Philippine National Development

Current Growth Period Provides Opportunity to Tackle Domestic Issues

Feb 6, 2008

A growing GNP, relative political stability, and commitment of resources to social development are yielding progress toward the UN's eight Millennium Development Goals.

The Philippines has a history of erratic economic growth, but is currently experiencing a period of macroeconomic stability and a GNP growing 5% or more for the last 5 years.[1, 2] National development, though, means more than increasing wealth as measured by GNP, GNP per capita, or other such indicators, and includes social development alongside economic growth, and even development of political systems.

Economic health and growth are generally required to commit sufficient resources toward social development. This commitment of resources is a matter of national political will, so political systems are germane to national development. Additionally, political stability has an impact on foreign and domestic investment, and so may be prerequisite for a healthy, growing economy. Thus, economic growth, social development, and political stability are inextricably interrelated.

Instead of using some evolving gauge for Third World nations, lesser developed countries, or newly industrialized countries, examining Philippine progress toward the United Nations’ eight “Millennium Development Goals” (MDGs), with target date 2015, gives a snapshot of development. For reasons of space, only four are considered here.

Goal 2. Achieve universal primary education (Ensure that all boys and girls complete a full course of primary schooling.) The country lags the MDG target on elementary education, according to a recent National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) report, but the Department of Education has implemented a Food-for-School Program to entice poor parents to start their children in school. Studies show that children who enroll in day care centers and pre-schools usually finish grade school. [3]

Goal 4. Reduce child mortality (Reduce by two thirds the mortality rate among children under five.) In December President Arroyo announced, “…[A]ccording to the Millennium Development Goals monitor, the child mortality rate has been reduced from 40…to 32 for every 1,000 live births, and we’re very much on track…to reduce it to 27 for every 1,000 live births by 2015.”[4]

Goal 5. Improve maternal health (Reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio.) NEDA reported the country lagged in efforts to achieve MDG targets on maternal mortality. As a remedy, the President ordered obstetrics and gynecology services in all hospitals, especially for the poorest patients, and inclusion of childbirth in health insurance coverage. [3]

Goal 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases (Halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS, and the incidence of malaria and other major diseases.) Malaria is one of the major diseases afflicting Filipinos, and is found in 72 of the 75 provinces. University of the Philippines’ Department of Parasitology is using remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) technologies to determine environmental factors supporting mosquito populations, which spread malaria and dengue fever.[5] Benguet province was recently declared malaria-free upon the recommendation of the World Health Organization and the Philippine Department of Health, and incidence of dengue fever is being reduced in endemic areas.[6] From January to September 9, 2007, there were 188 recorded deaths from 14,915 cases, a 42% drop from the 316 deaths and 25,680 cases recorded in the same period of 2005. [7]

It is interesting that the eight Millennium Development Goals include economic and social goals, without any mention of political goals. Harold Lasswell’s definition of politics as “who gets what, when, and how” reminds us of the role politics play in resource allocation necessary for national development. This current period of growth provides an opportunity to tackle domestic issues such as widespread poverty and inadequate social services which, if not addressed, could threaten political stability, thus disrupting the economy, resulting in further retarded development. Although recent Philippine progress is cause for optimism, various geographic, economic, political, and socio-cultural conditions still present serious challenges to national development.

References

1. “Philippines: Invigorating Growth, Enhancing Its Impact,” World Bank Report No. 39226-PH, May 18, 2007, p. 12, Table 1 “Selected Economic Indicators”

2. “2007 economic growth seen at 6.9%-7.3%,” Philippine Inquirer, Dec 9, 2007

3. “President welcomes NEDA report on RP's progress on Millennium Development Goals,”

Republic of the Philippines official website, January 8, 2008

4. “PGMA lauds nutrition industry for bringing down infant mortality rate,” Republic of the Philippines official website, December 17, 2007

5. “Space and digital technology against malaria,” Republic of the Philippines official website, August 30, 2005

6. “PGMA declares Benguet province malaria-free,” Republic of the Philippines official website, April 17, 2006

7. “Duque urges public to keep guard up against dengue, other diseases,” Republic of the Philippines official website, September 15, 2006

The copyright of the article Philippine National Development in Philippines is owned by Gary W. Elliott. Permission to republish Philippine National Development in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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