While filming Bourne Legacy in Manila, actress Rachel Weisz was deeply moved with the Phililippines’ different portraits of poverty: street children roaming around the streets, beggars exploring garbage bins, and poor families struggling to survive under the bridge. Asked by Weisz if there are Filipinos living far worse than these, actor Jon Arcilla only assured her that what she saw is only a simple glimpse to the extreme poverty millions of Filipinos are suffering. I guess that’s a more straightforward way to tell foreigners that poverty is really not fun in the Philippines.
As a Third World country, we are often asked this same question over and over again: “How poor is the Philippines?”
Seriously, to be known as a very poor country is a hurtful blow already but to be asked on how disgusting our country is can even be more painful. Though we’ve become an independent nation for quite a long time, we are still tortured by the shackles of poverty that keeps on pulling us down the bottomless pit. For most of us, we’ve been like this since God knows when and will still be a hopeless case for the years to come. How poor are we? One can just look around to measure the extent of poverty in the Philippine society. The past administrations have tried all their might to stop this never-ending phenomenon to no avail. Filipinos have a natural optimistic mindset and resilient attitude but even these admirable qualities will never provide a feasible solution to end poverty. And with the continuous inflation and deteriorating health care system, it seems that Filipinos are becoming poorer and poorer nowadays.
What does our present administration think about poverty? Well, as far as I can remember, PNoy is set to increase the government’s budget for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) this year. However, let’s just hope that this program will provide more opportunities for the Aquino administration to develop people empowerment among the beneficiaries of 4Ps. Also, the budget allocated for this program must be protected from the hands of corrupt government officials and employees. But as we all know, our country is full of parasites and the corruption is becoming more of a culture in both the existing national and local governments. Though it is true that PNoy is staying true to its promise to end complacency in Philippine government, the capriciousness of some evil government officials remains too hard to handle. For them, it is alright for the Philippines to be known as the country of the poor as long as they’re not in the same bandwagon. The poorest sector in our country, on the other hand, remains gullible and stoic when it comes to the present issues that our country is facing because daily survival is still their top priority. This is an endless cycle that keeps on haunting us up to this day and is forcing most of us to lose trust in the government and search for a brighter future overseas. As a result, the brain drain phenomenon gives no opportunity for our deteriorating health care and education services to improve and better serve the poorest families in the Philippines.
Do we still have hope?
Though there are still a lot of factors that need complete overhaul, it will always be better if we just keep our hopes up and wait for a better Philippines in the future. The Aquino government must both eradicate corruption among government officials and dependence among Filipino people. It’s flagship program for the poor will never succeed alone as issues on unemployment and underemployment continues to paralyze our society today. We need long-term solutions and not just temporary patches for our growing social problems. Philippines will stay as a poor country as long as we prioritize things that we shouldn’t in the first place. After all, we’re not a hopeless case but still a work in progress trying to prove its worth.
Photo credit: lovelyphilippines.com
Kuro-Kuro.org » General Topics » Article Discussion
How Poor is the Philippines?
(41 posts)-
Posted 1 year ago #
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Posted by unregistered user: Tenten Baya
The government alone can’t solve all this. As Filipinos, we should take part and do what we can. As Filipinos, we should pull our brothers up from down below poverty line. As Filipinos, it is our responsibility to take charge and change the Philippines. As Filipinos, we should do something not wait for it to happen.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: jim
I agree completely,Ive traveled to the philippines on three seperate occassions and seen things that most americans have only seen on tv.I met a very special person online awhile back,after many conversations i took the plunge and traveled half way around the world to meet her,after spending 60 days between manila and Batac(ilocos norte)i began to understand what it was like for her to grow up in poverty.we are now happily married.After being there for a few weeks,i realized to really understand the people and culture,i had to walk in their shoes,so i rode jeepneys,walked in areas that tourists dont dare,and planted rice with my own hands,yes its a hard life for them,and most work very hard for the few pesos they earn,but i have to say that when i do retire,i want to spend my remaining days there,the people are very warm and friendly,most will open their doors to you and treat you like family,if more foreigners would invest in this country,and if the politicians could eradacate the corruption,this country would rise to the occassion,I love the philipines,and if there was anything i could do to assist in the growth of their economy or help end the poverty,i would in a heartbeat,the philippines has alot to offer the world,they just need help in showing everyone else….”If nothing changes,nothing changes”…Winston Churchill
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: dadi
as long as corruption exist, no matter who will lead, poverty remains
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: Emilio
You know, it astounds me that people talk about ending corruption as a source of ending poverty in the Philippines. From what I know, any one with half a decent interest in the topic will know that the poverty of the masses is deep rooted in the history of land ownership across the country (hacienda), with the family clans that continue to dominate the economic strata of society in the Philippines thus essentially holding a vast majority of the wealth and power.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: stephen
the answer lies in a simple solution, to control our population, the thing here is the poor folks keep on bringing children into this world without the necessary means to give said children even a decent life, the children end up being malnourished, illiterate and basically begging in the streets to feed their parents. That’s blatant child abuse, those parents deserve to be locked up for being irresponsible at least. our politicians need to wake up and act on this, not just turn a blind eye. else we will soon be overrun by beggars on our streets.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: Julius
I don’t understand why some people rely on the government to achieve better lives. This is a democratic country to remind some of you.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: teehee
Its alarming to discover that corruption is beginning to be a culture, a norm that will one day define us as a race. And that brain drain happening will one day stop and Philippines will be a hyrdrocephalus. Who in the world will want to hire a corrupt and parasitic employee??
Filipinos have a natural optimistic mindset and resilient attitude only to be thwarted by the the capriciousness of majority of those in office. Thats how mighty are those in Phil office. Yet recent events are throwing bricks at them, and oh my, how the mighty has fallen. Laughingstock as we maybe, the wheels of change is reeling, yet only to be replaced by another vulture. Its a cycle. a never-ending one. when will we see the true light of day?
The Filipino culture, colorful and unique as it maybe, is simply a meld of variety of cultures from far and wide, a mix of good and bad. Filipinos are inherently good, yes, rather extremely to those they can gather their milk and honey, yet ironically turns about-face to those who can offer nothing in exchange. The culture is eating the country up. There’s nothing colorful really.
what we need is indeed a brain drain, for us to start from a clean slate, allow our resilience, our courage, our optimism, industriousness, our ingenuity, our intelligence, our professionalism, our creativeness, our resourcefulness, our smiles, our warmth, our hospitality…Create an avenue for ourselves, and to respond respectfully to what was created for us, to let the Filipino might and spirit go beyond and transform prejudiced mindsets. Everyday the west admires the Filipino worker. Every day the east appreciates the Filipino worker. One day, a Filipino will promote not only himself, but his fellowmen wholeheartedly, willingly, freely.
that is the filipino i want to see.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: Emilio
Well, overpopulation is very much down to the influence the catholic church has had for centuries and continues to do so – I think so many kids are born due to lack of birth control, but then, also, as so many people are poor, families are big among the massa to give the best chance of producing good breadwinners. It’s kind of a vicious cycle.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: Mehehe
I dunno how martial law felt, but i think it’s an answer to corruption. Dictatorship is good as long as the dictator is pure and selfless, which is highly rare, maybe impossible. I mean look at our politicians, families are there, actors are there, wtf? As of now, the only thing that they’re trying to do is blame and impeach one another, where in fact, they should be helping each other to bring the country up to progress, how useless. As for the poor sector, we cant blame them for being gullible, that’s how they grew up, and being deprived of resources, they can easily fall into traps of the wealthy. And as long as no one tries to change their own attitude (both sides), well, no progress will occur.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: Bella
I find it really irritating when our poor countrymen blame the government for their bad economic situation and poor way of life. I hope these people will see and realize the bigger picture that, it’s them who is to be blamed. Look at those families living in “iskwaters” area. Most of them have no stable jobs and decent homes but then, they multiply like rats, tsk! Most of them as well, are engaged on petty form of gambling, “tsismis” and other forms of unproductive hobbies and even worst, engaged in doing criminality in the society. Surely, the have the right to decide on what to do with their lives, on how many children they want to have, but i hope they also realize that the children they are bringing in this world, each and one of them, has the right to live a good life, right to be educated and a right to live in a healthy environment. PHL’s population is growing rapidly and it’s okay if our government can provide all their needs, but sadly, It CANNOT. So i hope, our kababayans, will be responsible enough to see and do what they can do to help themselves and the government.
JFKennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, Ask what can you do for your country.” If we want our country to improve and to lessen the poverty, we should start to help ourselves first before the country can help us. Corruption in the country is just part of the reason why Philippines is poor. Again, it all comes back to us, the Filipino people. If we choose the right political leader and we are concern of what’s happening in our country and we take part and initiative to demand changes in our rotten political society, then maybe in GOD’s grace, someday, Philippines and Filipino people, will not be poor anymore. If we do not allow and tolerate any form of corruption, bribe and dishonesty (big or small scale), then maybe PHL will come a long way. So, if we want a good and improve PHL society, we should start from ourselves. Change our bad ways to good ways, become responsible citizens of our country, get involved and concerned with whats happening to the society.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: Carlo
How sure are we that PNoy isn’t corrupt? Just because he said so on National TV he isn’t doesn’t mean it’s true. Do we see him 24/7, every action he does?
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However, Filipinos/Philippines will never be rich unless we start possess the right attitude. It’s not enough that the government does the steps. They say, “ang marami ay nagsisismula sa isa; ang malaki ay nagsisimula sa maliit, ang lahat ay mag-uumpisa sa iisang indibidwal hanggang sa buong pamilya, hanggang buong komunidad/barangay, hanggang munisipyo/lungsod, hanggang lalawigan hanggang sa buong bansa.”Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: jessey
ang problema sa pilipinas ay ang mga nasa pwesto ay ginagawang business ang politika,payamanan at palakasan ng kapangyarihan ang labanan..ang ending ang mga nagdurusa ay ang mga mamamayang pilipino..at sana atupagin ng gobyerno ang ang pagbiibgay ng trabaho sa ating mga pilipino biro mo mga businessman sa atin sakim din ayaw man lang ibahagi ang yaman sa ating mga pinoy at sobrang tipid magpasahod sa ating mga pinoy..tapos til 5 mos lang then wala kana naman trabaho..kaya sana taasan din ang pagbabayad ng tax ng mga business man na yan para atleast mas marami pang makokolekta na buwis ang gobyerno at itulong nalang sa mga mahihirap na pinoy..
sana naman kahit kaunti ay umasenso na ang pilipinas..sana bago man lang ako mawala sa mundong ito ay malasap naman ng mga pilipino ang ginhawa sa bansa..
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: Julius
I suggest writing a law with extreme punishment for corruption practices. Death penalty anyone?
Posted 1 year ago # -
it's our President who can make the difference now, now or never, a little lower, minimize, and finally eradicate, corruption is number one, overpopulation or financial wise, more children from poor families who can not afford to raise and educate, as you weird power the Filipinos will see hope.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: john
This comment is an absolute PINOY-mentality. Isinisisi sa gobyerno ang kahirapan, galit sa mayayaman, at demanding pa. Gusto pang turuan ang gobyerno kung paano pamamahalaan ang bansa. And worst, gusto pang duminahan ang business sector na mas lakihan ang ibabayad na buwis. And this is also the absolute reason why there are many so called PROUD-PINOYS are still suffering from poverty. Nasa around 95 million ang populasyon ng Pilipinas, ang problema,, LAHAT MAGALING!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: john
Answer is just simple, It is because of their PINOY-MENTALITY. Im glad to see a comment like yours, very short yet meaningful and logical.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: vhie
…well said @ John…We Filipino must make a difference by changing our habit…Our President took over with a lot of issues and it will not be resolved overnight…team work is needed…and we can do our share by doing what’s best for our self and our country…
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: Tenten baya
Seriously? Martial.law?
Posted 1 year ago # -
how poor our people are ? very very poor, I shamefully but honorably admit, before we belong to the most backward province in the Philippines my classmates used to tease me ‘Palawan’ how I suffer terribly and asked myself why, how come? and just pray one day God will take pity of us now El-Nido is a number one Municipality and Palawan province from number seven classification to number three if I’m not mistaken.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: john
I wanna visit Palawan this year, I heard a lot of great things to see and experience on that province especially El Nido!, patour naman! hehe
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: jee
“Ask not what the country can do for you, but rather ask what you can do for your country”—JFK
I was not born rich. It was too difficult for me to budget my allowance when I was in college. I cried so many times due to hunger. But it did not stop me from dreaming. I took my studies so seriously and less than a month after my graduation, I got a job.
So why blame the government when you are poor?
Posted 1 year ago # -
we must land a job today no matter how humble it is to alleviate our poverty stricken nation. I landed as an assistant in an office, guarded a construction site, a checker, a collector, a salesman, professional medical representative, supervisor, at the same time assume night studies including law course our people must struggle against poverty no matter how difficult it is comes what may.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: sharingan_eyes
no comment.hehehehe
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: jcd
naalala ko dati yung isang speaker na member ata ng GK sa isang PM (prayer meeting) na napuntahan ko. sabi niya (non-verbatim) “Di naman talaga mahirap ang bansa natin. If we were raise able to raise (through generous solicitations) enough money to fund the construction of houses for a community in just a short time, how can we possibly be poor?”
Para sa akin, may punto din siya. Our country as a whole is really not poor. nagkataon lang na ang bulk ng kayamanan ng bayan ay nasa iilang tao lang.regarding poverty, sa tingin ko kaya may naghihirap tayong kababayan dahil sa maraming kadahilanan: KATAMARAN, kakulangan ng oportunidad sa buhay, kaguluhan, kalamidad, KAWALAN NG DISIPLINA, KURAPSYON, atbp. Many to mention ang mga dahilan na naiisip ko. basta ganun..
sa pananaw ko ang pag ahon sa kahirapan ay isang napakahirap at napakadynamic na proseso. walang short cuts at maraming maging balakid. Di natin pwedeng sisihin lagi ang gobyerno natin kung bakit tayo naghihirap, lalo na kung tayo ay tatamadtamad o wala namang disiplina. Matuwa tayo kung may hakbang na ginagawa ang mga nakaka-angat sa buhay upang matulungan tayong umasenso. Pero di pa rin dapat na iasa doon ang buhay natin dahil sa huli kailangan pa rin nating gawin ang parte natin para tuluyan tayong umsenso. kumbaga, gamitin natin ung oportunidad na ibinibigay sa atin (ng gobyerno o ng mga taong may malasakit para sa kapwa) upang umasenso tayo sa buhay.
Gaya rin ng nasabi ng ibang nagcocomment sa post na ito, magtulungan tayong umasenso. (from a neutral perspective) Sa mga nakaka-angat sa buhay, tulungan natin yung mga naghihirap, lalo na yung mga deserving tulungan. At yung mga nahihirapan sa buhay, tulungan natin ang ating mga sarili; magsumikap na umahon, wag tatamad-tamad, maging disiplinado.
(gaya uli ng nabanggit na sa ibang comments dito)
OK lang na maipanganak na mahirap. Ang di OK ay ung hahayaan mo na lang ang sarili mo sa ganung estado ng buhay.Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: wala
I agree.. dapat din tayo ay kumilos huwag tayo aasa sa gobyerno.. sana din yung iba planohin ang pamilya.. huwag nlang mag-asawa kung hindi man lang kya buhayin.. yung mag tulungan sa lebro lang yan at propaganda sa gobyerno.. kumilos nalang tayo ni hindi uma-asa sa iba ni hindi umasa sa pagbabago ng gobyerno kc propaganda lang yan.. kumilos nalang ng walang aasahan.. kumilos at magsikap.. kc wla ng mangyari sa buhay natin kung lagi tayong uma-asa ng tulong.. yung gobyerno ang alam lang nila nyan mag collection ng tax at mangurakot.. tangapin nalang natin na ganun talaga ang buhay.. wlang mangyayari patuloy ang kahirapan.. ganun talaga.. wla ng pag-asa..
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: jhoy
d madali bagohin ang mga nkasanyan na…aminin ntin n mdali ang mgsalita,mahirap gawin…kc own xpernce lng,my kpitbhay kming,mdyo nkakaangat sa buhay,ng ttrabho ako sa knila nun,n kptid ko ngaun,almost 20 yrs n nklipas gnun prin ang sahud,tinaasan sla kunyari,pro nung ngalit ang amo,bilang kinaltasan sahud nla…tama b nman ung,cnabihn ko kptid ko n mg reklamo sla,e ayaw dn kc,khit ppno,nkakabili nrin ng ulam png isang araw…hala,buti nlng d nman gnun khirap fam ko dun,kc nga pinpdalhan ko rin khiy ppano,e pano nman ung iba n wlang gya ko n ngppdala?at isa pa,pinapaglitan sla sa hrap ng mraming tao,n prang d sla tao,pinpakain nman dw ng maaus,bt ppatay ptay sa work…halaaa…dba nkaka wlang gana,mbes n ng ttrbaho ka,gusto mung khit ppno mgka pera,pro tinatrato k nman n prang hayop…prang feelign mo,la kanang pag asa…pro ako kc nun,sabi ko sa sarili ko,d ko hayaan mangyri sa mgs anak ko ung nranasan kung hirap nun…kya khit ppno,dna ako gaano khirap ngaun…kya kpg nkaluwag luwag ako,ng ppdala ako ng pera sa amin with kunting xtra,ipapabili ko ng bigas ky mama pra ibigay dun sa pinka mhirap nming kpitbahay,lalo n ung maraming anak…kc d biro ang m22log kng gu2m,so khit ppno nkatulogn ako khit kunti lng…kya sa sitwasyon ng pinas ngaun…mahirap mg umpis,mahirap,maging mahirap…pro kung strong ang paniniwala ng lahat n mka ahun din sla,mangyayari at mangyyari din un…kya lng sa tingin ko sa karamihan dun,prang n wlan n ng pag asa…
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: poyy
HOw poor is the PH? NExt to Somalia…
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted by unregistered user: DEMOCRAZY
Poor ang pinas ito rin ang kagustuhan ng mga politiko… gusto nila maging bobo ang mga tao dahil syempre kapag bobo madaling mauto ng mga demonyong politiko ang mga tao… Bilyon bilyon ang nakokolekta ng gobyerno sa mga tao taon-taon at bakit kokonti lang ang mga eskwela at classroom? Hindi nababagay ang demokrasya sa isang bansa na puno ng inutil dahil ang mga taong inutil na to ay yung mga taong nabibili ang boto, madaling maniwala sa media, madaling maniwala sa pangako, naniniwala na paboritong pagkain ni sharon ay lucky me…
Posted 1 year ago # -
I am totally agree with what you said,but my English is poor, sometiomes I don't know how to express my feeling,I just want to make some friends who can help me in my English and share the happiness with each other.
_____________________________________Posted 1 year ago #
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