Our economic waterloo and myths of surveys

The Philippines since time immemorial has shown its vulnerability and subservience to the variations and fluctuations in the price of oil products. Our submissiveness to the price

movements of this major component of our local goods is holding us literally hostage to the extent that whatever market movement it creates, we have no other recourse but to tag along like a wimp. These actuations could have been borne-out by the lack of alternative sources of fuel that will augment our production and economic “activism” to keep us afloat in the world of market competition.

According to the report conducted by Index Mundi, the Philippines ranks as the 41st country among 206 countries with the biggest consumption of oil, aptly belonging to the first 20 percent of world’s biggest users of oil, at approximately 307,200 barrels per day (bbl/day) with the US at number 1 with more than 18 Million bbl/day. The reality stares right on our faces that at this point in our economic time, we have to look for alternative sources of fuel that will complement our need for energy utilization. With the current tension that has constantly plagued that area of oil producing countries in the Middle East, we can expect the continuing volatility in the price of oil products which affects countries like the Philippines that heavily rely on oil and its by-products. Since 1980, the crude oil local consumption has steadily increased without let-up which illustrates our vulnerability to this resource. From a low of around 180,000 bbl/day in 1985 to a high of around 390,000 bbl/day in 1998, the increase is a proof of our inability to employ alternative source of fuel product. Although, the country has been gaining headway in oil exploration plans, it will take a lot of time, local energy and resources before we can finally come up with a premium grade product appropriate for our local needs. These could have been fast-tracked had we been left undisturbed to exercise our inalienable and sovereign rights over those parts of the Spratlys that belong to our Palawan province. But a certain neighboring country which is a global power may succeed in wresting that Philippine territory from us.

Surveys and media creations

Surveys conducted by research institutions have undoubtedly created a certain kind of reputation that what they have delved into is “gospel truth.” It tries to put into “proper perspective” what they think are issues that capture the imagination of the people. But in truth and in fact, the results of their studies though empirical in nature seem to have questionable empiricism as far as sampling procedures are concerned.

We have to be aware of the fact that results of any survey may depend on how questions are formulated. Most of the time, it is devised on how they want the result or outcome should be.

There are leading and misleading queries that will be responded to on how you would want it to be and how you want it interpreted in accordance to the desired results. As a result of such whims, those whose opinions are on the borderline may be swayed by wrong or misleading information created by capricious survey conducted to suit some personal interests.

Tastes and preferences of the people can be manipulated and vary according to how it is influenced by the most influential medium available and that is the media. Mass media can make or break almost anything and everything. They can create an icon out of nowhere or destroy an icon and send it to oblivion. There are members of the media who despite a number of obvious reasons to convince them, simply refuse to accept the realities of “what it is” but choose to attach themselves to “what should be.” But there are of course reasonable members of the press who still make decisions based on reason, because reason defines a true man of the press. Reasonable men of the press always prevail in the battle of truth and reason and they owe it to the people to expose the realities of what the truth is all about.

Surveys at some point influence people no matter what and who manipulates it. All surveys claim that theirs are empirically done; but who cares about the degree of empiricism, for after all people really don’t know what the essence of empiricism to a survey is all about, because results of which are accepted unequivocally if it rhymes with their beliefs and ideologies.

Surveys entail costs and that is why it is hard to believe that surveying companies will conduct one without being commissioned, subsidized or paid by someone. As such, results of these surveys are tailored fit to the needs of the sponsoring person or company. Otherwise the survey organization will incur the ire of the sponsoring institution or individual. Business is primarily put up for profit purposes and meant to please the buyers. Therefore survey companies are businesses… need I say more?

In this time of the Lenten Season may we strive to search for the Truth because Truth and Love are the core of what mankind’s redemption is all about … –Ej Lopez, Manila Times

(For comments email; doc.ejlopez @gmail.com with cc to opinion@ manilatimes.net).