Poverty and Alleviation in the Philippines

Poverty in the Philippines

• Poverty is prevalent across various sectors of Philippine society, both rural and urban.
• In 2012, the poverty incidence rate was estimated at 22.3%, affecting approximately 23 million Filipinos.
• The most vulnerable sectors include fishermen, farmers, children, the self-employed, unpaid family workers, women, youth, migrants, senior citizens, and urban residents.
• Fishermen and farmers are disproportionately affected, facing neglect and deprivation with limited access to resources.

Poverty Alleviation Programs

• Programs, whether governmental or private, share the common goal of improving living conditions for the poorest.
• These programs aim to provide access to essential goods and services and can be long-term (e.g., livelihood projects, education) or short-term (e.g., feeding programs, medical missions).
• Common initiatives include microfinance, community development, education promotion, population management, and natural resource sustainability.
• Program effectiveness varies and relies on internal and external factors, including cooperation from the target sector.

Conditional Cash Transfer Program

• It is a widespread strategy to combat poverty by providing cash to families meeting specific criteria.
• These conditions often include mandatory education, health check-ups, and participation in development seminars.
• In the Philippines, the DSWD implements the "Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program" for children aged 0-14.
• The program aims to provide temporary financial aid and break the cycle of poverty through investments in human capital.
• Some argue that such programs may foster dependency, countered by the belief that they empower the poor.

Global Slums

• There are approximately 200,000 informal settlements worldwide.
• The five largest slums include:
  • Neza-Chalco-Itza (Mexico City, Mexico): 4 million
  • Orangi Town (Karachi, Pakistan): 1.5 million
  • Dharavi (Mumbai, India): 1 million
  • Khayelitsha (Cape Town, South Africa): 400,000
  • Kibera (Nairobi, Kenya): 200,000

"Pagpag" in Manila

• "Pagpag" refers to discarded food, often chicken, scavenged from trash.
• It represents a hidden food system for Manila's urban poor, utilizing leftovers from the middle class.
• People like Fabon collect, clean, and sell pagpag due to its affordability.
• Residents of slums like Tondo often rely on pagpag despite health risks.
• The Philippine Community Fund (PCF) operates a school in Tondo, aiming to combat poverty through education and nutrition.

Gender Inequality

• Gender inequality persists globally despite progress since the 1990s.
• Women and girls still face discrimination in health, education, political representation, and the labor market.
• Examples include limited access to non-agricultural jobs in Northern Africa and barriers to education in sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania, and western Asia.
• Some countries impose restrictions on women's freedom, such as driving and traveling without a chaperone.
• UN Sustainable Development Goal no. 5 aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
• Achieving gender equality requires commitment from governments, NGOs, and civil societies.

Ethnic Minorities in the Philippines

• The Philippines has around 150 ethnic groups, as identified by the Office of the Presidential Advisor for Indigenous People Affairs.
• Ethnic minorities in Northern Luzon, such as Isneg, Kalinga, and Ifugao, are mainly dependent on agriculture.
• Indigenous tribes in Luzon include the Mangyans of Mindoro and the Tagbanuas of Palawan.
• The Visayas are home to the Badjaos, Maranaos, and Samals, among others.
• The Lumads, non-Muslim ethnic minorities, are found across Mindanao.

Persons with Disabilities

• Approximately 10% of the world's population lives with disabilities, with 80% residing in developing countries.
• Persons with disabilities are more vulnerable to discrimination, violence, and rape.
• They often lack access to police intervention, preventive care, and legal protection.
• The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006) ensures equal rights for persons with disabilities.

Global Inequality

• Global inequality remains a concern due to the growing disparity between developed and developing countries.
• The richest 1% of the world's population is predicted to control more wealth than the other 99%.
• Some countries have effective access to resources, while others lack basic necessities.
• Addressing global inequality requires commitment from various sectors to ensure a better future.