SOCSCIe.docx

Between 2018 and 2019, the poverty rate in the Philippines showed some positive trends. In 2018, the poverty rate was approximately 21.6%. By 2019, it had decreased slightly to around 20.9%. This decline, though modest, indicated that economic policies and programs aimed at poverty reduction were ha...

Between 2018 and 2019, the poverty rate in the Philippines showed some positive trends. In 2018, the poverty rate was approximately 21.6%. By 2019, it had decreased slightly to around 20.9%. This decline, though modest, indicated that economic policies and programs aimed at poverty reduction were having some effect. Several factors contributed to this decrease: 1. **Economic Growth**: The Philippines experienced steady economic growth during this period. The country\'s GDP growth was relatively strong, which often translates into improved job opportunities and higher incomes for people. 2. **Government Programs**: Various social welfare programs, such as conditional cash transfers through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), aimed to provide financial assistance and support to low-income families. These programs helped improve living conditions and reduce poverty levels. 3. **Infrastructure Development**: Investments in infrastructure, such as roads, schools, and healthcare facilities, were made to improve access to essential services and stimulate economic activity in rural and underserved areas. 4. **Agricultural Improvements**: The government and various organizations worked on improving agricultural productivity, which is crucial in a country where a significant portion of the population relies on agriculture for their livelihood. Despite these improvements, challenges remained. Income inequality, high unemployment rates, and vulnerability to natural disasters continued to affect the effectiveness of poverty reduction efforts. The COVID-19 pandemic, which started in early 2020, introduced new challenges, potentially reversing some of the progress made in reducing poverty. **You said:** can you show me the website sources of these data In 2020, the poverty rate in the Philippines saw a significant impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While exact figures for the poverty rate in 2020 were not immediately available, it was widely acknowledged that the pandemic had adverse effects on the economy and exacerbated poverty. Several key points to consider: - **Economic Impact**: The pandemic led to widespread job losses, disruptions in businesses, and reduced incomes for many individuals and families. These economic challenges likely caused an increase in poverty rates during this period. - **Government Response**: The Philippine government implemented various measures to address the economic fallout, such as providing financial aid, expanding social safety nets, and supporting small businesses. However, the scale of the economic impact meant that poverty rates were still affected. - **Estimates and Reports**: Estimates suggested that the poverty rate could have increased in 2020, reflecting the economic difficulties faced by many due to lockdowns, reduced economic activity, and health-related issues. **FAMINE** Causes of famine in the Philippines Climatic variability has been one of the principal sources of fluctuations in food production in the archipelago, particularly in the semi-arid, flood-prone parts ofthe country. Climatic variability has magnified and contributed to hunger, famineand social dislocation, but from the standpoint of the individual peasant in thePhilippines, famine must be seen not as an absolute scarcity of food in particularregions, but rather as a loss of one's entitlements to food and/or the meansof subsistence.The identity of past and present famine-generating agents in the Philippines needsto take account of both the 'supply side' (Malthusian, climatic or ecological factors)and the 'demand side' (entitlements or market failure) explanations. 8 Severe foodshortages of the past in the archipelago were often not due to a lack of food in thearea of the famine. For example, rice was being exported from Pampanga to Manilain the same years of the sixteenth century that starving Pampangueños were beingforcibly taken off their land to work in the gold mines of Ilocos, or conscripted tocut timber for the construction of the Manila galleons meant to bring the porcelainand silk of China to the inhabitants of the New World The Spanish crown asserted its right to tribute, and the right of the colonists tomaximise profits. The collection of tribute payments through the encomienda,the exploitation of labour under the polos system, and the compulsory sale andrequisitioning of local products like rice, under quotas set by the vandala, placedenormous strains on the traditional subsistence economies of the pacified barangays.During the reign of Philip II, this system of requisitioning, compulsory sales andfixed quotas caused severe economic hardship and food shortages as the rural worldsof Luzon and the Visayas became tied to the consumption-oriented mercantileeconomy of the Spanish Empire. 12 In 1592, the Spanish waged total war by 'fire andsword' by destroying crops around Pampanga. According to an official letter sentto Philip II, many died in the famine that followed because of the forced deliveriesof rice taken away from the villages of Pampanga and use of scorched-earth tactics. 13Two centuries later, the Spanish faced the nineteenth-century challenge ofintegration with competitive globalised markets, and increasingly diverted farmingfrom diversified production to monocrop economies. When the galleon trade endedin 1815, Spain was determined to develop agricultural productivity by pushingfarming into export-oriented cash-crop production. The Spanish governmentopened Philippine ports to international markets and trade creating new wealth, aswell as severe poverty and hunger Vulnerable regions: Cash cropsand food shortagesJust one destructive typhoon each year in the cash-crop producing regions of thePhilippines could make the lives and prospects of the inhabitants of several provincesextremely grim for months, if not years. It takes several months for palay to ripen,up to eight to 10 months for abaca to be ready for harvesting, and between sevenand 10 years for a coconut tree to bear fruit. 31 Consequently, over several centuries,subsistence farmers, who increasingly chose to cultivate cash crops, counting ona better standard of living, often found they had no visible means of sustainingthemselves, because of the 'economic predicament' triggered by typhoons. Faminecould not be averted ConclusionThroughout the course of this paper, I have presented the causes and consequencesof food shortages and famines and the relationship between climatic and weatherfactors, especially in relation to typhoons, floods and drought, and food supply.I have provided a definition of famine and then shown how monocrop agriculture,globalisation and political corruption can exacerbate an already hazardous situation.In examining famines over time, I have pointed out the structural links betweenfood shortages, the nature of Filipino peasant societies and the weather factor bydiscussing the importance of rice to the Filipino diet. I have introduced personalstories from people who were in geographical areas directly affected by repeatedtyphoons, famine and corruption, and the societal group inequality and lossof entitlements that resulted. In digging deeper into the impact of food scarcityin particular geographical areas, I have highlighted the way rural unrest andrevolutionary and millennial movements grew from such untenable situations.Poor Filipino farmers have been doing it tough for the past several decades becauseof extreme weather, and there are no signs of it abating. In central and southernLuzon, and the central and eastern Visayas, there has been a constant struggle,with the forces of nature and global capital, to balance escalating productioncosts and tenancy arrangements against diminishing incomes and livelihoods,and conditions are worsening. That the weather and climate should turn againstthese agriculturalists with such venom is a blow from which many have found itincreasingly difficult to recover, as they face growing uncertainty about their futureon the land. Agriculture has reached a lamentable state in various parts of thecountry and if these conditions of deprivation and social inequality continue topersist in certain areas of southern Luzon, Negros and northern Mindanao there willbe periodic starvation, if not famine. **SUSTAIN** Sustainable development efforts in the Philippines have been diverse, focusing on balancing economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity. ### 1. Renewable Energy Projects - **Bangui Wind Farm** (Ilocos Norte): This project is one of the first large-scale wind farms in Southeast Asia. It helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and provides renewable energy to the region, serving as a model for sustainable energy development. - **Solar Power Projects**: The Philippines has invested in solar power, such as the **Calatagan Solar Farm** in Batangas, which is one of the largest solar farms in Southeast Asia. It generates significant energy for the grid and contributes to reducing carbon emissions. ### 2. Bamboo Reforestation in Mindanao - Bamboo, a fast-growing and sustainable material, has been used for reforestation efforts, particularly in **Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental**. These projects aim to combat deforestation and provide a source of livelihood for local communities through bamboo-based industries, promoting both environmental conservation and economic development. ### 3. Eco-Tourism Initiatives - **Palawan's Sustainable Tourism**: Palawan, often called the "last ecological frontier" of the Philippines, has embraced eco-tourism to protect its unique biodiversity. The **Underground River** in Puerto Princesa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has strict visitor guidelines and limits to ensure that tourism does not harm the natural environment. - **Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park**: A UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Sulu Sea, Tubbataha Reefs has become a model of sustainable marine tourism. Strict conservation measures protect the coral reefs and marine biodiversity, while also allowing regulated tourism to support local economies. ### 4. Zero Waste Management Programs - **San Fernando, Pampanga**: The city of San Fernando is known for its zero waste initiatives. It has implemented programs such as waste segregation, composting, and recycling, reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills and promoting a circular economy. - **Quezon City Payatas Dumpsite Closure**: After the closure of the infamous Payatas landfill, Quezon City implemented waste diversion programs, including waste-to-energy initiatives and waste recovery programs, to reduce waste and improve environmental sustainability. ### 5. Agroforestry Projects - **Agroforestry in the Cordillera Region**: Indigenous communities in the Cordilleras practice agroforestry, where they grow crops and trees together in a sustainable manner. This traditional practice enhances biodiversity, prevents soil erosion, and provides a stable food source, making it a key part of sustainable development in the region. ### 6. Green Building Initiatives - **Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC)**: This organization promotes green building practices through initiatives like the **Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE)** program. Many commercial and residential buildings in Metro Manila and Cebu have adopted energy-efficient designs, water-saving technologies, and sustainable materials. ### 7. Sustainable Fishing Practices - **Fisheries Management in Tawi-Tawi**: In southern Mindanao, the fishing industry in Tawi-Tawi has incorporated sustainable fishing practices, including the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs). Local communities and governments work together to ensure that fish stocks are preserved while maintaining livelihoods for fishermen. ### 8. Mangrove Reforestation - **Mangrove Reforestation in Leyte and Samar**: After Typhoon Haiyan (Y Cebu has also made significant strides in sustainable development, blending environmental preservation with community development and eco-tourism. Here are some notable examples of sustainable initiatives in Cebu: ### 1. Solar Power Initiatives - **Isla Norte Energy Corporation Solar Power Plant**: Located in Daanbantayan, northern Cebu, this solar farm provides renewable energy to the grid, reducing the island\'s dependence on fossil fuels and helping to lower carbon emissions. This project is part of Cebu's push towards more sustainable energy sources. ### 2. Eco-Tourism in Mactan and Oslob - **Marine Conservation and Whale Shark Watching in Oslob**: While whale shark tourism in Oslob has sparked debate over sustainability, local government efforts to regulate the interaction, along with marine conservation projects, aim to protect the species and promote responsible tourism practices. - **Mactan Island Marine Reserves**: Several marine sanctuaries around Mactan Island, like **Nalusuan Marine Sanctuary**, focus on preserving coral reefs and marine biodiversity. These sites are protected to balance tourism with conservation, offering eco-friendly diving and snorkeling experiences. ### 3. Waste Management and Recycling Programs - **Mandaue City Waste-to-Energy Plant**: Mandaue City in Cebu has implemented a waste-to-energy project aimed at converting waste materials into energy, reducing landfill use, and generating power. This project addresses both environmental concerns and energy demands. - **Cebu City's Plastic Waste Reduction Initiatives**: Cebu City has been active in reducing plastic waste by encouraging waste segregation, recycling, and the reduction of single-use plastics through ordinances and local campaigns. ### 4. Mangrove Reforestation in Cordova - In **Cordova**, a municipality in Cebu, mangrove reforestation projects have been implemented to protect coastal areas from erosion, flooding, and storm surges. These mangrove forests also serve as nurseries for fish and other marine life, contributing to both ecological balance and the livelihoods of local fisherfolk. ### 5. Green Building Initiatives - **Cebu IT Park** and other commercial areas have integrated green building practices, such as energy-efficient designs, water conservation systems, and eco-friendly materials. Some buildings in Cebu have pursued LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, supporting a more sustainable urban development framework. CITATIONS [Home \| Philippine Statistics Authority \| Republic of the Philippines (psa.gov.ph)](https://psa.gov.ph/) [Typhoons and droughts (informit.org)](https://search.informit.org/doi/epdf/10.3316/informit.276811439638271) [NCCAP-1.pdf (emb.gov.ph)](https://climate.emb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/NCCAP-1.pdf) [Chapter-02.pdf (neda.gov.ph)](https://pdp.neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Chapter-02.pdf) [Chapter-03.pdf (neda.gov.ph)](https://pdp.neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Chapter-03.pdf) [Chapter-04.pdf (neda.gov.ph)](https://pdp.neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Chapter-04.pdf) [Chapter-05.pdf (neda.gov.ph)](https://pdp.neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Chapter-05.pdf) [Chapter-06.pdf (neda.gov.ph)](https://pdp.neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Chapter-06.pdf) [Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 - Philippine Development Plan (neda.gov.ph)](https://pdp.neda.gov.ph/philippine-development-plan-2023-2028/) [23.3-MW power added in Bantayan Island \| Philippine News Agency (pna.gov.ph)](https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159300) [Metro Pacific group opens mangrove center in Cebu town \| Philippine News Agency (pna.gov.ph)](https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1128818) [Waste-to-energy: The future of Cebu City garbage management \| The Freeman (philstar.com)](https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2018/09/29/1856018/waste-energy-future-cebu-city-garbage-management) [Renewable energy: Cebu's lone solar power plant \| Cebu Daily News (inquirer.net)](https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/180535/renewable-energy-cebus-lone-solar-power-plant)