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Key Social, Political and Economic Issues in the
Philippines: for Consideration by Migrant Donors
Fernando T. AldabaAteneo de Manila University
2nd National Conference on Filipino Migrant Philanthropy
August 1 and 2, 2007
Outline of Presentation
Key Economic, Political and Social Issues
Initiatives to Address Some Issues Priority Issues Issues Spawning Labor Migration Possible Donee Institutions Caveats and Recommendations to
Donors
Two Faces of the Economy Some “positive” indicators – fiscal
deficit managed, financial markets booming, low inflation, increasing FDI & remittances and continuous economic growth
But “negative” signs - unemployment/ underemployment, self-rated poverty, hunger and falling local investments
“An Economy of Contradictions”…... Ciel Habito, Former Director General of NEDA
The Flaws of our Political System
Continued graft and corruption in key agencies
Lack of transparency and accountability in governance
Regulatory capture – agencies captured by vested interests
The weakness of the electoral processes – prone to cheating and manipulation of results
The Flaws of our Political System
Dynasties and traditional politics Armed conflict Worsening human rights
situation, particularly extra-judicial killings of journalists and activists of the left
Apathy or withdrawal from political engagement especially at the national level
Social Problems and Issues
Poverty and inequalityHunger and malnutritionDeteriorating educational
systemHigh population growth
rates and poor health indicators
Social Problems and Issues
Lack of shelter and housing especially in urban areas
Lack of access to water and sanitation
Increasing vulnerability to natural, man made disasters and other social risks
Eight Major Social Risks Unemployment and
underemployment (11.5 million people affected)
Vulnerability due to large family size (3.95 million HH with > 5 members)
Food insecurity (29-34% food poverty incidence; 3.4 million HH hungry – SWS, 70% of all HH food insecure –NNS, 2003)
Vulnerability to armed conflict (2 million displaced, 2000-2006 in Mindanao)
Eight Major Social Risks Vulnerability to natural disasters
(7.9. million affected, 2006) Lack of shelter and housing (1.4
million squatters; only 66.5% of HH with secure tenure)
Lack of access to clean water and sanitation (16 million people have no access to clean water)
Health and illness :13 million have hypertension (RP Society of Hypertension, 2004) ; 88.2 deaths (heart diseases) 62.3 (vascular system) 48.8 (malignant neo-plasm) per 100,000 (WHO 2002)
Economic Interventions
Transforming remittances into investments to sustain economic growth – Financial Literacy Initiatives (e.g. ERCOF, PCPS-EPRA, BSP)
Broadening the benefits of economic growth – Greater access to credit by MFIs and SMEs (e.g. CARD, Negros Womens’ Foundation)
Economic Interventions “Decentralizing” economic
growth – support for local infrastructure and local investments (e.g. Local Bonds, ERCOF)
Economic reforms to sustain and democratize economic growth (e.g. Action for Economic Reforms, CODE-NGO)
Political Initiatives Electoral reforms –
support for party list groups (e.g. OFW based parties), election watchdogs (e.g. NAMFREL, PPCRV, LENTE)
Advocacy for human rights – support for HR groups (e.g.PAHRA, Karapatan)
Political Initiatives Advocacy for Peace and
Development (e.g. Mindanao peaceweavers, GZO-PI)
Anti-corruption Advocacy – e.g. Transparency and Accountability Network, Procurement watch, G-Watch, CCAGG, Ehem Project)
Social Interventions Support for community
based poverty programs and various livelihood projects – KALAHI CIDSS of DSWD, MFIs, cooperatives
Support for hunger mitigation programs – NGOs and religious sectors, DSWD and DEPED
Support for educational reform – Adopt A School, Philippine Business for Education
Social Interventions Support for reproductive
health programs - PNGOC, PCPD and various women’s groups
Support for disaster preparedness; relief and rehabilitation programs – CNDR, DSWD
Support for community based housing programs e.g. CMP, Gawad Kalinga, Habitat
Priority Issues
Children’s health and nutrition
Basic primary education
Reproductive health programs
Local infrastructure and investments
Priority IssuesCommunity based
poverty reduction programs
Access to credit by micro and small enterprises
Disaster risk mitigationAdvocacies for good
governance
Key Issues Spawning Migration Unemployment and
underemployment Poverty and inequality Weak governance and
corruption Political instability Armed conflicts Natural disasters Deteriorating educational
systems
Institutions to be supported Members of Development
NGO Networks and Foundations (e.g. CODE-NGO, PNGOC, Association of Foundations)
Micro-finance institutions and cooperatives
People’s organizations and community associations
Institutions to be supported
Religious organizations
Progressive LGUsGovernment
agencies doing work with communities (e.g. DSWD)
Caveats in donating funds Look at track record; check
with credible personalities, networks or peer organizations (e.g. CODE-NGO, PCNC)
Are there good governance systems in place?
Are staff and personnel capable in delivering projects
Caveats in donating funds Are there successful
projects and programs? Are there written
evaluation and assessments from independent parties
Will you be able to see the programs in the field?
Recommendations Organize into groups
clarifying mission, objectives, targets, outcomes and impacts of donation
Link with groups you trust in terms of selecting and monitoring institutions, programs and projects to fund
RecommendationsEstablish mechanisms to
effectively select and monitor good institutions, programs and projects
Always be updated on the current situation and needs of the country (especially target areas and regions)