This word has become popular of late, with various institutions holding orientations on the concept. Essentially, the term refers to multiple crises or events of concern that affect each other.

Polycrises happen when policy decisions to address one situation end up affecting the outcomes, often exacerbating the negative effects of another situation, at roughly the same time. The Iran conflict is a clear example. Engaging Iran raised fuel and fertilizer prices for other countries far from the frontlines of that situation, compounding already higher fuel prices owing to the Ukraine conflict and the 2023 Gaza war.

This already complex situation is complicated by a weaker domestic economy that clocked weaker 4.4 percent growth in 2025, which is not a good situation when facing international economic challenges. In contrast, prior to the onset of the pandemic in 2020, we had a stronger 2019 6.1 percent GDP growth rate. Among other actors, stronger growth is a good hedge against crises.

Compounding the current economic situation are warnings to brace for climate challenges and calamities stemming from a possible El Niño over the Pacific Ocean. Add earthquakes and simultaneous volcanic eruptions, plus the feared job losses from the rollout of more cost-cutting artificial intelligence programs to the mix, you have various complicated storms roaring over the Philippines, affecting our growth and poverty reduction goals. Our desire to reach upper-middle-income status is under significant threat.

Against this bleak and frightening polycrisis, what choices do we have in the regions, particularly in Mindanao? Here's a prospective menu of options to consider.

For one, it will have to keep the living costs of the majority as low as possible. Mindanao can harness its food-growing areas to produce more food than usual. This ensures a steady supply that can keep local food prices low and tame inflation. What will be needed are programs such as subsidized transport of goods from farm to market in a manner that goes beyond fuel subsidies. Public utility vehicles can be rented to bring produce to markets. These vehicles can also ensure that inputs and feeds make it to the farm at a lower cost. When crops and livestock reach markets, and inputs are available at the farm, the farmer achieves secure, steady demand and lower input costs to keep growing more needed produce.

Otherwise, weaker demand due to slow or expensive transport may induce reduced future planting and harvests, and reduce overall food stocks further, which threatens to raise retail prices for consumers. Imports, while a short-term stopgap measure, are also affected by higher importation and transport costs and a weaker peso that can now buy less. In the medium and long term, robust local food production will be needed.

A second major program is to lower public transport costs. The city of Davao's free bus program is an example of a public transport program that can lower costs for workers and employees, since this expense for the daily commute is still a significant contributor to inflation. This may need to be replicated in various urban centers.

These two suggestions are perhaps among many that you in the regions can suggest. Lower food and transport costs can empower the local economy, made up of its citizens who buy, consume, grow, and sell. As long as they can keep doing that, and even modestly expand, the economy and the community is stable in the face of the crises we face.