The Philippines needs to address social inequity and rising youth unemployment to take advantage of the economic growth that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations single market is expected to bring by 2015.
According to US Ambassador to the Asean David Carden, the Philippines should address problems on access to education, governance and corruption, and environmental issues.
“Social inequity is a very serious concern,” said Carden, who was in Manila this week. He said Asean economies “run the risk of their economy not growing (if these issues are not addressed).”
Poverty incidence in the Philippines has not decreased in the last six years according to the National Statistical Coordination Board. Poverty is estimated 27.9 percent in 2012 compared with the 2006 and 2009 first semester figures at 28.8 percent and 28.6 percent.
Carden added the Philippines has to increase access to higher education to provide a reliable workforce for the growing economy.
Around 500,000 graduate from college each year, but the Commission on Higher Education said only 20 percent of graduates find jobs. Uneployment is currently pegged at 7.3 percent.
Of those who do have jobs, around 15 million are considered vulnerable because they have no employment benefits, have no fixed income, and are not earning enough to get out of poverty.
Carden said the Asean single market, which will include the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Brunei, should be about more than just “removing trade barriers and non-trade barriers.”
He said it should come with empowerment for citizens of Asean nations as well as environmental sustainability.
He said “there are underlying issues that need to be addressed and economies are (committing) serious mistakes to overlook these issues.”
Carden, who met with Foreign Affairs undersecretary Evans Garcia while in Manila, was in the Philippines from December 3-4. — JDS, GMA News
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
“Safety and health at work every day!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
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Monthly Observances:
March – Women’s Role in History Month
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Last Week of March: Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week
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Mar 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transallantic Slave Trade
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Apr 21 – Civil Service Day
Apr 22 – World Earth Day
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