The real estate industry in the Philippines is booming!
The Philippine economy is getting better, so the government says. According to the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), “the Philippine economy posted a 7.8 percent GDP growth in the first quarter of 2013 from 6.5 percent the previous year. The Q1 growth is the highest so far under the Aquino administration and also the third consecutive quarter of more than 7.0 percent GDP growth.”
But compared to global standards, majority of the Filipino people are still mired in poverty! According to the National Wages and Productivity Commission, the average daily minimum wage outside the National Capital Region is Php 250. That’s C$ 6.25 per day, mostly for a family of five! NSCB report points out that “during the first semester of 2012, a Filipino family of five needed PhP 5,458 [C$ 136.45] to meet basic food needs every month and Php 7,821 [C$ 195.52] to stay above the poverty threshold (basic food and non-food needs) every month.”
The economic growth and its “trickle down effect” are not being experienced by the majority of the Filipino people.
The Philippine economy is getting better but there is no trickle down effect! The poor people do not experience the economic growth. The rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer!
Then we hear about the increasing military expenditure of the Government of the Philippines:
- The Philippine Navy awaits delivery of 5 helicopters.
- The Philippine Air Force will get new warplanes by 2014.
- The Department of National Defense is buying 2 brand new warships.
- The Philippines is seeking modern military hardware from the US.
Our allies–US, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Germany–know our economy is getting better. We may have extra financial resources to buy their military products and defense services. China is threatening our national sovereignty and the US, as well as our other allies, are selling their military products to us. Majority of the Filipino people think this will boost our national pride and dignity, since many feel that we are being bullied by our neighboring countries as a poor nation.
US-made attack aircrafts
Militarization is a fake basis of national security and dignity. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7 NIV)
Our people are still suffering in poverty–harsh poverty! I pray that our government would invest more of our national resources on health, education, housing, infrastructure, livelihood programs. Our country would be stronger if there is genuine justice and peace within us.
As we face the challenges of, and opportunities for, peace and reconciliation in these times of poverty and militarization, let us start by seeking God’s face: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV)
May the creativity of the Creator enhance our mind. May the peace of Christ embrace our heart. May the energy of the Comforter strengthen our will.
Now, let’s roll-up our sleeves and go to work!
3 comments
What a rubbish article. He just dont get it, Philippines has the weakest military in south East Asia we cannot even guard our borders. Yes there are poor people but you cannot just give all your budget to alleviate the poor thats not how a country works. THERE IS A BUDGET FOR THE POOR AND A BUDGET FOR NATIONAL DEFENSE!!! Yes I pitty the poor people but have you try to look very hard at them. Why they have so many children when they cannot even feed themselves? I’m not saying all poor people are to blame for their situatuation but majority of them cannot even do simple family planning to spare their children of hardship then blame the government for it. And guess what, its the church who is partly to blame for this. They opposed any form of family planning that it has become out of reach by the poorest who need it badly. If the author is so righteous why dont he give all his wealth to the poor and dont leave anything for his own need because thats what he is trying to say in this article. Let me repeat THERE IS A BUDGET FOR THE POOR and THERE IS ALSO BUDGET FOR NATIONAL DEFENSE, its like there is a budget for your food and expenses and there is a budget for charity in your daily savings because you canot just give all your money to charity.
Author
I hear you. If you read more of what we’ve been doing and saying, you’d understand better our Active Non-Violent approach to conflict. You’ll also notice that I support RH Bill. And yes, all our budget are for the advancement of justice and peace for the poor. Thank you for your comment. Peace and blessings to you.
ok peace brother, maybe in time our people will get out of this mess of poverty. Hope for the best I know our country can make it through.
As for the peaceful resolution of conflict thats what everybody wants but still you need to ARM yourself for deterrent and security reason. Currently we are the weakest country in the neighborhood and a country that cannot even protect itself even in peacetime is a failed country. This is for the integrity and dignity of the Filipino people that we must have an available deterrent force. As the former President Theodore Roosevelt says “Speak Softly but carry a big stick” it means diplomacy can only be heard and become effective if we have the capability to back it out. Thats the number one rule in Diplomacy my friend.