Why is the Philippines still suffering from poverty?

Question

Pls help me....

Answer 1

I'm from the Philippines and I've read some of the answers here, and they are quite racist. There are a lot of reasons why we suffer from poverty, and having too many Muslims isn't the cause of that; so is calling the people stupid because they stood up for what they believe in, isn't more stupid to just not do anything about it?

One of the major reasons why poverty is very rampant here is graft and corruption; mainly caused by old and obsolete practices in the gov't, one such example is the election process which always causes bloodshed and unwanted chaos because of failure to implemented reforms.

Another reason is already mentioned above, the control of big businesses. Majority of the corporations here are owned by a priviledged few, and most up and coming entreprenuers aren't being supported well enough by the gov't. Also somewhat to blame in conjunction with this are the bad trade decisions made by the gov't, such as opening the country to globalization unprepared thus causing alot of businesses here to close.

Being an archipelago is also quite a hindrance, because it has led to different and sometimes conflicting cultures between us Filipinoes. Imagine a country in which there are more than a dozen different dialects.

And also I think that the Philippines is still a young country, we still haven't fully grasped the notion of being a nation having existed as one for just less than a hundred years (considering that we only gained independence from the American after World War II).

Answer 2

Reasons:

1. Historical poverty: When the Spaniards conquered the philippines, they stated themselves as the rulers. They intermarried with some of the natives and made them the elites of the country. So, theoretically, the pure unmixed FIlipinis remaiend poor to this very day.

2. Graft and Corruption: THe Philippines suffers from greedy traditional polticians. The Philippines is the 11th most corrupt country in the world.

3. Control of businesses by foreigners: Only 5% of the Philippines' people hold 70% of the country's wealth. Most of them are Chinese, Spanish,or mixed American, while the native Filipinos remain poor.

4. Religion: Catholicism holds poverty as holy, and since 85% of all Filipinos are Catholic, you might expect the country to be a poor one.

5. Influence of U.S.: The Philippines is very much Americanized in culture. People here want everything that has an American brand (from computers to IPods to food to watches), so, the Philippines has a large importation of American goods but low exporting to other countries. Plus, US signed a Free Trade Agreement with the Philippines. It also forced the Philippines to have a Parity Agreement (which eventually gave the Philippines independence in the condition that it gives American citizens the same rights in the Philippinrd).

Answer 3

Many countries in the world have "poverty" the Philippines are not alone. In most cases there are more PEOPLE than JOBS. In some families both husband and wife work and they still have a hard time providing for their family. The leaders of the countries who have these problems with very few jobs and helping their people are always looking for businesses to come to their country to set up a factory or offices to provide employment for their people. People all over the world are always looking for a way to get more money to help them live a better life. I hope the day will come when everyone does not have to go without the basics.

Answer 4

The Philippines has an abundance of natural resources which can support all the needs of its people.

Unfortunately, the 30% of the country's rich and powerful ruling class control all the wealth and resources while continuing to subjugate the 70% of the majority into a state of induced poverty.

Those that are fortunate enough to escape this poverty cycle have done so by going to work in a foreign country. These overseas filipino workers (OFWs) are the definition of modern "slave labor". After these OFWs have amassed their wealth they either return to the Philippines to live simple but comfortable lives or decide to stay in the foregin country they work in because they married a citizen of that country or have some special arrangement due to the nature of their work.

Now if your teacher disagrees with this answer, she's nothing more than a lackey of the ruling class which continues to lie to the people and to you.

Answer 5

Poor Filipinos are iresponsible. They want an easy life without sweating. Comming from the provinces they want to hit a jackpot in the cities. They have no idea what is life in the city, after months of struggle of finding a job, they'd become squatters, then "tambays", then adicts to vices " drinking, drugs, gambling", then to criminals. They want the short way out. Then blaming it to all, the government, the economy, society. In the first place they should'nt be going to the cities, there a lot of opportunities in the countryside. They just want the short way around without sweating a drop.

Answer 6

There government has very little power. They can't or don't- choose to stop illegal logging and other such atrocities. Furthermore, 'free trade' has unfortunately led to many policies favoring the rich/powerful (such as big business owners) while having negative impacts on the poor. Additionally 'free trade' has led to what is known as a race to the bottom, where a country (such as the Philippines!) lowers its standards (labor standards, environmental standards, etc) in order to attract companies. However lowering ones standards and changing the law or choosing not to enforce it, in order to attract a sweatshops, has led to negative impacts on the general citizens of the Philippines.

Answer 7

www.apmforum.com/columns/orientseas49.htm
Poverty remains the central development issue in the Phillippines and despite,the ambitious development goals laid out in the MTPDP, the country HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO SUSTAIN THE ECONOMIC GROWTH REQUIRED TO REDUCE THE POVERTY TO ACCEPTABLE. there is alot more on the site above good luck

Answer 8

well theyy arent the richest country in the world man. people in the US suffer from poverty

Answer 9

Imelda Marcos still has her designer shoes, although I did hear that she had to sell some of her collection to pay restitution.

Answer 10

I don't see how they can be everyone of them send a family member here to make money and they all send it back to them, I know I work with them and thats what they all say they do