Competitive

Advantage of the
Philippines
(Human Resources, Strong Civil
Society and Women in Nation
Building)

Albar.
Dhillon.
Ferolino.
Guanzon. Jaro. Sio. Yubion.

Human Resources

The Philippines has been known

for a labor that is

Well educated

Highly adaptable

Trainable

Good command of English

Cost effective

Large availability of manpower

The Philippines has a

reasonable chance of leading in
East Asia

Strong Civil Society

Civil Society

Non-governmental organizations
(NGOs)

Peoples organization (POs)

Ideological forces (IFs)

Academe

Church

Media

Business
Civil society entities organizations that intersect with the domain
of the state but are not part of the state apparatus

Civil Society in the Philippines

Alive and well

Considered as the most vibrant as evidenced in the

history - succeeded in installing two governments into
power: Aquino (1986) and Arroyo (2001)

Pro-active role in promoting the common good

Advocates political reforms and reduces social tensions

Evolution of Philippine Civil

Society
Cultural movements and civil society organizations
have a long tradition in the Philippines.

1896 revolution that ended the Spanish colonialism

1986 revolution which ended the authoritarian rule

under Ferdinand Marcos ; 1986 Constitution

Local Government Code of 1991

Adoption of Philippine Agenda 21 (PA 21)

People Power II

Local NGO Movements

Philippine NGO sector has developed a strong reputation
for the delivery of basic services to the urban and rural
poor.
- Philippine Council for NGO Certification
NGO participation in governance:

Power of recall

Monitoring elections

Local development councils

NGOs in other local special bodies

NGOs today confront more complex issues

such as globalization, labor migration and
government cooperation or co-opetition,
long term NGO viability,
professionalization, funding and new
models of support, as well as institutional
developments brought about by the growth
and maturity of the NGO sector.

Local Business and Philanthropic

Organizations
Philanthropic Organizations organized entities such as
corporations, foundations, or associations that generate and
manage resources drawn from the membership, original
benefactor or founders for charitable, civic and social
purposes

Rotary Club, Lions Club and Kiwanis Club

Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Bishops and

Businessmens Conference (BBC) for Human Development
and Associations of Foundation

Makati Business Club and Philippine Business Conference

of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(PCCI)

National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL)

Pro - poor programs

- promoted by Philippine business, which works
closely with government agencies and civil
society

Improving access to high

quality basic education and
technical training programs

Microcredit

Social housing

Health and nutrition programs

Women in Nation Building

Dominant role at home

Women are identified to home, bearing and nurturing

of children.

In-charge of allocating limited resources of the

household.

Women already enjoyed a certain degree of

economic independence.

Women have been contributing both to the

household and to national economy.

The Evolving Filipino Women

Filipino women were the first to modernize in Asia.

Higher level of completed schooling

Participated in labor force before marriage

Filipinas becoming family-heads and new

breadwinners

Women as Professionals
Top 10 professions for Filipino Women
Source: Professional Regulation Commission (June 2001.)
Profession
% share to
Total no. of
Total no. of
total no. of
men
women
women
professionals
Teacher

44.8

58,402

315,510

Midwife

17.4

449

122,783

CPA

8.6

43,070

60,810

Physician

5.6

45,472

39,390

Nurse

4.1

37,685

28,867

Dentist

3.6

12,140

25,639

Civil Engineer

1.9

76,050

13,738

Social Worker

1.7

642

11,844

Chemical
Engineer

1.7

11,215

11,797

Nutrition

1.5

128

10,764

Women as Business Owners and

Firm Heads

Many Filipino women acquired social status through business.

Exposure of Filipino women to certain social and economic

forces in the society was responsible for drawing them into the
profit oriented system and the rewards it offers.

Women are now more actively participating not only in one but
in several other businesses concerns and also in the corporate

Women-owned business can be found in all sectors

but majority were in manufacturing, garments,
jewelry and furniture; followed by marketing and
real-estate sectors.

Female-led firms accounted for over P7 billion in

asset and tend to be more labor-intensive.

More than half of the total 34,439 employment

provided by 75 local firms went to women.

Although majority of firms are male dominated, it is

not a hindrance to career development and have
equal opportunities with their male counterparts.

Women in Politics and

Governance

Filipino women were given

the right to vote.

12.9% of the seats in

parliament were held by
women, 17% of those in
government were women.

Filipino womens political

participation is higher
than those of other Asian
neighboring countries.

Reference:

Villegas, Bernardo M. "Competitive Advantage of the Philippines."

The Philippine Advantage. Manila, Philippines: University of Asia
and the Pacific, 2001. 57-107. Print.