The poverty problem must be solved
The suicide of 12-year old Marianeth Amper in
Marianeth’s case underscores the paradox that extreme poverty abounds even in a progressing economy like the
Anywhere in the world, the problem of inequality is compounded by increased globalization and trade. Asian Development Bank’s chief economist Ifzal Ali, says that “Intensifying competition, rapid adoption of new technologies and freer capital flows diminish the bargaining power of workers”. They now compete in a global arena, where the best education, job skills and connections count. This global development further worsens the plight of the less skilled and disadvantaged.
In our country, more than 50 percent of the labor force or roughly 16.1 million Filipino workers, mostly unskilled workers and agricultural laborers earn P5,000 – 8,000 (P33-53 per person per day), an income level that hovers around the 2007 poverty threshold pegged at P40 per person per day, according to the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB). The workers’ low income, combined with high prices of goods and services, continues to fuel poverty and hunger in the country.
Through the years, our government has undertaken several steps to address the problem of hunger and poverty. A study on the economic growth of
Like any government, there is imbalance and nothing is perfect in any country. Otherwise, some would be out of this world. Any persistent problem must be tracked down like a prey in focus, an enemy in battle. Our goal is to uplift the man at the bottom of the economic pyramid. Let us look after our neighbors in need. We may be able to help in simple, non-expensive ways. On the other hand, the poor should be men enough to uplift themselves from the quagmire. As long as people are alive and strong, there is always hope.
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