PROVERTY AND INEQUALITY IN THE PHILIPPINES
This argument analysis examines the article PROVERTY AND INEQUALITY IN THE
PHILIPPINES written by Ernesto M. Pernia. Articles about discusses the persistent issues of
poverty and inequality in the Philippines, as analyzed in a World Bank report. Despite progress
in reducing poverty, with rates dropping from 49.2% in 1985 to 18.1% in 2021, inequality
remains high. The article highlights how unequal access to education, healthcare, and resources
exacerbates inequality, particularly among rural populations. Pernia criticizes the lack of focus
on population growth, which has been faster in the Philippines compared to its ASEAN
neighbors, contributing to the country’s slower economic progress. He argues that population
control and family planning programs, which were neglected, could have improved the country’s
poverty and inequality situation.
The first main argument Is Ernesto M. Peria’s article’s major contention is that, despite the
Philippines’ decline in poverty, inequality remains a significant issue because many people do
not have equal access to jobs, healthcare, and education. He makes the case that the nation’s
rapid population increase has halted economic development. Peria feels that family planning
initiatives should have been maintained by the government in order to combat poverty and
inequality—a topic that the World Bank report underemphasized. First of all, Peria skillfully
illustrates persistent poverty and inequality in the Philippines with statistical data, showing how
specific policies have helped to reduce poverty. He does not, however, take into account larger
economic contexts and outside influences and instead argues that these benefits are the exclusive
product of his initiatives. Furthermore, despite stressing the value of access to healthcare and
education, he omits to discuss how socioeconomic policies may lessen these differences even
further. Overall, he makes a strong case for the necessity of reevaluating population management
strategies in order to alleviate the nation’s poverty and inequality.
The World Bank's research shows that poverty and Inequality are still big problems in the
Philippines. Although poverty has dropped a lot over the past thirty years, inequality remains a
serious issue. Poverty rates fell from 49.2% in 1985 to 18.1% in 2021, but the country is still one
of the most unequal in the world. This is largely because there is a big pay gap between workers
with education and those without. Many workers, especially those with little education, still have
low-paying jobs in agriculture, which makes the inequality worse. The report concludes that
while the country has made progress in reducing poverty, inequality is still a major problem. To
fix these issues, the government needs to create policies and programs that improve education
and job opportunities for everyone.