NOTES ON The Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan for the period 2004-2010: Population and Poverty

MARY GRACE B. RANJO


Population and Poverty

Situationer Ways forward.

“Research has never proven a direct link between poverty and population growth, and it would be misleading to assume that one is directly dependent on each other. We cannot discount the other factors, like political shocks or external economic conditions, which added to the poverty problem, but we also cannot discount what research calls the mutually reinforcing relationship between the two that traps communities and families to poverty.” (4)



Contribution of “population dynamics” to economic growth, 1976-2000 A “do nothing” approach to population growth IF complemented by

- higher levels of agricultural output

- accessible education and

- support through a framework of responsive government policies

will allow population growth to serve as a catalyst for growth by providing a strong labor force that can drive the economy forward.



Otherwise, with the domestic economy unable to absorb and provide for the growth, the poverty gap widens.



Country Average Economic Growth, % Net Contribu- tion of Popula- tion, %

Philippines 4.10 1.06

Thailand 8.84 1.83

Indonesia 7.98 1.27

South Korea 9.9 1.66

Population growth in the Philippines contributed the least to economic growth.



Once upon a time, in the 70s to be a bit precise, the Philippines was thought to be a twin to Thailand – almost the same land area, econo-

mic structure, natural resources and goods 1. Prioritization and focus by government (more funds)

The National Anti-Poverty Commission is an inter-agency group created to, among others, generate funds for squatter relocation (through sale of vast government land holdings to private land developers - National Penitentiary, Muntinlupa to Ayala consortium).



Prioritization is key to short-term progress. It will require strong political will as “unpopular” decisions will have to be made and “painfully” (not for policy-makers and – implementers) carried through. Government must deal with waste, corruption, and defective projects.

traded in the international market, a beautiful people with the same Malay and mix Asian-European blood strain, and Bhumibol and Sirikit stood aside for Ferdinand and Imelda.



Population, 1975:

Philippines 43 M growing at 2.56%

Thailand 41 M growing at 2.73% 2. Sharing of responsibility by public and private sector

Private business and civil society share in many poverty-related programs: education, health, housing, community livelihood programs and vocational training. NGOs help in public information, community mobilization and play the role of watchdog and advocate.

Population, 2000:

Philippines 76 M

Thailand 61 M



GDP per capita, 1975:

Philippines US$ 1,502

Thailand US$ 805

GDP per capita, 2000:

Philippines US$ 3,971 grown at 41%

Thailand US$ 6,402 grown at 8.8%

3. Integration of population dimension into development planning and establishing a supportive, enabling policy environment.

4. “Family planning” / “planned parenthood

5. In assessing economic performance, cease and resist comparison with other countries in the region and use, but with great caution, eco nometric models that assess and, more impor tantly, point out the necessary areas for improve ment, e.g. labor force development, expansion of preventive health care, etc.so that population growth is not blamed for slow economic growth.