Pinoys to clash over food?

The United Nations (UN) has just sounded an alarm over the worsening food situation in the world. Throughout the globe, millions are starving due to the high prices of food stuffs. Note: its not the lack of food--its the price that's causing this crisis. The UN says that governments might fall should they fail to manage this explosive situation.

A similar warning was published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer ("GMA job is on the line", Philippine Daily Inquirer, 19 April 2008, p.1) by a foreign economist, echoing what PinoyObserver wrote in http://pinoyobserver.wordpress.com.

Would this scenario happen? Would we see throngs of people going out in the streets, protesting for lack of food? Would we see another May 1 revolt which nearly toppled GMA from the seat of power?

Imaginative minds would say yes. Analytical minds however predict no.

Elements of dissent are clearly present. However, we should take into account the social psyche of the Filipino which is predispose to peace as a means towards conflict resolution.

Government is clearly in control of the situation. Despite what the Opposition might say, there is no noticeable change in Filipino behaviour since this food crisis broke out. Yes, GMA's approval ratings dipped to its all-time low. Surveys indicate perceptions, not emotions. What we don't see are manifestations of disgusts filling the streets.

Some would argue that, well, militant groups have staged numerous rallies and walk-outs last week. This could be a sign.

But, we are not that stupid. These rallies are staged and managed events. These are not spontaneous nor combustive incidents that would tell us what Filipinos really feel deep inside.

We do have historical references though when Filipinos broke out in insurgent fashion due to the issue on food. However, if we use this as behavioral indicators, it could be misleading, since during the 1930's when food riots broke out in Manila, the flow of information is not as rapid and as far-reaching as it is now. Read: despite its expansive and free-flowing nature, information is increasingly being controlled by the state through its propaganda machinery.

Notice how government and other groups are trying to manage the situation by not allowing it to tip precariously towards anarchy. In other countries, especially in Europe, this situation which we face could have broken out into pockets of resistance. Here, no. Why? Because information has been managed so well that you don't see an anarchist manipulating the discussion.

Another factor--the lack of a rallying point. There is now a problem of leadership in the opposition. This is pathetic since, historically, not a few stood up from the ranks of the middle class during times of crisis under the Marcos regime. Today, no figure has emerged to provide us with stellar stewardship. Notice though that the administration saw this beforehand and managed to fill in the vacuum. See how this administration positioned GMA? That explains why GMA is now being seen micro-managing the situation.

Hence, I don't believe what Darren Cooper, a senior economist with the International Grains Council said yesterday. Yes, GMA's job could possibly be on the line. She might lose many people to the opposing side. Though, I don't believe this could lead to her early downfall.