Transcript

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)

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