CUBA being what it is – direly totalitarian according to its powerful northern neighbor – and pitifully poor due to a 40-year embargo (imposed by the USA), you wonder why they bother making a budget and publicizing it during a press conference, at this far side of the Pacific Ocean. Anyway, for the fiscal year 2006, the approved budget outlay is US.30 billion (exchange rate is US=Cuba R1). For us, that is the pits but Cuba has to make do with shoe string to fulfill the needs of a population of 11.2 million, broken down into 3.5 million households, with an average of 3.16 members per unit. The majority of homes are situated in urbanized areas and 95 percent of these have sufficient water and electricity. Seventy percent of the 2006 budget will be spent on public welfare for a population with an average age of 35 years. As in the Philippines, education gets the lion’s share; in Cuba, health, culture, art, science, technology, and sports are also considered budgetary priorities along job-generation programs.
For us, it is hard to imagine how the Cuban government can generate jobs. Apparently, the amount of US.9 million is earmarked for "state entrepreneurs and agricultural producers’’ while US.4 billion will be used for prime-pumping through housing projects and the construction of all types of public works and infrastructure. A 15.5 percent growth is projected for the transport sector, based on plans of acquiring locomotives, railroad wagons, buses, trucks, and other equipment that will stimulate socio-economic development. At 2.3 million visitors a year, Cuba’s tourism levels are almost at par with ours. In 2006, Cuba aims to have a 10 percent GDP, a tad lower than last year’s 11.8 percent.
Where does Cuba derive its income? I had to ask Ambassador Jorge Rey Jimenez, during that press conference. (Not even the Arroyo administration can project such an ambitious growth rate.) Cuba, like the Philippines, has made the service sector the motor of its economic growth. Precisely, because of the US blockade, Cuba has been compelled to develop highly specialized services in the medical and biotechnology sectors. It has become the favorite destination of those who need physical and medical therapy, with quality and at very affordable prices. Aside from its world-famous tobacco, Cuba is known for its nickel deposits. Japan is a consistent, top buyer although it cannot sell cars with Cuban nickel to the American market.
After the Cuban parliament passed the 2006 budget, it reaffirmed the social, economic, and political programs of the Revolution. As expected, in the closing session, President Fidel Castro attacked his American counterpart, George W. Bush, for unrelenting attempts to effect regime change in Cuba, aimed at thwarting the revolutionary process. Castro declared: "we are stronger today, more invincible: We laugh at the US threats and are conscious of our power and the situation in Latin America… The enemy is doing its best to obstruct everything we do, but it is too late for that..’’ He also affirmed that, ".. the empire [USA] cannot take over our country…’’ Castro alluded to "certain individuals’’ who want to destroy the Cuban Revolution from within, "… but, they do not realize how wrong they are about the strength and abilities of the Cuban people.’’
During the last 15 years, called "Special Period,’’ Cuba’s Herculean task was to overcome the loss of its main trading partners in the socialist camp in Eastern Europe. On top of that, Cuba suffered the adverse effects of severe drought, three disastrous hurricanes and high oil prices. The 40-year-old economic blockade imposed by the USA remained unabated. Material shortages became more severe and financial liquidity was a constant challenge. Evidently, there is political will so correct decisions were made. Cuba relied on the parts of its service sector that had international acceptability and used revenues to double minimum wages, pensions and social assistance to benefit 5.1 million citizens. Notably, investments in the education and health sectors were strengthened instead of diminished.
Other highlights of the "Special Period’’ were the implementation of bold concepts for power generating and savings, frontal attacks against corruption and crime and "Operation Miracle,’’ an eye surgery program. In Latin America, and the Carribean, Cuban doctors performed 172-306 open-eye surgeries.
According to Cubans, their 70,000 doctors are indeed one of the major riches of the country. More than 20,000 Latin American youths are studying medicine in Cuba. The "Henry Reeve International Medical Contingent’’ travels around the world to provide emergency assistance, particularly in cases of natural disasters and severe epidemics.
Life in Cuba is not a bed of roses but it must be a consolation for the citizens to see that their leaders have vision, political will and a sense of national dignity. Besides, they are putting the national budget to very good use. (gemma601yahoo .com)
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