviewed to determine its relevance to SDG implementation. Meanwhile, the Philippine should be relentless in building partnerships and promoting ownership among its stakeholders. A strategic communication plan must be able to raise awareness and mobilize mass support for the 2030 Agenda. Lastly, the leadership capacity of local leaders, the cooperation of communities, and the technical expertise of pertinent government agencies and other private and public institutions need to be strengthened to make them more capable of contributing to the attainment of these aspirations.

At present, it is still too early to tell whether the Philippines will be able to successfully deliver on each of the 17 SDGs. The level of optimism varies from sector to sector but in general, the 2030 Agenda was buoyed by the promise that came with the new administration. A good enabling environment has already been created to promote ownership of the SDGs. It has already been integrated into the national development framework which puts the country into a more solid position for its implementation. With its experience in MDG, the country is now more adept at mapping out SDG indicators for a more efficient national monitoring. Moreover, it has been generally successful in engaging the participation of stakeholders from various sectors.

Still, the country cannot rest on its laurels yet because there is more work to be done. Poverty, hunger, diseases, illiteracy and inequality persist alongside a multitude of other social ills. Real socio- economic development has yet to be felt in the farthest villages across the country where access to electricity is decades away, where cellular phones are rare, and where internet is unknown. In many urban and rural areas, access to clean and safe water is still a luxury for many, and shelter is just a place under a bridge. Religious and ideological conflict pervades in many regions, and violent extremism is rapidly gaining a solid foothold. While some of our government institutions have shown stability through the years, many have yet to achieve maturity and reliability as political dynasties and traditional politics continue to thrive.[5]

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) is an ambitious list of aspirations for a country known for its resilience. Still, in a competitive, dynamic and rapidly- changing global and regional environment, the country is poised to take on such goals- armed with the best weapon ever made.

HOPE.

Notes:

[1] Most of the information presented here were based on the report “Voluntary National Review at the 2016 High-Level Political Forum on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)- Philippines”. Available at https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/memberstates/philippines. Also, the presentation entitled “PSDP Chapter on the Millennium and Sustainable Development Goals (MDGs/SDGs)” made by Romeo S. Recide, Deputy National Statistician, Sectoral Statistics Office Philippine Statistics Authority; and the report entitled “Philippine Initiatives in the Implementation of the SDG by Rosemarie G. Edillon, PhD Deputy Director-General National Economic and Development Authority were extensively used.

[2] The High- Level Forum Political Forum on Sustainable Development is the UN platform for the global follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda. It provides political leadership, guidance and recommendations for sustainable development. It reviews progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the aim to integrate the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. The HLPF meets every year under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and every four years under the auspices of the UN General Assembly, when Heads of State and/or Government attend the Forum. Information available at http://www.unwomen.org/en/how-we-work/intergovernmental-support/hlpf-on-sustainable-development

[3] The lessons learned were cited by the Philippine Report submitted to the Voluntary Review of the 2016 HLPF from the National Report prepared for the Annual Ministerial Review during the High-Level Segment of the 2015 Session of the UN Economic and Social Council.

[4] The Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 is the blueprint for the country’s development under the Duterte Administration which largely stems from the 0-10-point Socioeconomic Agenda. It is the first of four medium-term plans geared towards the realization of AmBisyon Natin 2040, the collective vision of Filipinos over the next 25 years. Its implementation is mandated by Executive Order (EO) No. 27 as well as the Public Investment Program (PIP) for 2017-2022.

[5] Please See Annex 1: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)- Philippines: Insights and Assessment. This is based on different Philippine SDG Reports particularly from the “Voluntary National Review at the 2016 High-Level Political Forum on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)- Philippines”. Available at https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/memberstates/philippines.

References:

[i] https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2015/09/historic-new-sustainable-development-agenda-unanimously-adopted-by-193-un-members/

[ii] http://www.unescap.org/events/media-launch-report-millennium-development-goals-2015-and-asia-pacific-mdg-report-2015

[iii] “Millennium Development Goals”. Available at http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sdgoverview/mdg_goals.html

[iv] “Were the Millennium Development Goals a Success? Yes! Sort Of!” Available at https://www.wvi.org/united-nations-and-global-engagement/article/were-mdgs-success

[v] “Special Report: PHL to adopt new development targets despite difficulties in achieving MDGs. Available at https://www.pids.gov.ph/pids-in-the-news/1332

[vi] “Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future”. Available at http://www.un-documents.net/our-common-future.pdf.

[vii] “FAO Philippines and the Sustainable Development Goals”. Available at http://www.fao.org/3/a-i6756e.pdf

vii. “Towards Achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. Lecture presentation of Myrna Clara Asuncion, Social Development Staff National Economic and Development Authorithttps://www.pep-net.org/sites/pep-net.org/files/CBMS/Conference/12th/Presentations/Asuncion.pdf 

Climate Change, the Military, and Behavioral Change

I agree with Elise Gilchrist of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication when she boldly said that:

The same is being echoed by Cara Pikem, Bob Doppelt and Meredith Herr, author of “Climate Communications and Behavior Change” A Guide for Practitioners”. These authors said that cognitive and behavior change challenge is at the heart of global warming.

This is based on their observations that addressing global warming necessitates a shift in the thinking and behavior among people and organizations (even at the household levels) to motivate them to engage in climate preparedness actions or activities that reduce the carbon emissions. Furthermore, they believe that addressing global warming calls for changes in beliefs, assumptions and thinking not only about the environment but also about economy and overall well-being.[i]

Global warming and climate change (the two are different), are still relatively unpopular discourses in the military including the Philippine Army. Its understanding of the impact of climate change is often associated with the role it performs in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR). It has yet to determine the impact and implications of climate change on the organization, as well the security risks associate with the phenomenon. It is still wanting of empirical studies on the effects of climate change on its military bases/ camps despite the perennial devastation its suffers due to climate change-induced disasters. Moreover, it has yet to develop a clear-cut strategy and policy on how to manage such security risks, including managing its own “negative” contribution to conditions that damage the environment and trigger changes in the climate.

While there have been a number of climate change studies undertaken, the results and recommendations [of the said studies] have yet to see light.  These studies and initiatives however, only focused on broad strategies to contribute to environmental protection and conservation such as what has been mentioned by Gilchrist. In particular, the human behavior aspect of the issue is often put on the sidelines to highlight policy and infrastructural solutions to the problem. 

Pikem, et.al, had proposed a plan to address the need for a behavioral change mechanism to address the behavioral aspect of climate change which can be used by the author to complement the RANAS Framework (Risks, Attitudes, Norms, Abilities, Self-Regulation). It contains tools and recommendations that can be applied to manage the impact of climate change on the Philippine Army by influencing the behavior of its stakeholders. 

1.     Creating the tension required to motivate people to address global warming- General concern about global warming in the Philippine Army is not enough and there is a need to highlight its impact on doctrine, organization, training, leadership, equipment, facilities and personnel, as well as on policy.

2.     Building Efficacy for Addressing Global Warming- This entails connecting global warming to other priority issues in the organization especially in military reservations such as the influx of illegal settlers, solid waste management, and poor infrastructures. It will take a closer look at the cause and effects of climate change other than the usual notion, and focus on tangible solutions to manage its impacts. Moreover, it will also give the stakeholders a clear role in the overall strategy.

3.     Building the benefits of addressing global warming- This might require making people directly experience or observe the positive benefits of mitigating or adapting to climate change. It will also require making stakeholders understand the consequences of their actions to the environment. For example, what are the consequences if energy in the camp is not managed properly? What happens of forests are denuded rapidly?

Managing the security risks posed by climate change on the military could be a costly undertaking initially. The organization must invest a significant portion of its resources to tackle various aspects of the organization (DOTMLPF) affected and highly vulnerable to climate change effects in the future. Human resources- the foremost resource available to the Army, will be the focal point of all efforts to manage the impact of climate change on the organization. Aside from the manpower needed to pursue these efforts, the utmost support and cooperation of all personnel particularly at Fort Magsaysay is paramount. Furthermore, aside from technical knowhow, climate change planning and advocacy requires immense level of passion and commitment hence the need for careful selection of champions and focal persons. Sustainable financing is also critical to ensure the continuity of programs, activities and projects. Logistical and/or materiel resources as well as facilities are necessary to ensure sustainability of climate change management initiatives.

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[i] https://climateaccess.org/system/files/Climate%20Communications%20and%20Behavior%20Change.pdf

Social Marketing Research and the Military

In 1951, Dr. G.D. Wiebe, a research psychologist asked: “Why can’t you sell brotherhood and rational thinking like you can sell soap?”. This seemingly innocent yet provocative question triggered controversy in the commercial marketing world. Marketing professionals claimed that a concept such a “brotherhood” cannot be marketed unlike a tangible product. Yet world renowned marketing gurus Koetler, Levy, Zaltman and others thought otherwise and must have in stead said: “Why not?”. The controversial idea hence gave birth to what is now known as Social Marketing- a hybrid of social science and commercial marketing.[i]

Koetler and Zalman coined the term Social Marketing in 1971 which refers to marketing practices in pursuit of social rather than monetary gains. It applies marketing principles and techniques to influence the target audience to voluntarily accept, reject, modify, or abandon a behavior for the benefit of individuals, groups, organizations, or society as a whole.[ii] It aims to bring about positive change in the target audience by applying relevant marketing tools such as market research, segmentation and differentiation, Marketing Mix (Product, Price, Place, Promotion (4P’s), etc., to solve various issues such as health and sanitation, environment, peace and security, gender equality, among others. The marketing tools applied by social marketers are not that different from the ones used by their counterparts in the commercial sector: both are aimed at bringing about behavioral change in the target audience.

It is quite understandable for readers to easily confuse themselves on the difference between social and commercial marketing precisely because of the word MARKETING. Marketing, as defined by the American Marketing Association (AMA), refers to activities, set of institutions and processes for creating, communicating, delivering and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners and society at large. However, people often relate it with “flowery” words to promote a particular product among consumers. This is why marketing is often shunned by many because of the “subtle” deception that comes with it. On the other hand, social marketing can be easily misconstrued these days as marketing using the social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, etc.) as platform. I initially thought that social marketing solely refers to selling products through the internet. Social marketing nowadays has been increasingly reliant on social media platforms to promote various advocacies. Many volunteer organizations, NGOs, civil society and people’s organizations have found remarkable success in their respective endeavors by capitalizing on the power of this innovation.

The contrasts between social and commercial marketing can be summed up according to its output, outcome and impact to consumers/customers or target audience. Commercial marketers peg the success of their marketing campaign on tangible outputs like volume of sales, brand popularity, market share, product reach and other measurable parameters. On the other hand, social marketers are concerned with how the outcome of their programs will improve individual lives and uplift societal conditions. The goal of social marketers can be said to be more noble in nature than that of their friends from the commercial side.

Depending on whom you are talking to, social and commercial marketing can be both easy and difficult but many practitioners point to the former as the more difficult field than the latter. After all, selling a desired behavior- an intangible product is not as easy as selling something that can be seen and felt.  Social marketing is about delivering social gain. It focuses on reaching the target audience, influencing their behaviors and satisfying the needs of the society as a whole- the social good. On the other hand, commercial marketing is about earning profit- the financial good, by satisfying individual customers through physical products or services. However, there is no doubt that both disciplines are customer-focused and needs all available and relevant marketing tools to attain their objectives. Likewise, the results in both fields are monitored, measured and evaluated to serve as basis for future performance improvements.

Social Marketing, being a controversial idea initially struggled to make it big in Western countries like the US and the UK. In fact, the idea was first widely used far from where it was conceived- in India, where it was adopted to implement a family planning program. However, once it was able to break free, its potential began to be discovered by many. Sally Dibb in her article “Up, up and away: Social Marketing Breaks Free”, said that social marketing ideas can be applied to a vast array of problems, to various groups of people and at different levels and scopes. It could be applied to individuals, groups, communities, villages, and even at the national and global arena. Social marketing is most visible in campaigns to promote gender and development, smoke-free public places, drug and alcohol-free communities, breastfeeding, women empowerment and many others. It can be utilized to influence policy-makers to legislate laws that promote overall social welfare and well-being, or influence people’s behavior on contemporary social issues like open defecation, garbage disposal, responsible voting, sexual health, etc.

Social Marketing is practiced mostly by government units and agencies to effect the desired change in behavior among their constituents. Sectoral, non-profit and development organizations have also adopted this field to create positive social change. Local Government Units for example may use social marketing to change the perception of its residents on reproductive health. The Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation (YBH), an NGO on the other hand, conducts advocacy campaigns to influence people’s attitude towards education.

Meanwhile, Social Marketing Research (SMR) refers to the study or investigation of the behavior, needs, attitudes, opinions, motivations or other characteristics of individuals, a particular sector of a community, or of an entire population to identify pertinent issues and concerns that could influence or support the decision-making process of service providers. Essentially, SMR gives credence to the decisions and actions made by these entities by making available relevant empirical data. Like other research fields, it usually begins by identifying the goals and objectives of the study. The researcher/s (either an individual or a research group) must have a good grasp of the client’ mission, vision and core values. They must be cognizant of the overall intent of their client to guide them throughout the process. They must be able to establish the goals and objectives of the study to ensure that they are on the right track; and identify the specific information needed to achieve the desired objectives. SMR likewise includes designing the overall research methodology including its framework, data collection process, and data analysis, and must be able to recognize its limitations, and its implications to the organization. Furthermore, it must have a means to effectively communicate its findings.[iii]

On Behavioral Change

According to the International Evaluation Group (IEG), behavior refers to the outward manifestation of an individual’s response- an action or change in action, to a situation. Quoting Kahneman, IEG said that response emanates from an individual’s automatic or deliberate decision-making process. On the other hand, behavior change, also called desired outcomes, are observable changes such as maintenance, improvement/enhancement, and increase or decrease in specific behaviors targeted or supported by behavior change activities. In the context of international development, these outcomes are individual’s behavioral responses to specific interventions such as the provision of information and incentives or other behavioral design elements. These interventions are referred to as behavior change activities and focus on affecting or shaping individual decisions and decision-making process.

What is the relevance of behavioral change in development management? Again, IEG said that to effectively deliver sustained services, service providers must overcome not only constraints in hard resources but also limitations in psychological resources. The latter refers to people’s mental capabilities that allow them to reach their full potential considering the different political, economic, social, cultural and other factors in the external environment. These factors shape people’s behavior- they often determine how people would behave under certain circumstances. For example, in the Philippines, people from the countryside are more concerned about their public behavior such as the public display of affection, compared to those who live in the metropolis like Makati. On the other hand, those who grew up in urban areas are more conscious about how they look, or how they dress up as compared to those who hail from the provinces. The perception of social acceptance varies from place to place, from ethnic group to ethnic group, and from community to community. Some tribes value honor and pride than others. While some put more premium on their live stocks and lands than the education of their children. This kind of diversity makes the delivery of social services such as WASH (water, health, sanitation and hygiene) more complicated and challenging than it seems.

A development manager must understand that development interventions cannot be implemented at random without understanding the community and the individuals that make it. People behave or react differently when subjected to or provided with programs or interventions. For example, encouraging people to avoid open defecation by building toilets for them could be positive for some, but can be misconstrued by others as interfering with their way of living. Sometimes, tailor-fitting or customizing programs to suit the needs of the people or certain sectors of the community brings out better results. As such, development managers must strive to understand the dynamics in the target community as part of their planning process. A thorough stakeholder analysis must be complemented by an equally comprehensive needs analysis and assessment to correctly determine what is or are needed by whom, and why.

Social Marketing Research and Behavioral Change in the Military

Social Marketing and Behavior Change are both familiar disciplines in the Philippine defense and military sectors especially the Philippine Army (PA) although there might be some variations in its practice and application. The Civil- Military Operations (CMO) which is comprised of Information Support Affairs, Civil Affairs and Public Affairs, is the closest field there is when we talk about social marketing and behavior change. CMO are planned activities undertaken independently or in coordination with civilian entities to support the accomplishment of the PA mission. Its primary goal is to gain popular support and weaken the enemy’s will to fight. CMO is a vital component of PA’ operations along with Combat Operations and Intelligence. It is characterized by activities that influence the beliefs, emotions, behaviors, attitudes, and opinions of intended audiences to facilitate military operations. It establishes and maintains good relations between and among military forces and establishments, government and non-government civil authorities, and the populace or stakeholders. The Civil Affairs pillar in particular, are operations planned, supported and executed to promote public trust through cooperation, collaboration and conduct of sociological and developmental activities in order to gain popular support. It consists of activities designed to win the hearts and minds of the people; gain their willing cooperation, support and confidence; and induce their active participation in the attainment of national objectives and goals.

The Armed Force of the Philippines (AFP) Internal Peace and Security Operations Plan relies heavily on the correct employment of CMO to facilitate the participation of all stakeholders in the quest for long-lasting peace and sustainable development in what is called the ‘whole-of-nation” approach. It is hinged on the Filipino tradition of “Bayanihan” or helping each other. To encourage the active support and involvement of all stakeholders, the AFP and the entire government must be able to understand the behaviors, attitudes, perceptions and beliefs of all sectors of the Philippine society towards peace and development, and all underlying issues that prevent the country from attaining it. Due to the country’s diversity, a “one-size-fits-all” solution doesn’t simply work to hammer out peace and usher in development. A comprehensive study- a social marketing research is needed to understand the people’s goals and aspirations vis-à-vis their apprehensions concerning peace, security and development. Many programs and interventions in the past fizzled out because they failed to factor in the different socio-political and socio-economic impacts on the target beneficiaries and communities. Most of these interventions were directed only at symptoms and not the root causes of the problems. They targeted only what was visible and failed to unearth the essential ones. They addressed only the observable manifestations of behavior and overlooked what is underneath. As a result, the problem continues to follow a vicious cycle. The government and the military ought to learn how to address issue using behavioral change lens- in a more dynamic, inclusive, consistent and sustainable manner.

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[i] http://samucommunications.com/why-cant-you-sell-brotherhood-and-rational-thinking-like-you-can-sell-soap/

[ii] The Future of Social Marketing by Olivier Serrat. https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/27593/future-social-marketing.pdf

[iii] https://www.amsrs.com.au/about/definition-of-market-and-social-research

Climate Change and the Philippine Army (Part 2)

In 2013, a US Department of Defense (DoD) concluded that “the effects of climate change will adversely impact military readiness and natural and built infrastructure unless these risks are considered in decisions”. It said that planning, design, and operations of military facilities must consider future climate conditions. It should also be factored in making strategic infrastructure decisions across military services. The country’s vulnerability to the effects of climate change, and the geographical disposition and location of PA’s vital installations highlights the need for similar studies to be conducted, and for immediate actions to be undertaken. However, the PA has yet to consciously develop sustainable and environment- friendly installations and facilities, and build and operate camps that has a sustainable waste management system, efficient and effective energy management system and a system to manage its vital resources like water and forest reserves.

Climate change poses serious security risks to critical military installation of the PA. It threatens the mission, resources and capabilities of the installation as well as the operations, readiness, and strategies of its tenant units. The mandates, tasks and functions of the forces that the installation hosts, especially the combat and combat support or sustainment units are vulnerable to its effects.

Climate change has significantly altered the way military operations and warfighting as a whole is being conducted, hence, the need for an immediate review, revalidation or revision of doctrines to fully- integrate the role of military installations in operations. The increasing frequency of climate change-induced disasters requires PA’s more vigorous participation in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) Operations thus underscoring the need to have a thorough look into its doctrine on the proper employment, deployment, safety and security of its assets for HADR. Climate change affects the quality of trainings received by individual soldiers and units, as well as the actual operations of tenant units which subsequently affects overall mission accomplishment. It also highlights the need for more effective supply management system to manage the risk of spoilage, loss, destruction, damage and wear and tear of equipment, as well as the associated increase in the Life Cycle Cost of equipment. Climate change-induced disasters compromise the security of strategic assets inside installations which has long-lasting impacts on the organization’s strategy and national security. Cost and availability hinders the immediate re-acquisition and rebuilding of these assets. The PA will have to invest huge resources on robust equipment that can withstand adverse weather conditions, as well as for the construction of climate-resilient infrastructures and facilities including storage and/or warehousing facilities.

Climate change compels the PA leadership to implement measures to secure its assets such as personnel, equipment and facilities against disasters, and prods them to develop and implement effective ways to preserve and protect the environment. It affects the decision-making ability and morale of combat leaders especially those who are exposed to adverse weather conditions. However, its effects are more significantly felt by soldiers whose health, morale and welfare put on the line every time extreme weather events occur.

Installations are heavily dependent on civilian utilities and infrastructures which puts them in jeopardy whenever extreme weather events occur. When resources such as water and energy are compromised, other installation assets are affected as much. Prolonged dry spells induce water scarcity which causes the deterioration of living conditions, and creates stress and tension among personnel. Power outages demoralize households and compromises daily operational activities.

Nonetheless, the environmental awareness and consciousness of the military has also increased due to the increase in climate change awareness. Military activities particularly training and operations disturb and damage the natural ecosystem. Ammunition and explosives residue contaminate soil and water bodies. Noise generated during training triggers stress in humans and animals alike. Massive use of heavy equipment and vehicles causes soil erosion and enormous carbon emission to the environment. Solid wastes and chemical residues produced or emitted during these activities pollute the environment.

The PA remains, and will continue to be vulnerable to the different security risks posed by the effects of climate change. Hence, it needs to immediately assess the impact of climate change, and manage the security risks it poses to the organization. Current efforts and interventions, and environmental protection and preservation initiatives such tree-planting/growing, clean and green, implementation of “Carless Day”, closing down and banning open pit dumping and burning, installation of solar lamps, and implementation of Solid Waste Management System and establishment of Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) must be enhanced and sustained.

The PA may look at the feasibility of implementing a Net Zero Program to manage its utilization of water and energy, as well as the disposal of its wastes. Perennial water shortage prompts the organization to develop alternative sources of water and innovative water-generating technologies for its installations. Water conservation measures and efficient water use must be implemented in all tenant units and households. Water re-use and recycling in offices and households shall be promoted. The organization must also study, design, develop and implement rainwater harvesting system, and plan for a suitable wastewater treatment facility inside its bases. It needs to conduct relevant studies and develop strategic approaches to manage its energy usage in all military installations, and implement viable energy conservation measures such as replacing old lighting fixtures with modern, energy efficient ones. Old “electricity-hungry” equipment must be replaced gradually, while installation of solar lamps and other proven energy saving systems inside camps must be pursued. The feasibility of establishing a solar energy plants inside military reservation areas must be considered.

Absolute ban on non-environment compliant public transport system inside camps such as jeepneys and tricycles must be implemented. To reduce carbon emission, old military vehicles must be gradually phased out, while use of electricity-powered vehicles inside camps should be promoted. Efficient transport system to minimize trip generation should be designed and implemented. Anti-smoke belching campaign must be seriously implemented, while non-motorized transportation such as cycling and walking should be encouraged and incentivized. The installation’s power infrastructure designs should be improved by using climate change resilient materials. Transmission lines may be reinforced, re-directed or redesigned to reduce energy loss and decrease chances of being damaged during disasters. Moreover, the PA shall develop and implement formal asset management approaches that incorporate effects of climate change and other environmental factors.

The implementation of the Solid Waste Management System must be sustained in collaboration with the local government unit. Special hospital MRFs must be put up and secured to avoid hospital wastes and other hazardous materials from leaking into the open environment. Appropriate Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with suppliers for the collection and disposal of hospital wastes and other heavy pollutants shall be pursued to compel suppliers and contractors to be responsible for collection and/or recovery of waste materials and residues of the products that they sell to the PA.

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[i] With excerpts from the author’s MRR: A Strategy to Manage the Climate Security Risks of Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation

NEGOTIATION 105

So far, I have learned that negotiations are not always a walk in the park, and it is not for the faint-hearted.

In Luna Pen, I learned how difficult it is to negotiate with another party especially when you are miles apart and not negotiating physically, belong to different cultures, have a wide age gap, different organizational positions, and of different genders. Culture plays significant role in the entire negotiation process, and therefore on the outcome itself. It is not enough that you know what your BATNA or WATNA is. It is equally important to know how you play it from the beginning to end. Both your strategy and tactic will be observed, countered, and worse, may be even used against you. Knowing who the other side of the table is and WHAT he represents is vital.

Multi-party negotiation is nth times messier and more complicated than a bilateral negotiation. Its complexity rises exponentially as the number of parties involved increases. Each one of them brings their own position and interests and they can kill you with a thousand and one combinations of options available to them. If you are to enter or manage a multilateral negotiation, you have to be prepared to deal with each negotiator’s real positions and interests, not to mention their idiosyncrasies. Finding out who is aligned with whom, who is at odds with whom, who is the naysayer and who is out there to kill whatever deal is hammered out is more challenging than it appears to be. Those who seem to be on the same page as you all throughout may turn out to be the guy who will sell you out in the end.

Coordination is crucial in multi-party negotiations because of the numerous layers of opinions and interests on the table. The first challenge at hand is finding a common time and place to negotiate. The timing and venue of multilateral negotiations could have significant implications to many especially when building alliances or coalitions is the name of the game. Also, establishing the process including the necessary protocols is a huge challenge. It may take months or even years to develop an acceptable framework of negotiation alone because it can make or break the entire negotiation process. A negotiation cannot successfully proceed without a tangible, clear and concrete framework.

It is not enough that you know who you are negotiating with because “what is important may be invisible to the eye”. A more thorough stakeholder analysis is a must to learn the interests, views and positions of the other parties. A link analysis may also be useful to determine the polarities of the parties involved. Sometimes it is not always the official but the personal and human touch that spells the success of a negotiation (remember the story of how Manila became the ADB’s HQ? Sensing is critical because the best technical solutions may not always be politically acceptable. On the other hand, political solutions may not always work out so learn how to crunch the numbers especially during crunch time.

It is always desired that you walk out of a negotiation with a genuine smile. You may not have achieved your optimum goal but you shouldn’t miss the opportunity of brokering new relationships and strengthening existing ones.

NEGOTIATION 104

In essence, the Luna Pen case was another eye opener for me not just on my negotiation skills but on how I look at negotiation as a whole. It also revealed my own lack of understanding on culture and gender, and its role in negotiations.

The Luna Case taught me that strategy without tactics is lame, and tactics without strategy is blind. Both cannot exist without the other. Seasoned negotiators always think big. They think of strategy, miles before reaching the negotiating table. Being across the table itself is already part of strategy. Should he negotiate or not? Should he defer it, push for it, or kill it altogether? Strategy tells the negotiator when to push or pull, exert pressure or slacken a bit, wait and see or rush ahead. It tells him which among his tricks should he use to get the deal he wants.

But seasoned negotiators know too well that he cannot survive with strategy alone. Knowing the game rules is different from actually playing it. He needs to know how to do the moves. He needs to know when and how to draw the sword, and when and how to sheath it without hurting himself or the other party unnecessarily. Tactics matter, and it matters a lot. Tactics means knowing what is in your arsenal of options and weapons, and knowing when to unpack and unleash them. The negotiator is always on the look-out for the right timing because drawing too soon may forewarn the other side and allow for an easy counterattack. Drawing too late may let the other party run circles around him. Negotiation is about thrusting, and parrying attacks without losing sight of the objective. As I have observed, it is quite easy to get lost amidst the clinks and clanks of offers and counter offers, and miss the whole point. Be in a careful hurry.

One’s choice of tactics is often dictated or influenced by culture that is why it should never be taken out of the equation. Who are you dealing with? Where does he come from? What is his affiliation, politically, religiously, ideologically? What values does he espouse? One or two, or a combination of these things can spell out the outcome of the negotiation. It can shape how the whole process is going to take place and end up. How your thrusts and parries are judged significantly depends on the culture of the guy at the other end, and you better know how he will respond.

What does a negotiator do when he is caught in the middle of a chaotic negotiation process, or when he is caught in an endless loop? He stops, briefly, and goes to the balcony. He pauses for a while and lets his sensing abilities take over. He detaches himself from the melee for a moment and looks at it from the top, from another perspective, to see what angles or approaches can be pursued? When the position is unassailable, does he keep on assailing it? When his position is untenable, does he keep defending it? When his interests are compromised, what options does he look into? How fast can he generate another option? How will he choose which option to pursue? All of these are quickly processed inside his mind and before he goes down from the balcony, he is ready for his next move.

NEGOTIATION 103

I have always thought that being a talent manager is such an intriguing and exciting job. You are around the most popular stars and you get to interact with them all the time. And the best part is, that you get to speak on their behalf which means you play an important part in their lives.

However, after representing Susanah, I felt like being a talent manager is a really tough job after all. You got to have the guts to shoot for the stars without sounding or looking so eager. You have got to ask for heaven without directly saying so. You have got to look down on your toes without losing your track and focus on your goal. And you have got to keep your ambitions high (for your star and yourself) without being arrogant. It is such a complicated job which involves more than just ordinary people skills but something that requires a combination of analytical, financial and technical competencies. How do you maintain a nice reassuring smile in front of the people you are dealing with even if they are offering such a cheap bargain? How do you tell them subtly that you are displeased with the offer without annoying them? How do you establish your position and communicate your interests without revealing too much about what your client wants?

Being a talent agent [for a moment] taught me a lot of things about negotiation. First is to know who you are representing. What are his or her strengths and weaknesses? What leverage can you use on her behalf? What can the opposite side (and other interest groups) use against him or her? Second is to know the audience- the people on the opposite corner. Knowing the audience means knowing their position and interests, and analyzing the options available to them. In the case of APCC, the position and interest of the head was unknown, and it would take a lot of probing into his agent or representative to bring this to fold. If we do not have a means of getting to know him, then we should be able to find out as much information as we can from his representative. His words and deeds might reveal something about who he is representing so it is important to carefully listen to subtle hints. In my case, I always try to calculate the person opposite me first by gauging his handshake because it often reveals how warm or engaging (soft) he is, or how firm and difficult (hard) he would be.

Third, it is important to determine what outcome we want to derive out of the negotiation- based on the intent of our client and the firm we belong to. Coming to the negotiating table with the representative of APCC, I felt my preparation was not solid enough and I did not know what exactly I wanted for my client other than landing the role and getting paid with whatever amount. This should never happen in “real life” negotiations where it is critical to know what your mission is because it will tell you when to “assault” or when to “retreat and reorganize” and fight another day. Knowing when to pause and assess the process gives you the opportunity to determine whether you are playing it fairly and squarely, and whether you are taking advantage or being taken advantage of by the other party.

While bagging a handsome deal is the immediate goal, it is also important to remember that the whole process is actually an exercise on relationship-building. The process and outcome of the negotiation determines whether you will be able to build a relationship and develop partnership, or nip it right away. The kind of impression that we give to other party during the meeting will somehow determine whether it will be the last or the first of many engagements in the future. First impression matters more often than not. We must remember that we are dealing with human beings and not just representatives of the other party. Human as we are, we will always have our biases even before going to bargaining table, hence, it is important to project a positive unassuming personality. We must learn how to separate the person from the issue or problem at hand. On the other hand, we should also remember that at the end of the day, we are accountable to our client, to our firm and to ourselves.

Lastly, listening and observing is crucial in a negotiation. As we negotiate, we should never get drowned in the volume of our own words. The best negotiator must be a detective- an intelligence operative who remembers what he hears and sees, and uses it at the precise moment. We can maximize learning from the other party just by listening to them. They may even unknowingly share with you their own negotiation techniques which will come handy in the future.

NEGOTIATION 102

Being Nice
Negotiations need not be antagonistic. Being serious about what you came for does not mean negotiators cannot be nice to each other. If culture allows it, always offer a smile, and a warm and firm handshake. Thanking each other is a must.

Being Patient

Another hard lesson I learned from negotiating a deal was on patience. As I was dealing with a more elderly person, I had to be very patient in listening to his voice which was barely audible and comprehensible. Waiting for him to make up his mind and close the transaction also required a great deal of patience which I dearly lacked. I knew that if showed I was in such a hurry to sign him up, I would look very interested and possibly kill the deal or pay a higher price. I also learned to never say “YES” to the first offer because doing so might make him conclude that he have already pushed me to my limit.

What You Want vs What They Want

Before sitting on the negotiating table, a negotiator must be clear with what he wants to get out of the “possible” deal. He must be specific with the outcome of the transaction even before the first punch is thrown. If possible, he must write this down or memorize the sequence of how he is going to throw his punches and counter punches. Failure to visualize the outcome may end up badly for a negotiator who will be left wandering how the other party was able to outsmart or outmaneuver him. Reading between the lines will also help a negotiator in knowing what the other party wants aside from what was laid down on the table. Verbal and non-verbal cues must also be watched for because these might give away his position.

When to cut loose vs when to stick to it

When the other party offered a price, I was almost tempted to immediately grab it, forgetting that I had a specific price in mind. Good thing I remembered my fallback position- the figure at which I will have to say NO and walk away. I realized that in any negotiation, I should be constantly aware of the limit or bottom line figure that I am willing to accept. I must be clear with my own NO DEAL situation. I also need to know how many bones I am willing to break if only to make the other party feel comfortable and make concessions with me. Whatever I am willing to give up getting a concession must be clear to me but I must make sure that it is worth it.

Win-Win vs Win-Loose

It will always feel good to walk out of a deal knowing that both parties are happy. If attaining a win-win deal is possible, a negotiator must go for it. If not, then go for what is most beneficial to you or your organization. Never sacrifice your own just to make the other side happy or to please the other negotiator at the expense of your side. A negotiator must look for gaps that need to be filled in by both sides. Consulting the other side is always a good technique. Workable compromises must be identified and must be really worked out. Flexibilities must be explored. Know which ones can be compromised and which ones cannot from your organization’s perspective, and from you own.

A negotiator must never underestimate the other party, AND HIMSELF. Just because the other party looks old or young, you will underestimate him or her. This might all be ploys to canalize your decisions on their favor. Never look down on yourself too but never feel superior as well. Maintain confidence but not to the point of being arrogant and condescending. It turns other negotiators off. Worse, you might actually fall into their trap and go home broken.

Deals must always be documented especially the outcome. Mutual trust is important but it is not an excuse for foregoing documentation. When push comes to shove, you will always have your papers to back you up. And don’t forget to have it signed.

NEGOTIATION 101

NEGOTIATION is not for the faint-hearted. Anybody who wants to negotiate must come to the table prepared- physically, mentally and emotionally. Preparation is the key, that is why homework was invented. In the military, it is called “Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield”. A negotiator must know when and how to push it or hold back, to win some and lose some, to give in and strike back. While the ideal is to find a way for both parties to find a “win-win” solution, he must also be prepared to deal with the loses and how to cut it. A great general knows when to use his reserves and the aces in his sleeves. When one prays for the rain, he must be prepared to deal with mud too. 

The exercise began on a good note with each “competing” group excited about outwitting each other to gain a favorable contract. It started with strategizing as groups (representing the two opposing countries) established their respective objectives. Was it about kicking the other water company out of business, or was it about forging a solid and mutually beneficial relationship “against” the client country? Both sides tried to play it nice and easy during the first round. Everyone was sensing what the position of the other side would be. They were both trying to figure how the other side thinks, decides and moves. When the die was cast, both sides discover that their expectations are so much different from reality. They both wanted to play it nice but ironically, both of them also felt that the other side will not. They tried to reach an agreement through informal talks hosted by a non-actor. Everyone was hopeful the other would honor the result of the talks but alas, one of them reneged with the agreement- to the dismay of the other. When shots are fired, and blood is drawn, there is usually no turning back. Both parties wanted to give silver for a gold which turned the negotiation into a brawl. The other side was out for the blood of the other and soon enough, they were on each other’s throat until someone had the guts to say “stop, look, listen, talk”. The game ended with an air of bitterness. It was supposed to be “trabaho lang, walang personalan”- focus on the issue and not on the individual. One was disappointed that trust was broken instantaneously. Why can’t they play nice? The other was equally disheartened. Why can’t they lose with grace? When negotiations collapse, who is there to blame? Was it the winner- a no-nonsense player who would do everything for their country’s survival but at the expense of the other? Was it the loser who was trying to play nicely to forge an “unlikely partnership” but naive to the other side’s intentions? Was it the water consumer who seemed to have played the two countries, knowing the long-standing bitterness and animosity between them? What benefit would it bring the consumer if the two suppliers played it rough against each other?

The exercise brought into light the importance of a third party in the negotiation (in this case another country other than the three actors). Hosting negotiators of opposing sides in one’s turf is not an easy task. Aside from the strain it puts on a country’s resources, it also puts its reputation on the line, and puts its own citizens at risk. Opposing parties are sometimes extremely hostile to each other. Hosting them both might bring hostilities in one’s territory. Third parties must have the credibility, tenacity and wherewithal to endure long, tedious, arduous, controversial and complicated negotiations. Back channel talks are important. This is where emissaries- trusted people of both sides come into play. They either bring home good news or carry with them bad ones but they are instrumental in brokering important deals. [In my case, it is our daughter who does track 2 negotiations when I am in trouble with my wife. And she is good at it.]

Negotiations are often misunderstood by many (including me) hence the following questions: What does it take to successfully negotiate with an opposing party? Is negotiation needed with a neutral camp? What are the consequences of failed negotiations aside from the obvious (disappointment, possible hostilities/animosity)? What is the next step after a failed negotiation? To what extent should we pursue negotiation with, say, an extremely aggressive party? When do we stop and say enough?

Climate Change and the Philippine Army

LET’S FACE IT! Climate Change is real, and it is here to stay unless we stop it. It is irreversible, and it is yet to show any signs of slowing down. Its effects have claimed lives by the thousands and damaged properties by the billions. It is bound to affect all of mankind regardless of where we live or what we do. It is real, and it is scarier than we think.

Climate Change: What do we know?
Climate change refers to significant changes in global temperature, precipitation, wind patterns and other measures of climate that occur over several decades or longer. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) says that climate change is one of the most fundamental challenges ever to confront humanity. According to Conservation International, the 2016 Carbon Dioxide concentration in our atmosphere was 400 parts per million- the highest ever recorded in millions of years. It was also the warmest year with surface temperature of 0.99 degrees Celsius- higher than mid- 20th century averages. Global temperature has risen, NASA claims. The oceans are warming, the ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctic are shrinking, and the sea level has risen about 8 inches in the last century. If this trend continues, which part of the earth will remain?

At present, about 800 million people or 11% of the world’s population are living in areas vulnerable to climate change impacts such as droughts, floods and extreme weather events and sea level rise. German Watch’s Global Climate Risk Index 2015 identified the Philippines as the country most affected by climate change impact in 2013. It was hit by five of the ten deadliest typhoons in the last ten years. The 2013 Super Typhoon “Yolanda”, the strongest ever recorded typhoon in the history of mankind, killed about 6,300 Filipinos and displaced over 4 million others in only a few hours.

Poverty, Climate Change and SecurityAccording to the study “Poverty and Climate Change Reducing the Vulnerability of the Poor Through Adaptation”, poor communities are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. It affects access to drinking water, health, and food security in many countries including those in Asia. Disasters drive people to hunger, health problems and poverty due to loss of or lack of jobs and livelihoods. Poverty and illness are often cited as among the root causes of insurgency. People tend to pin the blame on the government for failing to do something about their situation. This is the reason why communities heavily affected by insurgency are those in disaster-prone areas. Disasters give rise to civil unrest and armed conflict which the military will have to address. This drives the military’s need to invest on capabilities that both address internal security operations, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR). This is a major tradeoff for an organization that is perennially constrained in terms of resources. While it needs to develop strategic capabilities to defend the country against external threats, it is tied down with internal security problems, and must engage in disaster response as well.

Impact on, and Responses of the Philippine Army
As one of the active components of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), the Department of National Defense (DND) has long recognized the key role the military plays in times of disasters. Its military arm, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) along with its major services are tasked to establish communication linkages, provide security coverage, assist in the reconstruction of damaged structures, provide transportation facilities for the rapid movement of relief, supplies and personnel and for evacuation of disaster victims, and to organize reaction teams when disasters strike. HADR is now considered as one of DND’s security concerns or Mission Areas along with Territorial Defense, Security and Stability.

How capable is the AFP to respond to the impacts of climate change? How is it affected, and how does it prepare itself to mitigate the effects of climate change? How does it affect the way the organization performs its mandate? What measures are being undertaken to make it more responsive in addressing the impacts of this phenomenon to the Filipinos?

Dr. Wu Shang-su of the The Diplomat observed that Typhoon Haiyan exposed the AFP’s insufficient capacity in addressing or responding to HADR. He said that responding to disasters and calamities in the Philippines is likened to an armed conflict with a foreign country considering its geographical location and the number of typhoons experienced by the country each year.

“…despite the AFP’s extensive experience in responding to frequent earthquakes and typhoons, its lack of capacity for airlift and sea transport limits its humanitarian capabilities in the archipelagic environment…[it] is unlikely to be able to deliver satisfactory quantities of materials and other aid to one or more affected areas…”

Andrew Jacobs of the New York Times echoed the same:

“…as American cargo planes and military helicopters zipped across the sky above this decimated city, ferrying badly needed supplies to typhoon survivors, Philippine soldiers were working with what little they had — relying on motorcycles and boats to ferry messages between the army’s provincial headquarters and stricken municipalities… some of them more than a hundred miles away.”
These kinds of observations drive the organization’s need to improve its HADR capabilities alongside efforts to modernize its capabilities for territorial defense. For its part, the Philippine Army is currently revisiting its fundamental Doctrines to incorporate HADR as one of its core competencies. The newly created Philippine Army Operating Concept identifies HADR as one of it Enabling Competencies- central and foundational abilities inherent in all Army operations. Training curriculums are continuously being developed, and trainings are being conducted to improve the organization’s capability to support the national and local government’s HADR efforts.

It is also redesigning its Organization to make it more responsive to the country’s HADR needs specifically by organizing and capacitating a National HADR unit- an engineer battalion dedicated solely for HADR Operations. Likewise, all major units across the country have dedicated active and reserve units to act as first responders in times of disasters. They are in constant communication and coordination with local government units for training and capability development.

Likewise, it has also invested in major Equipment such as mobility, and command and control, communications and computer systems to further improve its ability to respond to crisis. Facilities such as Mobile Command Centers are also being developed along with Battlefield Management Systems to aide commanders in their decision-making during crisis.

On top of these initiatives, it has been engaging with its traditional allies and partners in the Asia-Pacific Region to boost disaster response capabilities. Subject Matter Expert Exchanges are being regularly held to share valuable experiences and develop capabilities jointly.

Effects on Soldiers
While the military is heavily engaged in HADR, it is also prone to the devastating effects of climate change. Its primary resource- the soldiers, are among the most vulnerable sectors when disasters strike. They often find themselves assuming the role of first responders while awaiting the arrival of appropriate disaster response agencies. They are often the first ones to arrive in disaster-stricken areas and often become victims themselves. Through the years, many soldiers have lost their lives and equipment while responding to disaster victims. Lieutenant Colonel Carangan was thankful he survived his ordeal during Typhoon Yolanda but many others weren’t as lucky. There were also some who lost their families while they, the soldiers, were saving others somewhere.

Long- term Challenges
Unfortunately, climate change advocacy is still a relatively unpopular discourse in the AFP. Awareness is yet to be incorporated in most trainings and even in daily operations. Large scale combat operations such as that of Marawi utilized some of the biggest military armaments – land, sea and air assets, that contributed enormous quantities of carbon emission. Massive amounts of gunpowder residues were left in the air contributing to environmental pollution, not to mention the noise that it created.

Internally, the organization’s budget is yet to incorporate significant resources dedicated to sustainability and climate change resistance. It has yet to develop sustainable and environment friendly bases and facilities. It has yet to establish and operate camps that consciously reduce energy, water, and paper consumption, or initiate the conduct of any research or studies to determine the short and long- term impacts of climate change to the organization.

Climate change is real. Hence, the AFP’s response should also be real. It is time we gather our acts togethers, and walk the talk before it is too late.