Poverty AlleviationPoverty Alleviationand the PDP LaBANand the PDP LaBAN

The Kunming Declaration The Kunming Declaration serves as the blueprint to lift serves as the blueprint to lift

millions of Filipinos from millions of Filipinos from poverty to middle classpoverty to middle class

by Joey de Venecia IIIby Joey de Venecia III

A Global ProblemA Global Problem

Poverty remains the single biggest problem Poverty remains the single biggest problem facing the world today. Millions of people from facing the world today. Millions of people from developing and/or impoverished countries face a developing and/or impoverished countries face a daily problem of seeking decent shelter and daily problem of seeking decent shelter and sufficient food and water. sufficient food and water.

The Philippine Situation The Philippine Situation

With a population of more than 100 million, half With a population of more than 100 million, half of whom are living below the poverty line, the of whom are living below the poverty line, the Philippines needs to find ways to uplift the Philippines needs to find ways to uplift the masses.masses.

Seeking a Solution Seeking a Solution

From July 13 to 18, this year, 55 political parties from 28 From July 13 to 18, this year, 55 political parties from 28 countries from Asia together with African political parties countries from Asia together with African political parties and various international organizations such as the and various international organizations such as the UNDP and Asian Parliamentary Assembly gathered at UNDP and Asian Parliamentary Assembly gathered at the International Conference of Asian Political Parties the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) in Kunming, Yunnan province. (ICAPP) in Kunming, Yunnan province.

About ICAPPAbout ICAPPInternational Conference of Asian Political PartiesInternational Conference of Asian Political Parties

ICAPP is geared in continuing its role to build an Asian ICAPP is geared in continuing its role to build an Asian community and in the global quest for a more peaceful community and in the global quest for a more peaceful and prosperous world. and prosperous world.

The founding members are Former Philippine Speaker The founding members are Former Philippine Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr., the Late Prime Minister of Pakistan Jose de Venecia, Jr., the Late Prime Minister of Pakistan Benezir Bhutto, Premier Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand, Benezir Bhutto, Premier Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand, Dato Readzibin Sheik Ahmad,Secretary General of Dato Readzibin Sheik Ahmad,Secretary General of Malaysia UMNO Party,Deputy Premier Sok An of Malaysia UMNO Party,Deputy Premier Sok An of Cambodia’s CPP and Congressman Teo Zambuaga, Cambodia’s CPP and Congressman Teo Zambuaga, Deputy Chairman of Indonesia’s Golkar Party.Deputy Chairman of Indonesia’s Golkar Party.

Trip to VillagesTrip to VillagesChuxiong Prefecture Honghe Prefecture

Lessons from the Communist Party Lessons from the Communist Party of China (CPC) of China (CPC)

China is presently one of the China is presently one of the world's biggest economies. It is world's biggest economies. It is only a matter of time before only a matter of time before China overtakes the US and has China overtakes the US and has already passed Japan as the already passed Japan as the most powerful economy in the most powerful economy in the world.world.

Just as the US proved that free Just as the US proved that free market works for them, China is market works for them, China is proving that its own, unique proving that its own, unique brand of communism was the brand of communism was the best way to lift its people out of best way to lift its people out of poverty. poverty.

The Chinese Miracle The Chinese Miracle In the span of one, the CPC from In the span of one, the CPC from 1978- 2009 moved more than 240 1978- 2009 moved more than 240 million Chinese from poverty to middle million Chinese from poverty to middle class status. This is living proof that it class status. This is living proof that it is not the political system, but the is not the political system, but the political will of the CPC that drives a political will of the CPC that drives a nation to First World status.nation to First World status.

China created its own model, one that China created its own model, one that can be followed by any nation with the can be followed by any nation with the necessary political will to succeed necessary political will to succeed economically.economically.

The CPC is involved in every aspect The CPC is involved in every aspect of the Chinese economy and its of the Chinese economy and its presence is felt all the way down to presence is felt all the way down to the barangay level.the barangay level.

How China Alleviated PovertyHow China Alleviated Poverty

Focused on narrowing the income gap between Focused on narrowing the income gap between its urban and rural areas, and between coastal its urban and rural areas, and between coastal and inland regionsand inland regions

Concentrated public investments in its interior Concentrated public investments in its interior regionsregions

Chinese government has reduced agricultural taxes, Chinese government has reduced agricultural taxes, slowed down the conversion of farmlands to other slowed down the conversion of farmlands to other uses, and increased subsidies for laid-off workers. It uses, and increased subsidies for laid-off workers. It even provided free textbooks to rural residentseven provided free textbooks to rural residents

How China Alleviated PovertyHow China Alleviated Poverty

Provided the transfer of Provided the transfer of technology, thereby technology, thereby increasing income increasing income opportunities of farmers opportunities of farmers

Chinese Vice Premier Hui Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu said economic Liangyu said economic construction should never construction should never stop as development is stop as development is the most effective way to the most effective way to reduce povertyreduce poverty

UN Millennium DevelopmentUN Millennium DevelopmentGoalsGoals

1.1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hungerEradicate extreme poverty and hunger Halve the proportion of people living in extreme poverty betweenHalve the proportion of people living in extreme poverty between 1990 and 2015.1990 and 2015.

2.2. Achieve universal primary education.Achieve universal primary education. Achieve universal access to primary education by 2015Achieve universal access to primary education by 2015

3.3. Promote gender equalityPromote gender equalityEliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and in all levels of education no later than preferably by 2005, and in all levels of education no later than 2015.2015.

4.4. Reduce child mortalityReduce child mortality Reduce children under-five mortality rate by two-thirds by 2015.Reduce children under-five mortality rate by two-thirds by 2015.

UN Millennium DevelopmentUN Millennium DevelopmentGoalsGoals

5.5. Improve maternal healthImprove maternal health Reduce by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015 the maternalReduce by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015 the maternal mortality ratio.mortality ratio.

6.6. Combat HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseasesCombat HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseases Halt and reverse the spread of HIV and AIDS by 2015.Halt and reverse the spread of HIV and AIDS by 2015. Halt and reverse the incidence of malaria and other majorHalt and reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases by 2015.diseases by 2015.

7.7. Ensure environmental sustainabilityEnsure environmental sustainabilityImplement national strategies for sustainable development by 2005, to Implement national strategies for sustainable development by 2005, to reverse loss of environmental resources by 2015.reverse loss of environmental resources by 2015.

8.8. Develop a global partnership for DevelopmentDevelop a global partnership for DevelopmentDevelop further an open, rule-based predictable, non-discriminatory Develop further an open, rule-based predictable, non-discriminatory trading and financial system; include a commitment to good governance, trading and financial system; include a commitment to good governance, development, and poverty reduction, both nationally and internationally.development, and poverty reduction, both nationally and internationally.

UN Millennium DevelopmentUN Millennium DevelopmentGoalsGoals

Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary General, called on Asia's General, called on Asia's political leaders to focus on political leaders to focus on efforts to alleviate poverty efforts to alleviate poverty during the Kunming during the Kunming conference in China.conference in China.

Likewise, in the same Likewise, in the same conference, Chinese Vice conference, Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu said Premier Hui Liangyu said poverty alleviation and poverty alleviation and development is a common development is a common challenge for the world.challenge for the world.

UN Millennium DevelopmentUN Millennium DevelopmentGoalsGoals

To jump start the huge task on alleviating To jump start the huge task on alleviating poverty in the region yours truly will urge poverty in the region yours truly will urge leaders attending First All Parties Anti-leaders attending First All Parties Anti-Poverty Summit in China to take a united Poverty Summit in China to take a united stand in urging international lending stand in urging international lending agencies to create an Asian Micro-agencies to create an Asian Micro-Finance Fund and an Asian Anti-Poverty Finance Fund and an Asian Anti-Poverty Fund for millions of poor urban and rural Fund for millions of poor urban and rural families in the region.families in the region.

An Asian Micro-Finance FundAn Asian Micro-Finance Fund

The first is the establishment of an Asian Micro- The first is the establishment of an Asian Micro- Finance Fund -- to be capitalized by subscriptions Finance Fund -- to be capitalized by subscriptions from the ICAPP states, from international lenders, from the ICAPP states, from international lenders, and from non- Asian donor-countries.and from non- Asian donor-countries.

From this Fund, our micro-lending institutions From this Fund, our micro-lending institutions could draw-- to generate jobs and livelihood could draw-- to generate jobs and livelihood opportunities, particularly in the informal economy; opportunities, particularly in the informal economy; to stimulate the entrepreneurial energies of to stimulate the entrepreneurial energies of ordinary people in the urban and rural areas and ordinary people in the urban and rural areas and to create social wealth at rice-roots level.to create social wealth at rice-roots level.

An Asian Anti-Poverty FundAn Asian Anti-Poverty Fund

Like the Micro-Finance Fund, the Anti-Like the Micro-Finance Fund, the Anti-Poverty Fund would be subscribed to by the Poverty Fund would be subscribed to by the ICAPP states and by donor-countries.ICAPP states and by donor-countries.

The Asian Anti-Poverty Fund we envision as The Asian Anti-Poverty Fund we envision as helping the poorest Asian states carry out helping the poorest Asian states carry out coherent, relatively long-term programs to coherent, relatively long-term programs to ease generational poverty.ease generational poverty.

The PDP Laban must take the lead The PDP Laban must take the lead

As one of the country's major political parties whose As one of the country's major political parties whose founders were the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. founders were the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and Former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr; and and Former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr; and having an elected President the late President Cory Aquino; having an elected President the late President Cory Aquino; and having the incumbent Vice President His Excellency, the and having the incumbent Vice President His Excellency, the Honorable Jejomar C. Binay, with governors and mayors and Honorable Jejomar C. Binay, with governors and mayors and other local officials, currently in power, the PDP Laban is in a other local officials, currently in power, the PDP Laban is in a position to play a key role in the government's poverty position to play a key role in the government's poverty alleviation efforts.alleviation efforts.

The tools for success The tools for success

As economic adviser for As economic adviser for PDP Laban, I attended the PDP Laban, I attended the ICAPP Conference and ICAPP Conference and submitted my own submitted my own proposals for economic proposals for economic development in the development in the Philippines.Philippines.

I proposed a two-pronged I proposed a two-pronged approach centered on approach centered on education and technology. education and technology.

The Youth as catalyst for The Youth as catalyst for changechange

Our young should be Our young should be taught to be taught to be nationalists, to love nationalists, to love their country above their country above selves, and to do their selves, and to do their part in the economic part in the economic development of the development of the Philippines. Country Philippines. Country above self should not above self should not be a mere political be a mere political slogan, it should be a slogan, it should be a way of life. way of life.

Technology is the way Technology is the way As part of its agenda, the PDP As part of its agenda, the PDP

Laban should see that our youth Laban should see that our youth of today be given access to the of today be given access to the various technologies that makes various technologies that makes learning easier, and more learning easier, and more substantial.substantial.

An educated and technology An educated and technology savvy youth will set the stage for savvy youth will set the stage for dramatic economic growth for the dramatic economic growth for the Philippines. Not in some far-flung Philippines. Not in some far-flung future, but within this lifetime.future, but within this lifetime.

In fact, the Philippines has 68M In fact, the Philippines has 68M cellphone users and 20M internet cellphone users and 20M internet users most of whom are the users most of whom are the youth.youth.

Philippine Internet andPhilippine Internet andCellphone UsersCellphone Users

Out of the 68 million cell phone users, there are Out of the 68 million cell phone users, there are 15 million with bank accounts. We should 15 million with bank accounts. We should leverage the cellphone users and convert them leverage the cellphone users and convert them into depositors of banks or virtual banks where into depositors of banks or virtual banks where they can get loans.they can get loans.

There are also 20 million internet users. These There are also 20 million internet users. These are mostly ages 16-35 years old – the youth. We are mostly ages 16-35 years old – the youth. We should use the internet as platform for education should use the internet as platform for education but also a way to network with others. The 16-but also a way to network with others. The 16-year olds of today will be voters in 2013, and the year olds of today will be voters in 2013, and the 13- year olds of today will be voting by 2016.13- year olds of today will be voting by 2016.

Philippine Internet andPhilippine Internet andCellphone UsersCellphone Users

Conditional Cash TransferConditional Cash Transfer

The Philippine Government should take The Philippine Government should take advantage of the World Bank (WB) advantage of the World Bank (WB) program on conditional cash transfers for program on conditional cash transfers for the poor in order to incentivize them to the poor in order to incentivize them to work or to go to school among others.work or to go to school among others.

Debt for Equity in MDGDebt for Equity in MDGProjectsProjects

We propose only that the rich countries, We propose only that the rich countries, multilateral institutions, and large commercial multilateral institutions, and large commercial banks plow back into the economies of the banks plow back into the economies of the debtor-countries 50 percent of an agreed-on debtor-countries 50 percent of an agreed-on portion of the debt-service payments due them.portion of the debt-service payments due them.

These payments would be plowed back in the These payments would be plowed back in the form of equity, or other kinds of financial assets, form of equity, or other kinds of financial assets, and channeled toward MDG programs-such as and channeled toward MDG programs-such as reforestation, mass-housing, safe water reforestation, mass-housing, safe water systems, hospitals, infrastructure, or micro-systems, hospitals, infrastructure, or micro-financing.financing.

UN's The Millennium Development UN's The Millennium Development GoalsGoals

At the same time, the PDP Laban expressed its full At the same time, the PDP Laban expressed its full backing for the Kunming Declaration and its full backing for the Kunming Declaration and its full support for the United Nation's Millennium support for the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals.Development Goals.

All governments, parliaments, NGOs, civil society All governments, parliaments, NGOs, civil society and the international community must pursue MDGs and the international community must pursue MDGs to alleviate, if not end, poverty. The resources to alleviate, if not end, poverty. The resources generated by the debt-equity swaps will be used generated by the debt-equity swaps will be used exclusively to fund MDGs-related programs.exclusively to fund MDGs-related programs.

The PDP LABAN Must Take The PDP LABAN Must Take the Lead the Lead

In order to live up to its name -- the party of the In order to live up to its name -- the party of the Philippine masses -- the PDP Laban commits Philippine masses -- the PDP Laban commits itself to supporting such initiatives as the setting itself to supporting such initiatives as the setting up of an Asian Anti-Poverty Fund and an Asian up of an Asian Anti-Poverty Fund and an Asian Micro-Finance Fund. Micro-Finance Fund.

The PDP Laban also supports the final The PDP Laban also supports the final implementation of UN-approved proposals such implementation of UN-approved proposals such as debt swaps to finance MDGs.as debt swaps to finance MDGs.

The PDP LABAN Must Take The PDP LABAN Must Take the Leadthe Lead

The PDP Laban supports re-negotiation of The PDP Laban supports re-negotiation of debt payment to a level that is sustainable debt payment to a level that is sustainable for developing nations, including the for developing nations, including the Philippines.Philippines.

The PDP Laban lauds the Overseas The PDP Laban lauds the Overseas Development Assistance for its role in Development Assistance for its role in alleviating debt.alleviating debt.

For a progressive Republic of the For a progressive Republic of the PhilippinesPhilippines

PDP Laban's vision will be to turn the overwhelming majority PDP Laban's vision will be to turn the overwhelming majority of the Filipino masses into a great middle class. of the Filipino masses into a great middle class.

Just as the US, Canada and Western Europe has done in Just as the US, Canada and Western Europe has done in the recent past, and the People's Republic of China is doing the recent past, and the People's Republic of China is doing now, so too will the Republic of the Philippines become a now, so too will the Republic of the Philippines become a progressive nation where the majority of its citizens will not progressive nation where the majority of its citizens will not live in want. live in want.