Facts and figures

There has been economic growth, but there has also been poverty growth. Unfortunately, economic growth in terms of GDP has not translated into a reduction in poverty. On the contrary, according to the National Statistic Coordination Board’s own statistics, the incidence of poverty has increased.

The most recent numbers that we have seen were presented by the NSCB on June 2009; the report covered 2006. The report showed statistics for eight of the fourteen identified impoverished sectors; included were farmers, fisherman, women, youths, migrant workers, children, urban poor and senior citizens. There were some overlaps in the sectors. From 2003 to 2006 incidence in poverty increased in all sectors. The three sectors that had the highest incidence of poverty were fishermen (49%), farmers (44%) and children (40.8%). In terms of overall numbers, there are 14.4 million poor children; 12.8 million poor women; and 6.9 million urban poor.

According to the statistics published by the World Bank 22.6% of the Philippine population lives on less than $1.25 a day. 45% of the Philippine population lives on less than $2.00 a day. The most comprehensive numbers that we have at our disposal are from 2006, and even then these are slightly limited. As has been pointed out, and is born out by these numbers, the highest incidence of poverty is found among rural fisherman and farmers. That situation must be addressed; the way to do it is to reinvest in our agriculture sector. Reinvest in education, in infrastructure, in training and in making credit easily available. In terms of our children, the quality of education they are receiving only further impoverishes their situation. We hope that our next administration makes it a priority to ascertain the actual state of the Philippines. We must know what the true situation is, and use that knowledge to create viable solutions.

While it is well and good to tout broader economic gains, we must also be aware that those gains may not be felt by a part of the population. Economic growth and GDP growth is good. What would be better is not poverty growth, but poverty reduction.

 In uncovering truth and identifying problems information is of paramount importance. Conceptually then, information must be readily available to the public. As they say, transparency is the bane of corruption. In this we support the passing of the Freedom of Information Act. The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization National Committee of the Philippines had this to say: 

“A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (FOI) POLICY that upholds access to information is essential to bolster government efforts in accountability and transparency. Corruption denies people their human rights. The next administration should make the ungratified FOI Bill in the House of Representatives a priority for the 15th Congress. The ability of government officials and employees to facilitate public access to information may be considered a requirement for civil service eligibility or promotion. Resources for public domain information should be developed in all media and promoted through school and adjunct learning systems.”

The information of the government (with a few exceptions) is the domain of the public. After all, the government operates by the sufferance of the people. It is our right to know what is going on. Investigative journalism, which is supposed to be the cornerstone of journalism, struggles in the face of stonewalls and withheld information. Hopefully, its passing will spur more in-depth into questionable government practices. Corruption denies people their human rights and their dignity. Transparency and freely accessible information is an antidote to corruption (along with appropriate judicial action). We urge our lawmakers to pass the Freedom of Information Act.

Information helps provide a fuller picture of what is actually going-on. There may be GDP growth, but there has been poverty growth. Corruption flourishes where there is a lack of transparency. There is a connection between corruption and self-interest and poverty. The FOI is a needed tool in combating corruption.