I.

INTRODUCTION:

One of the major problems that continue to plaque the Philippines is poverty. Despite the said
efforts of both government and business firms many Filipinos remaining need. It is not a simple problem
because now days we are facing mass poverty. For all the magnificent testimonies to mans
superior skill and intellect in producing todays level of cultural development, he still has to find
the solution to mass poverty. Whether the government would admit it or not, it is very clear
even with our bare eyes that we our suffering a lot from poverty. But what is poverty anyway? Let
first define poverty so we can have a clear understanding with what are we going to
discuss. From a Webster dictionary, poverty means lack of money or material possessions.
While from the book of Villegas entitled Guide to Economics for Filipinos he stated that poverty or
being poor means experiencing a low quality of life deprived of both the material and non-
material requirements that allow an individual to live like a human being. According to Addison
Wesley Economics by Richard M. Hodgess said most of people regard poverty as a
condition in which people are unable to buy the minimal amount of food, clothing and
shelter that is required for existence. Over all there are a lot of ways to define poverty, it depends o n
how the person thinks or how does the person relate it to his life
p e r s o n a l experiences. With all our efforts and patience why did we choose this topic?
Obviously there are a lot more economic problems or short comings could be discussed
and infect lot easier, but our group tend to dig the deepest difficulties face by the Filipinos now a day,
we fell with the same root. That is poverty, bottom line we choose this status quo to begin
with our research because it is significant in relation to current issues in society. It is very
obvious in our bare wide eyes and far cry conscience. To start with we tried to do face to face survey,
observation, documentation and research with the best of our skills. We tried to focus our investigation in
the most vital issues. Lets look at three concepts of poverty: first relative poverty, second
absolute p o v e r t y a n d l a s t p o v e r t y a c c o r d i n g t o t h e p e r c e p t i o n o f t h e p e o p l e t h e m s
elves.Relative poverty pertains to those whose income or consumption share is
a t t he bott o m 4500 or t he popula t i on. Abs ol ut e pove rt y me a s ur e s the ca pa c it y
t o m e e t specific minimum needs. This refers to the commonly used phrase poverty
lines.A n d t h e l a s t t y p e m e a s u r e s p o v e r t y a c c o r d i n g t o p e r c e i v e d m i n i m u m n e e d
s t h e satisfaction of which would make a family consider itself as being non-
poor. We based our research more on the second and third concept. The threshold Family income is the
level of incomes that provides at least the minimum requirements consistent with the dignity
of the workers and his family as h u m a n b e i n g s . I t i s a b o v e w h a t n e e d e d f o r m e r e
s u r v i v a l a n d s h o u l d t h e r e f o r e provide enough food, clothing, shelter, education, health and
personal care, security savings for emergencies, savings for unemployment and old age, and
eventually, something a man can call his own, a piece of property. In this topic we tried to cultivate the
main reason or roots of poverty. We tried to witness the undying agony of the poor. We tried to
listen with their long vulgar emotions that pulling them apart from success yet continuously pushing
them to the deepest level of poverty line. We tried to analyze the different perception of human b e i n g s
a b o u t t h e i r w a y o f l i v i n g . We t r i e d t o e m p h a s i z e t h e c a u s e s a n d e f f e c t o f poverty.
Less that we could do we tried to give some ways how to eliminate poverty. W h a t a r e t h e t h i n g s
w e c o u l d d o t o n e i t h e r h a v e a b e t t e r l i v i n g n o r s o m e h o w eliminate
poverty? But the biggest question left unanswered. Can we still eliminate poverty? Was there a chance
for survival? Most of all the huge echo that stroke us left our hearts with pain and hope. Whos to blame
with our sufferings, whichs to blame?

With our unending despair? Is it the government fault? Or are we all responsible
for these shame and despair were facing?
II. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
1. Why Philippines is drowning in poverty?
2. Are you experiencing lack of financial assistance or material needs right now?
3. What are the different difficulties face by the Filipinos that lead to poverty?
4. What can we do to escape or somehow eliminate poverty?

Why Philippines is drowning in poverty?

News articles from a range of years had identical the same write-
ups about poverty, no changes at allits still as rampant as of 2001 up to now.
And they had similar reasons why it still goes on. Urban bias in public investment for
infrastructurea n d p r o v i s i o n o f s a f e t y n e t s ; i m p l i c i t t a x a t i o n o f a
gricultural products and anovervalued exchange rate; direct
t a x a t i o n o f a g r i c u l t u r a l e x p o r t s a n d i m p o r t s subsidies; subsidies
for capital intensive technologies; favoring export crops
over f o o d c r o p s ; b r e a k d o w n o f l a w a n d o r d e r ; i l l d e fi n e d p r o p
erty right or unfair enforcement of rights to agricultural lan
d a n d o t h e r n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s ; h i g h concentration of land
ownership; corrupt politicians and rent-seeking government officials; poor
employment throughout the country; unsuccessful rationalizing of the allocating
government assistance; lack of opportunity; lack of security; and lack
of empowerment, are among the thousands of reasons given by the news articles
we had researched-including the surveys we conducted, that causes
poverty to our country and to us Filipinos, individually. Base on the survey we
had conducted, we heard and known what our fellow Filipinos assume as
reasons or causes of poverty in the Philippines. Same answers came out
such as: because of graft and corruption, the way or system practice by
our government officials, poor governance of the administration, lack of education,
lack of investment, unemployment, underemployment, overpopulation, no
cooperationamong Filipinos, idleness and lack of discipline. On our face to face
survey, we asked the Filipinos such question as Why Philippines is
drowning in poverty? Based on the result, out of 135 despondences, 38%
of it believes that corruption is the reason of poverty. 19% believe that
lack of government support, 18% believe its because of over population. While the
16%
of i t s a i d t h a t i t i s b e c a u s e o f o u r o w n f a u l t , c o n s i d e r i n g t h a
t w e h a v e b o u n t i f u l resources yet we dont know how to use it properly, it is
also obvious to each one of u s t h a t w e l a c k d i s c i p l i n e , w e d o n t f o l l o w
t h e l a w s i n o u r h o m e l a n d a n d w e a r e contented where we are, we dont
even tried to strive for a change. 5% of it said it is because of unemployment, so
the families suffer from hunger and lack of basic needs s i m p l e b e c a u s e t h e y
dont have enough income. The other 3% stated that it is because
of lack of education and the last 1% claim that it is because of
l a c k o f investment. We follow up it with such question as Are you experiencing
lack of financial
assestance or lack material things right now? Same 13
5 d e s p o n d e n c e s , n o t surprisingly 107 number of despondences or 79% of
it said YES without a blink of an eye. Amazingly 28 number of despondences
or 21% of it answered NO. It is clear now that higher number of Filipinos
is experiencing lack of fi nancial support and lack of material needs. As a
result we tried to question the society how did they come up with such
answer. We tried to picture out their everyday way of living, seems like we
were watching a film. That was and still their opinion and perception
about poverty. Let us now flip the coin, if there were causes of poverty of course
there were effects of i.e. tried to swim into the deepest effect of poverty to families,
to children, to working men and women, to students, to government employees, to
ordinary citizen and to those people who claim the street as their hell of paradise.
Whether we like it or not, admit or not, poverty strikes in us all. Lets fi rst
discuss the effect of the main cause, as they said it loud and clear, CORRUPTION.

*CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF POVERTY*

A. CORRUPTION:
25 % of the Annual National Budget ends up in corruption. (PS Link)Philippines is the most
corrupt in Asia (PERC, 2007)
The effect of corruption on the poor can be gauged through both its direct impact,
(example, increasing the cost of public services, lowering their quality and often all
together restricting for peoples access to such essential services as water, health and
education.) and the indirect impact (example, diverting public resources away from social
sectors and the poor, and through limiting development, growth and poverty reduction), while this
impacts negatively on most of the segment of society, its suggested that the poor are more vulnerable both
in terms of being easy targets for being subjected to extortion, bribery, double-standards and
intimidations as well as in terms of being hit by the negative impact of corruption, there is also countrys
overall development
processes.C o r r u p t i o n a f f e c t s i n c o m e i n e q u a l i t y a n d p o v e r t y : a s w e l l a s e c o n o m i c e
fficiency corruption can also have distributional consequences. This affects income inequality and
poverty by reducing economic growth, the progressives of the tax
s yste m, the level and effectiveness of social progra ms, and b y perpetuating an
unequal distribution of asset ownership and unequal access to education.

B. LACK OF GOVENRMENT SUPPORT:

Government support for the public educational system has been declining and this is
manifested by the severe shortages besetting the sector. We have small and f i l t h y
classrooms, we conquer poor education as a result we beca me poorer
a n d poorer. The government lack of support affects our daily life, we encounter
poor i n f r a s t r u c t u r e , h e a v y t r a f f i c s d u e t o p o o r q u a l i t y o f o u r r o a d s , u n e m p l o y m e
n t , spreading diseases, expensive medicines, high tuition fees, high cost of living, and
taxes. Not only to that just last year the whole country was shocked and panicked w i t h
t h e n ew s t h at ca me t o t ow n. We ha d h ad a ri c e s hort ag e, h ow co me
w e encountered that, considering that our country is blessed by abundant natura
lr e s o u r c e s ; w e h a v e a g o o d l a n d f o r a g r i c u l t u r e . B u t o f c o u r s e d u e
t o l a c k o f government support we cant have a better use of it. Hence that government doesnt give
enough support to our farmers for agriculture. If we give this amount to our farmers in the
form of fertilizers, insecticide, seedlings, irrigation and other support services, they will be
able to produce more than the required rice supply.

C. OVER POPULATION:
O v e r p o p u l a t i o n h a s n u m e r o u s d e t r i m e n t a l c o n s e q u e n c e s , m a i n l y t o t h e env
ironment and to the society. Nature is finite, and therefore, can only support limited
number of individuals. Natural resources like food, water, and even energy a r e s l o w l y
r u n n i n g o u t b e c a u s e o f t h e i n c r e a s i n g c o n s u m p t i o n r a t e . O n t h e o t h e r hand, the
number of garbage people are producing is escalating, which leads to land, air, and water pollution. The
overpopulation crisis also gives way to shortage of jobs, supplies, space.

D. LACK OF EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

1 in 10 Filipinos has never gone to school (6.8 million) (Education Network Quick Stats,
2003)
1 in 6 Filipinos is not functionally literate (9.6 million),
4.1 million Filipinos are complete illiterate.
1 in 3 children/ youth is not attending school (11.6 million)
About half (51%) of Filipinos had Elementary Education at most among poor Filipinos, only about 70%
can read, write and compute.
Only a little over half (54.3%) are fully literate
Among non-poor Filipinos, 45.3% have completed at least basic education.
In contrast, only 14.3% have achieved this level of education among the rural poor Filipinos.
According to IBON Foundation
One more child out of every 10 school-age children was not able to go to
school, highlighting the need for higher government spending in social services. Figures
from the Department of Education (DipEd) show that participation rate at the elementary level, or the
percentage of children aged 7-12 who are enrolled in public and private elementary schools, has fallen
from 96.95% in SY 1999-2000 to 83.22%in SY 2006-2007. At the secondary level, only 58.59%
of children aged 13-16 were enrolled in high schools in SY 2006-2007 from 65.43% in SY 1999-
2000. Copy from Census-based projections, the net participation rate of education in
elementary was83.22% as of school year 2006-2007.

E. UNEMPLOYMENT:
When a responsible father cant give his familys basic needs he come across self-destruction
and he feel dump. The effect of unemployment is not only seen in the hopeless face of the
jobless but also to the way of living of his children. J o b l e s s n e s s i s c e r t a i n t o i n c r e a s e t h i s
y e a r a n d i n 2 0 0 9 a n d a d d t o t h e 4 . 1 million unemployed estimated to include the jobless
statistically removed from the labor force to lower officially reported figures and 6.8 million
underemployed as of 200. IBON feature

F. LACK OF INVESTMENT:
The effect of lack of invest me nt is clear and seen to our economic crisis.
Since the reputation of our country is more likely unenviable to investors we lack the income for our
economic growth. Investors have a doubt in investing their businesses in our country and relying to
our governments ability to support them with their transactions. As a result we now have
a huge number of Filipinos with no jobs or income.

G. LACK OF DISCIPLINE AND IDLENESS:

Filipinos have difficulty dealing with all forms of impersonal stimuli. For this reason one
is uncomfortable with bureaucracy, with rules and regulations, and with standard
procedures--all of which tend to be impersonal. We ignore them or we ask for
exceptions. Our lack of discipline often results in inefficient and wasteful work systems,
the violation of rules leading to more serious transgressions, and a casual work ethic leading
to carelessness and lack of follow-through. We are impatient and unable to delay gratification or reward,
resulting in the use of short cuts, skirting the rules (the Palest Syndrome) and in foolhardiness. We
are guilty of Ninjas cogon, starting out projects with full vigor and interest which
abruptly die down, leaving things unfinished. Kanya-Kanya Syndrome
. Filipinos have a selfish, self-ones peers, who seem to have gained
some status or prestige. Towards them, the Filipino demonstrated the so-called "crab
mentality", using the levelling instruments of Times, intrigue and unconstructive criticism
to bring others down. There seems to be a basic assumption that another's gain is our loss.
Some Filipinos are contented with their life now, they are always blaming and cursing others but they
dont see their own faulty. Some are too lazy to find a job or to strive for a better living
thats why they become poorer and poorer.

H. CHILD LABOR
I t i s t h e c h i l d r e n t h a t s u f f e r m o s t f r o m p o v e r t y. E v e r y d a y w e s e e a h u g e
number of children wandering the dangerous street of Manila selling cigarettes,
candies, rags, or even wiping your shoes when you ride in on a jenny then asking for alms.
It is very crucial and heart breaking to witness. Yet sometimes we ignore in result they suffer a
lot more. Every child has the right to the most basic of necessities in life like a healthy environment,
formal education, and most importantly, a loving family to come home to. Yet, poverty hinders the
child to any of these things and forces labor in farming fields, mining shafts and peddling
in the busy and dangerous streets of the country. The child has the right to be protected
from work that threatens his or her health, education or development. The State shall set
minimum wages for employment and regulate working conditions.

I. CRIME:
In everyday life we wont last a day without even single news about crime. It seems like our
country is known in such remorseless situation. Around the busy m e t r o m a n i l a , w e
c o m e t o h e a r i t e v e r y m i n u t e , s o m e o n e h a d s n a t c h e d h e r b a g , someone took her
wallet or someone just died because of hold up. When a culprit is being caught by the authorities
the only reason that blurts out to his mouth why he has done such crime is because of
poverty. He was desperate enough for him to commit such crime or to kill. Then whos to blame?

IV. WHO IS TO BLAME?

The result of our survey intrigues us most Filipinos believe that it is
o u r government fault why are we drowning in poverty. Seems like our government officials
are feeding us ashes and fire that tends to sink in our bones. And eventually they will pour us a dirty
water to drink, ample amount of food to eat and stink place to live with in order for us to
survive.
T h e s h o r t c o m i n g o f e v e r y F i l i p i n o i s t h r o w n b a c k t o t h e g o v e r n m e n t Th
esef i n d i n g s , b a s e d o n e m p i r i c a l a n a l y s i s , h o l d f o r c o u n t r i e s w i t h v a r y i n g g r o w t h
experiences at different stages of development, and using various indi
c e s o f corruption (used to compare the correlation of corruption with real per capital GDP, Gini
coefficient and quintile in come shares, etc.). In a cross-section of 37 countries, significant impact of
corruption on inequality was found, while taking into account various other exogenous
variables. When controlling for GDP per head, this impacts remains significant at a 10% level. It
was conclude that deterioration in a countrys c o r r u p t i o n i n d e x o f 2 . 5 p o i n t s o n a
s c a l e o f 0 t o 1 0 i s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e s a m e increase in the Gini coefficient as a reduction
in average secondary schooling of
2.4y e a r s . R e s e a r c h e r s h a v e a l s o t e s t e d v a r i o u s i n s t r u m e n t a l v a r i a b l e s t o a s c e r t a i
n whether the relationship between corruption and inequality is not a case of reverse
causality.
For some Filipinos they do believe that poverty shouldnt be blame ing
overnment alone. A tiny voice said that, dont blame the government entirely for poverty.
In the Marcos Administration, people complain they cant get a job because of Marcos. In Corys
Administration, people complain they cant get a job because of Pres. Aquino. Were sure that its the
same with Ramos and Estradas regime, and up to Arroyos administration. So why blame our
government? Even if Bush, Clinton or whoever a great leader rules this country, people will
never get a job, will never be financially free if he keeps on blaming on someone else. A rich person gets
wealthy because of himself and no other. We are also the reason why we experience poverty. For example:
if you think that you couldnt support your family very well because your salary was not big, you must
not produced many children, because for sure you couldnt support all the needs t h e y n e e d e d . I n a
s q u a t t e r s a r e a , t h e y e x p e r i e n c e p o v e r t y b u t s t i l l t h e y h a v e b i g family and many
mouths to feed. Another; if you were a big man instead of doing nonsense why dont you find
a job for your family. Is it our governments fault or every individuals fault? Think of it. When cofound
out the answer we suggest that you should do a change.

V. CONCLUSION:
Poverty in the Philippines is experienced nationwide among the group
o f urban and rural people, poverty is never been out of the main problem in our society a n d o n o u r
d a i l y l i v e s . I f w e a r e g o i n g t o r e v i e w a l l o f o u r i n v e s t i g a t i o n a n d d a t a collections
it is undeniable that the poor getting poor and there is no vivid reason why we encounter this. If were
just let our eyes wide open with our heart and mind that are willing to understand we can see the
itinerant peddlers and sidewalk vendors who carry their waves around. It is very rampant and very
pathetic, along with their semi-static hawkers in semi fixed locations who stay along
pavements and sidewalk and w h o c l i p t h e i r w a v e s o n t h e w a l l a n d s t a t i c h a w k e r s i n
m o r e o r l e s s p e r m a n e n t locations in kiosks around market places, sidewalks and empty
lots. Beyond this circumstances we can also see those children trying to sell cigarettes or wipe our feet
when we ride on in a public transportation, the family that sleep in the street, the victims of
poverty that became a master in street eventually end up dead in their own existence. But why are we
experiencing lack of financial assistance and lack of material or basic needs? For us it is like a cycle it
first started in corruption where in it affects our basic needs in life. It kills our rights and chances of better
living. It pulls us away from our dream. Corruption has a huge impact on the poor and on poverty
reduction. I t p r o c e s s e s h a s n o w b e e n r e a s o n a b l y w i d e l y
d i s c u s s e d . S o , i n a d d i t i o n t o t h e negative impact of corruption, there is also an
element of disproportional. A l o t o f people are now saying that its hard for them to
survive a day and they all blame it to the government. At present our government is facing
a lot of anomalies and controversies and b e c a u s e o f t h i s t h e p e o p l e e s p e c i a l l y t h o s e
w h o a r e e x p e r i e n c i n g p o v e r t y r i g h t n o w a r e saying that Philippines wont solve its problem
as long as the corrupt officials remain seated on their position. There are several causes of poverty, some
of these are lack of education,
corruption,d e p l e t i o n o f n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s , p o p u l a t i o n g r o w t h , l a c k o f j o b o p p o r t u n
i t i e s , l a c k o f government support, lack of investment, laziness of the citizens and lack of
discipline and many other reason .a
ND inequality. The general recession and the contraction in the labor market in the crisis of
today world causes declining labor productivity and rising underemployment, which hurt the poor h a r d .
Poverty can also be observed in terms of malnutrition, lack of education, low
l i f e expectancy, high child mortality and substandard housing. Poverty is highly correlated with
landlessness .Most of the destitute mix many different ways of earning a living. The use of the term
minimum highlights the limitations of the government definition of poverty. The government
considers only minimum survival standards to measure poverty, thus capturing only those who are
desperately poor and cannot meet e v e n t h e i r m o s t b a s i c n e e d s . B u t t h o s e i n d i v i d u a l s
a n d f a m i l i e s w h o f a i l t o m e e t decent living standards should also be considered poor.
For example, a family with one or two minimum wage earners whose income fail to meet
their needs are also poor, even if their income is above governments poverty line. In the
Philippines, the range of the number of families living in poverty has been widening and
the entire range itself has been increasing. Being poor means experiencing a llow quality of
life deprived of both the material and non-material requirement that allow an individual to live like a
human being.
VI. SUGGESTION:
For our own sake how can we help our country get out poverty to makes our life a little brighter to live?

There is a certain process in which poor people remain poor in society. The
unfortunate continues to run in the rat cage of poverty unless a revolution is done to break the cycle.
Its tragic how the wealth of this world is so unevenly divided and then how people can go on
living each day in their own selfish, abundant riches and take so many things for granted. But
despite of that, people who have nothing at all are still so happy; they continue to just
praise the Lord for life itself and continue to pour their hearts out, give all they have and
more for the glory of God. This is the attitude we need to have.
Poverty dehumanizes and hinders self-determination .The crusade against poverty insurgent because we
are dealing with human beings whose dignity is inviolable. The solution to poverty must be fundamental
enough to allow the poor to exercise their freedom to improve their life. The existence of the informal
economy proves the Poors enterprise. Poverty can be eliminated by pursuing a strategy that uses
the Poors most abundant asset, labor and that ensures an adequate level of basic services
provided by the government.
It is quite surprising how our country Philippines, blessed by bountiful natural resources and profuse
citizen that may contribute for the development of our country, is hardly pushed to poverty. Philippines is
not really poor, its just that we dont know h o w t o u s e i t a p p r o p r i a t e l y a n d h o w t o
c u l t i v a t e t h e g i f t s b l e s s e d u p o n u s . B y considering those gifts bestowed
u p o n o u r c o u n t r y, w h y n o t u s e t h e m a s k e y s i n escaping or somehow subsidizing poverty.
There are many factors that if well going to think about, it will certainly help a lot for attaining
zero poverty. One factor is c o o p e r a t i o n a m o n g a l l F i l i p i n o s , i n c l u d i n g
t h e g o v e r n m e n t o f f i c i a l s . W h y n o t cooperate and unite to think as one for our country to
progress. Another key factor needed for surviving poverty is education. The government
n e e d s t o g i v e p r i or to e d uc a ti o n a l s t at u s o f o ur c o u nt r y.As t h e
o l d c l i c h goes-Education is the key to successes. Once a Filipino is educated, he can contribute lot
in attaining improvement for our country. Children are meant to be nurtured and loved but we see them
with a stack of newspapers on one hand and packs of cigarettes on the other. Article 32 of Rights of a
Human Child RA7658 (Prohibition of Employment of Children) should be more properly
implemented in our country. To stop this injustice dealt out to our children,
existing laws should be followed with strict implementation and dedic
a t e d commitment. Let us not allow the future of these children, the future of our country
to wither and die away. Our country, our society, each person can do something. Our help might not
end child-labor today, but it could start, with Gods grace, a healing force which will
renew our ailing society tomorrow. One thing more important factor for subsidizing poverty is the
reformation of our countrys financial infrastructure. By developing our infrastructure and utilities, the
government should offer a multiple job opportunities for the jobless Filipinos and will afford them
ample income to fund their basic needs without enough sayings to both. And if the government
can successfully provide opportunities, it would be more helpful in subsidizing poverty if those
theyre going to hire took re-orientation And r e - e d u c a t i o n f o r t h e m t o i m p r o v e t h e i r
a b i l i t y a n d q u a l i t y a s p u b l i c s e r v a n t s a s assurance for their effective contribution in taking a
lift of our countrys situation.
P h i l i p p i n e s s h o u l d n e e d t o u p g r a d e i t s b u s i n e s s c l i m a t e t o a l l u r e f o r e i g n investor
s in investing in our homeland. The government should improve political stability, overcome
corruption and uplift the level of governance to make the country attractive to its
investors.T h e p r o b l e m o f o v e r p o p u l a t i o n m u s t t h e r e f o r e , b e a d d r e s s e d u r g
e n t l y . T h e government should provide information about birth control methods and
about the damaging effects of overpopulation, especially to those in the lower class area
of society. Family planning might be contrary to the stand of the Catholic Church, but the
Church should be separated from the state. Like the Church, the government also should make citizens
aware of their stand regarding birth control. The public should have enough information regarding the
stands of both sides, and who they decide to follow is already up to them. The effects of the economic
downturn must be countered by stimulating the economy through expansionary and, importantly, equity-
building policies. This includes:
1. Providing immediate emergency food, income and work relief.
2. Increasing public spending on health care, basic education and housing for the people and restoring real
per capita social services spending to at least 1997 levels.
3. Increasing public spending on labor-intensive and rural infrastructure projectsthat will directly improve
people's livelihoods.
4. Public resources can be freed by:
Suspending debt payments. This can begin with, but not be restricted to, debt toforeign creditors
receiving bail-outs from their governments. Drastically reducing military spending.
Cracking down on corruption. This is especially critical to prevent leakages into politicians' electoral
war chests for 2010.
5. Giving priority to Filipino producers in government procurement and aid-funded projects.
6. Implementing a P125 across the board nationwide wage hike and a PhP3, 000increase in government
salaries.
7. Removing the VAT on oil products and increasing taxation of wealth, luxury goods and services, and
on unproductive assets and transactions.
8. Reducing interest rates while ensuring that credit remains available.There is also a need to immediately
stabilize capital flows with capital controls, especially against outflows right now, and supporting the
exchange rate. Capital controls must be used to defend against speculative attacks or financial
transactions not related to trade and production.
RESEARCH
PAPER
(About Poverty on Philippines)

BY:
Nambatac, Arjay
Cadotdot, Rian Jade
Tabal, Vergel
Daig, Rhea May
Abas, Lalaine
Gumadlas, Clint
Monton, Rolyn
Suello, Stephanie
Cabsag, Jenie
Hermoso, Jerome
Harnaiz, Ely john
Togonon, Irene