5.1 Million Poor Families

         The NSO reported that in 2000, poverty incidence affected 19.9 percent of families in urban areas and 46.9 percent in rural areas. Real number of poor families climbed to 5.1 million, 1.5 million of them in urban areas and 3.6 million in rural areas. Some 2.5 million families were living in subsistence level, meaning their income was not enough to buy their basic food requirements.


Source: http://www.txtmania.com/trivia/social.php

        Philippines is considered one of the poor countries in the world. Poverty has always been a problem in most Filipino families. It's sad to think that this never-ending problem doesn't get any better. Fortunate are those elite people who were blessed with a  very luxurious life but how about the poor? Will they always be dominant in our country?

          Come to think of it, I can say that I am lucky enough to have three meals in a day and to be enrolled in a prestigious school. If we look at other people's lives, finding ways to make money for buying the basic neccesities they need is a heavy burden to them. Some people say that this is mainly caused by their laziness. I don't think this theory is applicable to all. I believe that there are people out there striving hard but sometimes it's just not enough because most high-paid jobs requires a college degree. If so, how can these people who can't even afford a fifty peso meal get into college and attain high positions? If only the government focuses more on upbringing the lives of poor people, then they would have chances to become professionals in the society. If only government officials would not be practicing graft and corruption, the money of the people in the country would go into good hands. The government could come up with plans on improving the lives of poor people and prioritize their education since attaining a higher education is a stepping stone in improving one's life and having a bright future. I also think that the resources of the country should be distributed more equally. It should not circulate only in the capitalists' hands and I firmly believe that this problem could be slowly put to an end if only the country's economy would be more efficient in maximizing resources. :)