"Derisking: A Strategic Approach to Limiting China's Influence on Philippine Infrastructure"This title effectively conveys the main topic and theme of the post, which is the importance of adopting a derisking strategy to mitigate the risks associated with China's influence on Philippine infrastructure. The use of the word "derisking" as the main keyword adds specificity and helps readers quickly understand what the post is about.

Here's a polished and professional version of the blog post:Derisking: A Strategic Approach to Limiting China's Influence on Philippine InfrastructureAs the Philippines navigates its complex relationship with China, adopting a derisking strategy is crucial for preventing Beijing from gaining full control over our critical infrastructure. This approach acknowledges that a complete "decoupling" from China may not be feasible, but rather requires finding a balance between economic interests and national security concerns.What is Derisking?Derisking involves taking proactive steps to limit China's influence over key industries and sectors, thereby mitigating the risks associated with our close economic ties. This approach recognizes that a derisked strategy must be tailored to the unique circumstances of the Philippines-China relationship.The Importance of DeriskingAs a major trading partner and neighbor, China plays a significant role in the Philippines' economy. However, this close relationship also poses risks to our national security and infrastructure. By implementing effective safeguards, we can prevent Beijing from gaining control over our critical sectors, including energy, transportation, and telecommunications.The Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) Agreement: A Positive Step Towards DeriskingThe recent MIC agreement to acquire a 20 percent stake in the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) is a positive step towards derisking. By increasing government influence over the power grid, we can reduce China's control and ensure that our critical infrastructure is managed for the benefit of Filipinos.Implementing Effective Derisking StrategiesTo successfully derisk, we must:1. Issue-specific safeguards: Implement clear and specific measures to protect our critical infrastructure from Chinese interference.2. High-fence defenses: Develop robust cyber defense systems and other forms of espionage mitigation.3. Focused sectoral approaches: Focus on specific industries or sectors that are critical to national security and implement targeted derisking strategies.Overcoming Obstacles: The Need for Updated LawsThe Philippines' outdated laws and regulations pose a significant obstacle to effective derisking. For example, our treason law only applies during wartime, and fines for espionage are inadequately low. It is essential that we update our laws to reflect the changing threat landscape.ConclusionDerisking is a critical strategy for limiting China's influence on Philippine infrastructure. By adopting a derisking approach, we can prevent Beijing from gaining control over our critical sectors and ensure that our national security is protected. With clear safeguards, robust defenses, focused sectoral approaches, and updated laws, we can turn the Philippines' geography into an asset rather than a liability.Keywords: Derisking, China, Philippine infrastructure, National Security, MIC Agreement, NGCP

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.