Saturday, September 7, 2013

PH plans to lift millions out of poverty



RICH-POOR DIVIDE. There are more than 25 million currently live in poverty. A small number of families dominating politics and business. File photo by LeAnne Jazul






MANILA, Philippines - The government is aiming to lift more than 10 million people out of poverty in less than two years, and make an enduring impact on lessening one of Asia's worst rich-poor divides.

The government of President Benigno Aquino III has set a target of cutting the number of people living in poverty to 16.6% by the end of 2015, down from 27.9% last year, Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said on Friday, July 5.

"It's a big challenge. We just don't have the luxury of time and the luxury of resources to waste," Balisacan told reporters.
The ambitious goal is set ahead of when Aquino is required to stand down in in mid-2016 after a 6-year term.

It comes after stunning economic growth, credit rating upgrades and record stock market highs in the first half of Aquino's term failed to make a dent on crushing poverty.

The number of people living in poverty — defined as living on 62 US cents a day or less — had also largely remained the same.

In 2012, about 27.9% of the country was classified as living in poverty compared to 28.8% and 28.6% in 2006 and 2009 respectively.
That means more than 25 million currently live in poverty.

The Philippines has long had one of the biggest rich-poor divides in Asia, with a remarkably small number of families dominating politics and business.
While the Aquino administration has always aimed to create more inclusive growth,

Balisacan said the government was "recalibrating" after the recent economic performance failed to make a big impact on poverty.

 "We are learning the lesson of the last three years," he said.
The economy remains largely reliant on services and consumption, fueled by the huge remittances of almost 10 million Filipinos working overseas.

 Balisacan said that, as part of the remodeling efforts, the government would sharply increase spending on infrastructure to create immediate jobs and make areas more attractive for investment.

The government is specifically targeting ports, airports and roads.
Overall spending on infrastructure will rise from the equivalent of 2.5% of the Philippines' economy in 2012 to five percent by 2016, according to Balisacan.

He said the government would also continue to ramp up spending on social services.

One key focus is a "conditional cash-transfer" scheme where the country's poorest families are given money if various health and education requirements are met, such as keeping children in school. He said the government was maintaining its forecast of 6% to 7% economic growth this 2013, rising to 7% to 8% in 2015. - Rappler.com






Poverty has been one of the most prioritize problem that any nation or country would want to be eliminated as of this present day. It’s one of the factor why people of a nation cannot attain its unity and equal development due to ranking of social classes from richest down to the poorest making it hard for any type of government  to equally divide it’s country’s wealth because it might lead to disappointment of those people who are on top of the pyramid.
In a third world country, poverty would be most likely to be present, of course such as our own country, The Philippines. Poverty in the Philippines have always been present even before when I was born. It is one of the hardest puzzle our government have been trying to solve for years and years. Perhaps, poverty then was not as difficult as the kind of poverty people are experiencing today. It’s because resources back then were still enough for the people of this country to consume without even considering the future generations. Meanwhile, the rapid growth of population makes it more difficult to face this kind of poverty due to lack of resources, help from the government and the lack of information.


Thanks to this current administration of President Benigno Aquino III that give the people of this nation a hope of surpassing such type of poverty. His new administration includes the procreation of many jobs locally and abroad that gives our Filipino brothers an opportunity to have a stable lifestyle. Included also in his platform is a program that helps the poorest of our Filipino brothers by means of giving direct cash funds to those families who are giving all of their efforts and money to send their children to school and giving their children enough and sustainable healthcare. Hearing this new type of platform from the current administration investors then came rushing to the Philippines with the feeling of being secured in their investments. After all, who wouldn't feel secured if the current administration is doing its hardest to wipe out all the most corrupt people from the previous governments that rooted all this poverty crisis that we Filipino face.
With this acts of the current administration I do believe that they can uplift this poverty not only from millions but making our country a zero percent poverty rate as long as we the people of this country cooperates and getting involved in helping our nation to become one of the best economy in the entire world. As long as, everybody contribute to anything that can make our country more livable and peaceful that means every people learn to appreciate what they have and to aim more without putting others in despair. With such acts I don’t think we will still see people in the streets begging for food or money. People who were complaining for a higher wages will somehow be minimize, possibly. The sad part is that, this current administration we are enjoying is coming to an end. The current administration has only three more years to show off its capacity and make the public impressed. Though, they certainly did a great job for their three years of service in public the other three will soon to be uncover.


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