Aurora State College of Technology

READINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY

Expository Papers

Presented by:

Tapucol, Fredie Mar P.

Velasco, Nathaniel J.
De Vera, Frances Claire
Lucero, Jemarie R.
Malaca, Czyreen Yvonne S.
Marquez, Roselyn C.

Bachelor of Science in Accountancy 1C

Presented to:

Mr. Jefferson Bautista

Instructor
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page.

Table of Contents

Poverty: The Continuing Struggle of the Filipinos.

The Problematic Situation of the Country.

Solving National Problems.

People Power I and EDSA Revolution.

The Administration of Corazon C. Aquino.

References.
 Poverty: The Continuing Struggle of the Filipinos
(Nathaniel J. Velasco)

Mahatma Gandhi once said that “The worst form of violence is poverty”, a harsh
reality in the Philippines which was furtherly emphasized by the July 2023 Family Income
and Expenditures Survey (FIES) of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) which indicated that
the number of families living below the poverty line was recorded at 10.9%, or 3.0 million
families. This means that millions of Filipinos are vulnerable to disasters, lack access to high-
quality healthcare and education, live in inadequate housing, and suffer from food insecurity.
Poverty has grown to be a major global issue specifically in the Philippines, and while there
are currently initiatives underway to eradicate it, but the problem is that it does not take the
name of ending. Because of the large number of families living in extreme poverty, the
Philippines has long battled to maintain the prosperity of its country. The Philippines'
prosperous economy is hampered by a number of issues that contribute to poverty. Thus, this
paper aims to highlight the poverty as a continuing struggle of the Filipino people.
One such factor contributing to the rise of extreme poverty is the occurrence of
natural disasters. According to estimates, about half a million Filipinos experience temporary
consumption poverty each year as a result of natural disasters. Natural disasters such as
typhoons, earthquakes, and tsunamis and many more tend to destroy the houses and
properties that serve as a source of income to the families of the Philippines, because of this,
Filipino families struggle to make a living and provide for their families. For instance,
Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), which struck the Philippines in 2013, is considered the strongest
typhoon ever to make landfall. Typhoon Yolanda has caused over 6,300 reported fatalities
and an additional 2.3 million people were estimated to have fallen below the poverty line
according to World Bank.
Unemployment also tends to be a factor to poverty. Because of the lack of income due
to inexperience Filipino parents fails to support the needs of their families. Because of this,
not only does the Filipino families suffer but also the country itself due to the lack of the
workforce and people who have jobs. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA),
the Philippines recorded a 3.1 percent unemployment rate in December 2023, significantly
lower than the 4.3 percent recorded in December 2022. This represents a year-on-year
decrease of 617,000 unemployed individuals. Although, this could be a significant decrease
in unemployment rate throughout the years, this issue stills contribute to the poverty in the
country.
Furthermore, crimes and theft are among the biggest, if not the biggest, contributors to
poverty. It can happen anywhere from small villages to big cities. This is the reason why
people who don’t have much tend to fail in life. They struggle to bring back what has been
taken from them and tend to have a hard time finding a way to prosper and escape from
extreme poverty. Moreover, because they may be experiencing severe financial hardship, the
lowest members of society may turn to criminal activity as a means of surviving. People may
engage in stealing, drug trafficking, and other criminal activities in order to make ends meet
and provide for their families when basic necessities like food, shelter, and health care are
unavailable.
 Lastly, disease is the main cause of poverty in some parts of the Philippines. People
who don’t have enough money to afford to have poor hygiene and due to their foul and dirty
environments, Filipino families fall prey to many diseases. They can also can’t afford a great
amount of money to get a doctor or to cure illnesses. The expense of medical care,
medication, and transportation to a medical facility can be crippling for the patient and their
family members who must provide care or assist in getting them to and paying for treatment.
In the worst situations, the strain of disease can force families to sell their assets, pull their
kids out of school to make ends meet, or even turn to begging.
In conclusion, poverty is still a major problem in the Philippines, affecting millions of
people and impeding economic development due to problems like natural disasters,
unemployment, theft and crime, and finally, illnesses. This widespread problem hinders the
country's progress, particularly in the economic area. If we don't take action to address the
root causes of poverty, it may spread to more families in the Philippines, making it more
difficult to eradicate.
 The Problematic Situation of the Country
(Frances Claire De Vera)

Poverty is a complex issue that the Philippines has been facing over the years. There
are various factors why a lot of Filipino people are struggling with this kind of problem—
social, political, and environmental. Experiencing this kind of situation affecting the women,
rural populations, and unemployed people because they lack access to fundamental services
like education and healthcare along with lack of access to jobs is more difficult for them
because they can barely provide the necessary goods that their family needs, especially the
kids that are most commonly affected by the situation because they sometimes suffer from
malnutrition. Poverty is also one of the reasons why some of them can’t have the benefits
they deserve because they lack the power, unlike others that can afford and get easily the
things they need; if they had the money, they are the priority. Maybe some of them may have
a proper job, but it is usually not enough for them to provide and eat three times a day
because of minimum wages; they will need to earn more work hours just to have extra
compensation. According to Lotti Fraser, no individual can ‘’solve’’ poverty, but we can all
take small steps towards tackling this global issue.

Poor housing is one of the side effects of having poverty because they are not able and
lack the capacity to build a house for themselves; they are more thinking about how to
survive for their everyday lives. Overpopulation has a big impact, which is why a lot of
Filipinos are experiencing it; they are not thinking about what the possible effect of this
would be on them. The more their child grows, the more they need to feed them; they also
add that they need to send them to school to study and learn. This is why a lot of youth seen
at different places work at a young age that would be better spent in school.

Commonly seen on many sides, the factor that contributes to poverty is inequality and
discrimination. By that, many of those are much preferring to prevent socializing and have
missed the opportunities they can get from outside. But because of the experience outside and
from people, they choose to hide and not try to face the true world; they don’t have enough
courage to face what’s meant for them because they already think about the possible
comments of the people around them. Moreover, some factors of poverty can lead to
degradation of the environment because it’s provoking people to do some ways involving the
environment to address their issue.

Although there’s still a good change in poverty because of the statement by Reuters
report from August 15, 2024, the Philippines poverty rate dropped to 15.5% last year from
18.1% in 2021, with rising food prices limiting the reduction in the number of poor, the
government’s statistics agency said. If the government leads right and gives what’s meant for
the people will to reduce the problem of every family’s carrying, also if they will give the
children the right education that can help them for the future to think right and to have a
bright tomorrow. Hear the voice and platforms to raise awareness about poverty and give
them a chance to educate on facing the challenges they are facing, which is poverty. By Lotti
Foster, poverty is a global issue and requires multi-sector action by governments, the private
sector, NGOs, and individuals. Poverty reduction is a long-term endeavor, but our individual
actions, when combined with those of others, can contribute to positive change. Collaborating
with local and global efforts can create a more inclusive and equitable society.

Tackling the situation of poverty can give us insight into the real struggles of every
Filipino while facing it. It reminds us that if the government can’t help and give justice and a
solution to your hunger, stand out and do your own thing on how to address your situation. In
the end, we learn that we shouldn't just rely on the government because sometimes they are
the reason why people are experiencing it.
 Solving National Problems
(Roselyn Marquez, Fredie Mar Tapucol)

The complexities that the Philippines has gone through is one of those that will prove
a stability that does not give up no matter what the struggle that the people of the Philippines
will face, continues to rise and overcome the struggles that they face and one of the struggles
that the country of the Philippines has gone through is the environmental problems, where the
use of the Environment cannot be avoided and cannot be maintained, with continued use we
cannot deny its negative impact on the country, the people and also the environment, that we
can't blame the people either because this is their daily need, this is also what they earn a
living just to survive for themselves and their families. Pollution, mining and logging,
deforestation, threats to environmental activists, dynamite fishing, landslides, coastal erosion,
biodiversity loss, extinction, global warming, and climate change are the environmental
problems that the people of the Philippines continue to struggle with.

The Philippines' evident risk to natural disasters is due to its location. Being a country
that lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire, it is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. In
addition, the country is surrounded by large bodies of water and faces the Pacific Ocean,
where 60% of the world's typhoons originate. One of the most devastating typhoons that hit
the Philippines in 2013 was Typhoon Haiyan, or "Yolanda," which killed over 10,000 people
and caused damage worth over a trillion pesos to various sectors. Other environmental
problems that the country is facing include pollution, illegal mining, logging, deforestation,
dynamite fishing, landslides, coastal erosion, wildlife extinction, global warming, and climate
change. Government help those people who are affected by the typhoons and people slowly
recovered in incidents.

One of the environmental problems is the garbage scattered around. The Pasig River,
was major source of water, food, and livelihood, they called it Manila's "toilet bowl" due to
pollution from garbage and because of those people throwing garbage into the river. The
Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission served for 20 years, they oversaw the clean-up drive
of the river from 1999, until its dissolution by our President Rodrigo Duterte in November
2019. The government strength its enforcement of existing environmental laws, public
awareness program educating citizens to be responsible waste disposal and the importance of
environmental protection. These are some Environmental Laws; Toxic Substances and
Hazardous Waste Management Act (RA 6969), Clean Air Act of 1999 (RA 8749), Ecological
Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003), and Clean Water Act (RA 9275).
 People Power I and EDSA Revolution
(Jemarie R. Lucero)

People Power is the idea that ordinary people, when united, can stand up against unfair
and oppressive governments. This was clearly shown during the EDSA People Power
Revolution in 1986, when Filipinos peacefully overthrew President Ferdinand Marcos. On
February 25, 1986, the Philippines witnessed a historic event that not only changed the
country but also inspired the world. The revolution showed that people could bring about
change without using violence, relying instead on unity and peaceful protest.

The EDSA People Power Revolution is one of the best examples of non-violent
resistance. From February 22 to 25, 1986, Filipinos gathered at Epifanio de los Santos
Avenue (EDSA) in Metro Manila to demand Marcos’ removal. What made this revolution
special was that it was bloodless. The people stood up against a dictator without violence,
believing in democracy and their right to freedom. This peaceful protest became a symbol of
the power of the people and inspired similar movements worldwide. The revolution didn’t
happen overnight. It was the result of years of oppression under Marcos. In 1972, he declared
Martial Law, giving him total control over the country. This led to the arrest of political
opponents, widespread human rights abuses, and economic struggles. Many Filipinos became
frustrated and began calling for change.

A key event that fueled the desire for change was the assassination of former Senator
Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. on August 21, 1983. Aquino, who had been an outspoken critic
of Marcos, returned to the Philippines from exile, hoping to restore freedom. His murder
sparked anger among Filipinos and united them in their demand for justice and an end to
Marcos' rule. In response to growing protests, Marcos called for a snap presidential election
on February 7, 1986. He faced Corazon Aquino, the widow of Ninoy Aquino. However, the
election was widely believed to be rigged, and this led to even more protests. People flooded
the streets, demanding Marcos’ resignation.

The revolution officially began when two high-ranking military officials, Juan Ponce
Enrile and Fidel Ramos, withdrew their support for Marcos and sought refuge in military
camps. They were joined by Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, who called on Filipinos to
gather at EDSA in support. Millions of Filipinos answered the call and gathered peacefully to
demand Marcos’ removal. Religious figures, including nuns, even stood in front of military
tanks, urging soldiers not to harm the protesters. This act of courage helped to show the
strength of the people’s movement.

With the support of the public, Marcos’ forces began to retreat, marking the end of his
rule. On February 25, 1986, Corazon Aquino was sworn in as the first female president of the
Philippines, signaling the restoration of democracy. The EDSA People Power Revolution
showed that it was possible to remove a dictator without violence, proving the power of
peaceful protests.

The EDSA People Power Revolution showed the world that change is possible through
peaceful means. It proved that true power doesn’t come from weapons or violence, but from
the people who stand together for what is right. The revolution reminded us of the importance
of democracy and how fragile it can be. It taught us that we must always protect our freedom
and rights, as they can be easily lost. Its legacy continues to inspire people all over the world
who are fighting for justice and freedom. It shows that even in the darkest times, ordinary
people have the power to make a difference. The revolution remains a powerful reminder that
through unity, peace, and courage, we can overcome any challenge and build a better future.
 The Administration of Corazon C. Aquino
(Czyreen Yvonne S. Malaca)

The presidency of Corazon Aquino, also known as "Cory," is a significant moment in

the Philippines. After years of difficult martial law under Ferdinand Marcos, her
administration brought in an era of democratic change and national reconciliation. This paper
will examine Aquino's major achievements, challenges, and long history, highlighting her
profound impact on the Philippines.

Hillary Clinton said that Corazon Aquino was "admired by the world for her
extraordinary courage" in leading the fight against dictatorship. Pope Benedict XVI
applauded her "courageous commitment to the freedom of the Filipino people, her firm
rejection of violence and intolerance". The perseverance of the Filipino people was
demonstrated by Aquino's ascent to power. Following the death of her husband, prominent
opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, she came to represent opposition to the Marcos
administration. Marcos was overthrown in the People Power Revolution of 1986 as a result of
the national revolution sparked by her courage and unshakable dedication to democracy.

Aquino faced the challenging task of rebuilding a nation beset by economic hardship,
human rights abuses, and corruption when she came to power. Her administration's main
goals were to strengthen democratic institutions, topple the Marcos regime's resistance, and
draft a new constitution that protected liberties and rights. In order to fight corruption,
strengthen the legal system, and increase government transparency, she also put a number of
changes into place. The Aquino administration took action to boost growth and draw in
foreign investment after realizing the need for economic recovery. Despite modest
improvements, Marcos' poor leadership and political unrest have left the economy in a
precarious state. Aquino has also made social changes including expanding education,
improving health care, and lowering poverty a top priority.

The Aquino government has had difficulties. The government has come under fire for
how it has handled the crisis, and the continued protests represent a major threat to national
security. The economy has not recovered completely, and corruption is still an issue.
Aquino's decision to extend amnesty to Marcos loyalists and his inability to hold people
accountable for violations of human rights while the law is in effect have also infuriated and
outraged certain residents. Not with standing all of the difficulties, Aquino's presidency made
an impact. In addition to inspiring a generation of Filipinos with her unwavering support for
democracy and human rights, her leadership throughout the People Power Revolution came
to represent peace in the fight for independence. Her leadership created the framework for
future growth and transformation by establishing a more democratic and accountable system
of government.

Corazon Aquino's presidency marked a watershed moment in Philippine history. Her

commitment to freedom and human rights, as well as her leadership throughout the People
Power Revolution, profoundly altered the course of history. Despite her rigorous and
contentious reign, it ushered in a time of creativity and hope that set the path for the
Philippines' eventual independence and prosperity.

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