Rising poverty, underemployment amidst boasted growth?

When poverty figures and unemployment/underemployment continue to rise even with all the news reports about fresh investments and expansion plans in the country, then there is something wrong with the country’s economic development programs.

Fully cognizant of the high incidences of these two indicators, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) has been pushing for inclusive growth, which it defined as “sustained growth that creates jobs, draws the majority into the economic and social mainstream, and continuously reduces mass poverty.”

To be able to bring a better life to majority of the 92 million Filipino population, NEDA has recommended massive investments in physical infrastructure as a major cure, and giving short-term cash outlays to the poorest segments as a short-term solution.

Because of the government’s fiscal problems, funding for infrastructure had been decided through public-private partnerships (PPPs), while the selective distribution of money will be implemented mainly through conditional cash transfers (CCTs). –Rey Gamboa, Philippine Star