CHAFF FROM THE GRAIN Hector RR Villanueva “A wrong decision isn’t forever; it can always be reversed. The losses from a delayed decision are forever.” – J.K. Galbraith The rapid and record-breaking discovery of the anti-COVID-19 vaccine can only be described as awesome, phenomenal, and extraordinary. Indeed, there is no limit to the imagination and creativity of the human mind. With the total world population topping seven billion people with most of them in undeveloped and poor countries, it is plausible that the light at the end of the tunnel is still far way for most of the world’s disadvantaged and vulnerable people. Nonetheless, it is hoped that the much awaited vaccine will eradicate the deadly coronavirus pandemic, and restore global economic equilibrium, especially international commerce, trade and employment. That being said, there are good reason to be cautiously optimistic in 2021 and beyond. While massive production of the vaccine is being done by corporations and countries, and they are rolling the vaccine out as soon as possible in millions of doses, the reality is not that simple or cheap. Priorities have to be set not only by countries and social sectors. There are logistical complexities problems of competitive procurements and, most important, budgetary availability and affordability, and the Philippines is no exception. Thus, while there are reasons to be optimistic about the country’s  economic growth, government decision makers cannot remain static and status quo-bound, what is euphemistically termed “the new normal.” In other words, this government  needs original thinking, bold thinking and eclectic thinking and vision. While President Duterte has all the sincere good intentions, courage in decision making, and incorruptibility, he casts a narrow net or, as they say, this desert is small and self-limiting. What to do? First, President Duterte has to influence both houses of Congress with a strong and firm hand to pass bold and game-changing legislation, such as liberalizing the economy, foreign investments, restrictive constitutional provisions, the death penalty, and land use, to name a few. Second, he should entice and recruit the best and the brightest Filipinos here and abroad with good pay and patriotic reasons instead of limiting the choices to a small circle of acquaintances. Third, he should pursue vigorous reforms, such as, heavy punishment for corruption and incorrigible red tape, and drastic reforms at the LGU level, notably at the barangay level. In conclusion, this diatribe may be an exercise in futility but quoting Alexander Pope again, “Hope springs eternal in the human breast.” Merry Christmas brothers and sisters and a Prosperous New Year.