Inflation and starvation
It has just been announced from Manila that the credit crunch is getting worse here in the Philippines with the official inflation rate now being quoted at over 12,5%, so if that’s the official you can add extra to that for how the inflation is really biting.
The central bank expects inflation to peak either this month or next, and the average for this year to be at the lower-end of the forecast range of between 9pc and 11pc - albeit outside the official target range of 3.0-5.0pc.
Add that to the huge unrest in Southern Mindanao and we can assume that the number of people who will below the poverty line is going to get worse and its already so bad before the credit crunch and the conflicts.
Yesterday I waited outside an Internet cafe for a friend and was approached so many times by people who are suffering, and I spoke to one lady who told me she has come from the war areas with her one year old baby as begging in Davao is the only chance she see shes has for her and her baby.
As she was talking to me her elderly mother was tapping on all car windows trying to get money for her family, to be honest I think she was at her wit ends and showed the look of death.
All of them despite the hunger were polite and showed such pride, and yes of course I gave for the baby I am human after all.
It is not a good situation. I work in a food store and every day I see prices going up. I see seniors counting their cents and going to the store and their happy faces when they can buyi mark down day old bread or meat that has been on the shelf for too long. A least they have some money. I don’t have an answer but I hope in a few years to be able to help my wifes family in the PI. I dont have any children of my own so hope to be able to do more to help my neices and nephews in the future. I now help my in laws and when I am in the Philippines I see them helping people who come to their door begging.
DPM
Now we are all linked by computer it seems this maybe come the first REAL worldwide recession
The economic problems in the world indicate a strong chance of a hyperinflationary period followed by depression. The failure of the world’s fiat currency system is probably near. The only salvation for most will be due to the generousity of those with the lasting ability to provide help. The crushing poverty in the Philippines is my chief issue with considering a move there in a year or two. I have a big problem ignoring those that are literally starving to death, and I know that even with substantial monetary resources, I can’t help even a fraction of all of those in need. I’ve been petitioning the U. S. Government for food help in the Philippines - it would be a wonderful thing for those expats in the Philippines to try to start a lobbying group directed towards their representatives back in the U. S. to prioritize helping one of our English speaking allies with “real” help in the form of food & supplies.
This situation will get worse, if the birth rate in the Philippines continues to rise. I was reading an article recently predicting economic disaster for PI in 25 years if birth rate of 25.2 continues versus the death rate of 5.4 per 1000. The birth rate among the poor and uneducated needed to be addressed not only by the government but also by the catholic church and private non-government entities.
John
Thank you for providing a reality check. I really appreciate your articles. Mosty people just gloss over the bad things. It takes a lot of courage to write about less pleasant aspects. I’m glad Bob lets you post. Keep up the good work.
Hi John,I believe many politicians use the 10% level, and once inflation reaches 10%,very strong measures are needed to stop it running out of control.With regard to food inflation,recent reports state that the main cause is over- population(supply/demand).In the past over population has been controlled by World Wars,we now have other means like birth control.All over- populated countries must take this very seriously,even if it means upsetting the likes of the RC church who only serve their own interests at the end of the day.The population of Phils would be much higher if the high number of illegal abortions did not happen.It seems to me, to be more sensible and humane to roll out birth control across the country than have increasing levels of illegal abortions with 50% death rate of mothers who die from infections and blood loss,regards Chas.
Hello John,
I agree with David, the Philippine Government needs to start taking some serious decisions on population growth. Other countries have had successfull population control methods for some time, Singapore and China for example.
In times of economic down turns other governments cannot always afford to provide aid, as it has to look after its own citizens first.
It does not help when a government is receiving foriegn aid is seen not to be doing anything to fix their problems.
The poor will always be the first feel any economic down and when this happens people get unpredictable and wanting change. These are the people with radical ideals love and anybody with an once of knowledge will know this is how terrorism is born.
We all know that we cannot stop poverty, but least we could aim for is people to have food on the table and a roof over their heads.
There is no simple solution to solving the cronic population problem the Philippines will have and with an 85% poverty rate already you wonder whether it is not too late for the country to become a complete basket case economically already.
Steven
Hi John,Further to my comments in #6,for those who may be interested.A study in Manila by Josefina Cabigon of the University of the population institute, found that 750,000 women in Phils undergo illegal abortions every year.50% were married,age group 20-29,78% were gainfully employed.Reasons women gave 1)To many children were financial burden.2)Pregnancy unwanted.3)Children interfere with employment or studies.4)Seperated from husband.5)Husband no job.6)Poor health.46% abortions carried out by Hilots,15% by the women themselves,15% by midwifes,the rest by doctors/nurses.Many women die from infection,hemorrhage and other complications.It concluded,that 33 out of 100 pregnancies are now aborted,regards Chas.
Spencer
I agree things are so bad and being from the UK we have ploughed millions and millions into aid into Africa. it just gets eaten by corruption and nothing ever changes. With the economic slow down I fear the generosity of people will be cut back even further.
David
I was discussing this very issue with Bob last night and Bob was telling me that around 35 per cent of people who were asked did “NOT” know howpeople became pregnant.
Large families here are thought to bring in a “pension” for the parents in later life, of course this rarely happens to be true.
Chas
Also the church holds too much power here as it will not sanction the use of Condoms and perpetuates the problem. I wonder if the church considers feeding the next generation or is it happy to keep starvation and poverty alive here in the Philippines, thus its power base remains very strong amongst the poor.
The statistics on abortion make shocking reading
Steven
I did not realise it was already at 85 per cent that’s indeed scary
i have an idea we need to deport every illegal alien out of america and back to there respective countrys and replace them with filipinos willing to come to america and take over the illegals jobs ! at least the filipinos would speak english! and we would be supporting a country who is our friend!
i have a good idea on population control for filipinos stop having sex! your supposed to be catholic no pre marital sex!have some self control over your body!
MIKE
What would happen if you were asked to stop having sex, would you even listen? The fact this is a Catholic country and the rules on Condoms are the more pressing issue. The Church turning a “blind eye” to the use of Condoms would save many so many people from unwanted pregnancies, help stop disease and stop the huge population explosion here and he poverty it will bring all.
Regarding the Filipinos speaking English being good for the USA, how many Americans abroad can speak the language of that country?
1st of all i have a family and i am married ,i waited to have a family untill i was married and financialy ready to have a child ! never had a child out of wedlock and it all comes down to discipline and control and not to get grafic there are other forms of sex without intercourse !and to answer your question the people who dont speak english in america are here illegally and dont belong here anyway ,they lower the wages of workers who work here and belong here and put a strain on the american economy by using our healthcare not paying there hospital bills which in return americans pay for more in there insurance premiums and the illegals take up goverment resources that should go to americans and legal residents !and americans living abroad thats up to them if they want to make life easier by speaking the language of the country they are legally living in !
I think one thing for sure about the population that most American people forget, The way of the Catholic Churches in the world and it’s “powers to be” are laughing the whole time this process is happening. Isn’t it the “world order” by their “laws” that only want more and more for the “cause” of the “man” himself?? In my opinion this process will never end and why would it, there is alot of spare time here to do what ever you want and with poverty being more and more of an issue, sex will be a past time that will do nothing but gain ground…….. I actually live here in Davao and have two of my girlfriend’s cousins living with me from a family of 8. This family is so poor, it’s beyond all belief, yet I’m sure any day now they will announce that she is once again pregnant?? (go figure). I wouldn’t say I take care of the rest of the family but I speak with them often, buy them a drink at the local store and carry on life with them as if I’ve known them forever. But back to the process to be, this will not end, there will never be a change in this and if you think it will, then I’m positive your sadly mistaken. ………………………. As for the poverty end of this deal, it was one of the topics I spoke to Bob Martin about the other day when I first met him. I told him just what he believes also that inflation isn’t 7.9% (as stated in June in the Manila paper), it’s not 12.5% as stated here, it simply out of control and well into 20%. Numbers are just created by those who can control them and by those who believe them. But if reality takes a trip out of your pocket, you will soon see that inflation is out of control here and around the world. I just left America a little less then a month ago and it’s just plain “nuts” there too. Even countries like America are seperating the wealthy and the poor by a bridge so long even the best pair of binoculars can’t see the other side (just wait, it will become nothing but worse). Most people hold hope for a new president and a new era, trust me, if you understand world politics (especially American) most of the leaders are nothing more then puppets on the strings of “big business”, who hence, have control of what you eat, sleep, breath and use on a daily basis. Trust me folks if “they” could come up with a way to charge for oxygen, you’d be paying by the hour for that as well……… My mind has a hard time with the fact of what I see here in the Philippines and I can only hope that somehow and somewhere there will be a ‘ray of light’ and for many that may only come from the very god that protects your life here. I am not a religious man, but I would like to at least say “God Bless You All” and in all that comes your way, I can only hope that blessing will bring your life a little peace and put you in a direction that will lead you to something great here in this world.
Inflation..Certain countries are worst hit then others. Certain people “are not affected” cos they are cant get jobs and dont have any money even to buy food.