Philippine President: Manuel Roxas

Manuel Roxas ( 1946 - 1948 )

Condition of Philippines:

The Philippines was affected by graft and corruption which made the people put less trust on the government. Problems about the “Huks” are also present since the police and the military abused their power.

Primary Problems:

Unemployment is very evident during his term because the Americans were gradually decreasing their activities in the Philippines. Poverty is also present, particularly on the starvation problems of the people in the Mt. Provinces. Also, the wages of people cannot compensate to the expenditures and prices of the products due to inflation. The farmlands of the Filipinos during his time were also disturbed by locusts and plagues of rats which render the crops indispensable and useless for the farmers. Housing is also a problem since the war has destroyed several sites in the provinces which cannot be renovated for future use. Another problem is on communication, several Filipinos are still cut off which resulted from the war.

Promises in the Election:

Roxas promised, particularly on his inaugural speech that he will help the Filipinos to rebuild, repair and replace the existing system. He promised to find solutions in the problems regarding the unemployment of the people. Moreover, increase in wages of the people will also be implemented so as people can also be purchasers, not just producers to level with the problem of inflation. Meanwhile, the president would see to it that prices will be controlled in the market meaning that there will be no overpricing present on products. His promises were mainly centered on the industrializing the Philippines and using the talents and abilities of the Filipinos as a foundation of the country’s development.

Primary Programs:

1. Rehabilitation and Economic Development Program
· This was his primary goal for the Philippines which is to raise the corporate income tax from 12% to 18%.
· It also covers a reasonable increase in the taxes of luxury goods.

2. Industrialization Program
· This is his project in building and purchasing aids that can help in the agricultural activities of the country to help the economic development of the country.

Results of the Programs:

The administration of Manuel Roxas was able to lessen the problems of the Philippines by the collected funds of the programs on the increase of income taxes.