ZTE Hearings

I was going through the transcript of the ZTE hearings and I am glad that Sen. Dick Gordon voiced the view I expressed here that the NBN should not be a high priority in the use of government funds because there are private sector alternatives. Perhaps, China can see this too and agree to divert the money it was willing to lend us for NBN to such projects such as modernizing our public hospitals.

Here are Sen. Gordon’s views expressed during the hearing.

“With that kind of money, $329 million, Php 15 billion, is that really a priority or is it really donor driven? Nagpahiram ang China… may pera kami rito, ha? Kahit na hindi n’yo kailngan umutang na kayo para makuha natin … Saying, pinapahiram tayo eh. Mababa ang interest. Pero hindi naman kailangan ng gobyerno right away.

“Hindi n’yo ba puwedeng sabihin sa China, “O pautangin n’yo na lang kami dadalhin naming sa eskwela. Lalagyan namin ng computers yung eskwela para masanay lahat yung tao para pagdating ng araw pag dumating ang broadband madali nang magawa iyon.

“O di naman kaya pautangin n’yo kami paayos natin yung PGH. Paayos natin yung Orthopedic Hospital. Lalagyan natin ng mga regional hospitals. Di ba dapat yun ang ginagawa natin? Or is it really a priority na broadband samantalang may Smart, may Globe… Bakit hindi natin gamitin yun muna para maunahan yung pera ng gobyerno para ma-prioritize ang talagang pangangailngan ng tao? Hindi ba natin pinaguusapan iyon?”

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=49&type=2&sec=27&aid=20070927275
Don’t demonize China naman
DEMAND AND SUPPLY By Boo Chanco
The Philstar
Friday, September 28, 2007