Press Release
October 4, 2015

POE: ECONOMIC GROWTH UNFELT BY MANY FILIPINOS

Even as the country achieved remarkable economic growth in the last five years, Sen. Grace Poe said this growth has not been truly inclusive as many Filipinos remain deprived of the benefits of progress.

Speaking before members of the Makabayan bloc, Poe said the unemployment rate, lack of access to health care and education, rural poverty, and the sad plight of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) all point to a need for a government that will include all sectors in economic development and welcome people participation in decision-making.

"Tayo raw ngayon ay pumapang-apat sa mga bansang may pinakamabilis na lumagong ekonomiya sa buong mundo, kasunod ng naglalakihang bansa-ang Tsina, Qatar at India... Ngunit ang paglagong ito ay hindi pa rin maramdaman ng mga karaniwang Pilipino dahil mababa ang pasahod sa mga manggagawa at marami ang walang trabaho," Poe said.

While the economy grew by nearly seven percent, the Philippines still has one of the highest unemployment rates in Southeast Asia, with nine million Filipinos jobless, according to the SWS.

Of the Filipinos who do find jobs abroad, almost 7,000 are in jail, 88 of them in death row, Poe said.

The Makabayan bloc, composed of Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela Women's Partylist, ACT Teachers, Kabataan, Piston, Migrante, Sulong Katribu, Courage and Suara Bangsamoro, represents many of the country's marginalized sectors.

"Ang pangarap ko ay magkaroon ang bawat Pilipino ng ganap at produktibong buhay; isang pamumuhay na may dignidad; at ang pagkakataong lumaki at tumanda sa maunlad, mapayapa at ligtas na komunidad," she said.

Poe, who declared her presidential bid on Sept. 16, said her dream for all Filipinos is anchored on three pillars: pursuing genuine inclusive growth, installing a transparent and honest government that respects human rights, and building a culture of excellence and global competitiveness.

"Sa aking nabanggit na mga istratehiya, ang pinaka-importante ay ang pagsugpo sa kahirapan at pagsulong ng ingklusibong pag-unlad. Ang ibig sabihin ng ingklusibong pag-unlad ay ang bawat isang Pilipino ay may pagkakataon na sumabay at makinabang sa pag-yaman o pag-unlad ng bansa," she said.

Poe said she would focus on growing the industry sector and aiding the agricultural sector, which has been neglected for so long.

She lamented that the Philippines has no comprehensive program for industrialization or sufficient support for local industries.

"Isang malaking kakulangan ito, na siya sana ang maaring makapagbibigay ng mga trabaho, at magiging daan upang maranasan ng lahat ang pag-unlad," Poe said.

"At sa pag-unlad ng industriya, kailangan kasama ang pag-unlad ng buhay ng manggagawa. Disenteng trabaho, nakabubuhay na sahod, maayos na benepisyo, ligtas na mga pagawaan-iyan ay responsibilidad ng gobyerno at ng pribadong sektor," she said.

Poe, who spoke out against the budget cut for State Colleges and Universities, said she would push for affordable quality education because this is key to bringing people out of poverty.

"Ang edukasyon ay isang karapatang pantao na maaari sana nating pagsimulan ng isang kulturang may pagpapahalaga sa kahusayan at dangal sa sarili. Kung kinakailangan ibaling ang badyet mula sa ibang pinaglalaanan, gawin natin!" Poe said.

For genuine inclusive growth, economic initiatives had to be brought to the provinces, Poe said, because 70 percent of Filipinos live in rural areas, many of them fishermen and farmers.

"Kung totoong nais natin na masugpo ang kahirapan, isa sa ating dapat gawin, ay tutukan ang sektor ng agrikultura. Kailangan maging kapaki-pakinabang ang pagsasaka o pangingisda. Tulungan natin sila sa pamamagitan ng teknolohiya, mekanikasyon, pampinansyal na serbisyo, at transportasyon ng kanilang gamit," she said.

Poe pointed out that Filipinos in rural areas are not only mired in poverty, they also do not have access to proper health care as only 17,000 of the country's 42,000 barangays have health centers. In some provinces, like Butuan, there is only one doctor for every 100,000 population.

She said the government should strive to build more health facilities and provide incentives to health workers who will serve in remote locales.

The senator lauded the efforts of Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, who she said has filed a counterpart bill to institutionalize feeding programs for children in public schools, which she has been lobbying for in the Senate.

"Alam naming pareho ni Rep. Colmenares na kailangang pagtuunan ng atensyon ang susunod na henerasyon ng mga Pilipino dahil sila ang siyang magpapatuloy ng lahat ng ating ipatutupad na pagbabago sa ating bayan," Poe said.

"Congressman Colmenares, kailangan ng Senado ang mga taong katulad ninyo na matalino, progresibo, at may integridad," she added.

Colmenares has said in previous interviews that the Makabayan bloc is inclined to support Poe's presidential bid.

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