Newsgroups: bit.listserv.seasia-l
Date:         Thu, 30 Jul 1992 17:42:58 PDT
From:         "Indonesia Publications/Task Force" <apakabar@IGC.APC.ORG>
Subject:      PH: No End to Poverty?
X-To:         seasia-l@msu.edu

/* Written 10:26 am  Jul 30, 1992 by gn:geonet in cdp:geo2.philippin */
/* ---------- "NO SCHEME VS. POVERTY" ---------- */
Subject: NO SCHEME VS. POVERTY
From: GEO2:NEWSSERV-PHIL
Date: 30-07-92, 08:28:55
To: PHILIPPINES
Cc: UUCP:JAGDISH@CHASQUE.APC.ORG

Philippine News and Features
International Dispatch No. 14
July 29, 1992
----------------------------------------
<<NO REAL, COMPREHENSIVE PLANS TO STOP POVERTY,
<<SAYS GOV'T URBAN POOR OFFICE
MANILA (PNF) -- When President Fidel Ramos pledged that
his government was for the "poor and the powerless," he may not
have known what he was in for.
In his first state of the nation address, Ramos said noted
how the lowest 20 percent of the population got only five
percent of the country's wealth, how one of two Filipinos do
not meet basic needs. He called for urgent action on this war
against poverty.
Urban poor commissioner Diogenes Osabel admitted however
the impossibility of solving the crisis due to its magnitude.
"There is no real, comprehensive and coordinated program on how
to address the problem," Osabel told PNF.
A 1991 study by an agency of the Catholic Church here
shows that 27 percent of the population or almost 18 million
Filipinos live in poverty in urban centers. The urban poor
population is densest in the National Capital Region were there
is an average of 6,019.3 poor dwellers per square kilometer or
32 times that of the national average of 187.7.
Driven by landlessness, poverty and militarization in the
countryside, the rural poor have flocked to the cities unaware
they had little or no room here.
This week Ramos announced the creation of a Presidential
Commission on Poverty. The new agency comes after the
Presidential Commission on the Urban Poor (PCUP), organized by
former President Corazon Aquino in l987.
Five years later, Commissioner Osabel agrees that another
agency be formed to coordinate programs launched by different
departments to help the poor. "There should be a synergy of
energy to avoid duplication of programs," Osabel said.
He proposed the creation of what he called a "poverty
czar." Osabel said he is mired in the "dilemma" of determining
who compose the urban poor.  "Even professionals like the
teachers claim that what they are receiving is way below the
poverty line," he added.
The recent death of a teacher-turned-derelict sparked new
concern for the downslide even among the middle class.
Roger Borromeo of the 55,000-strong Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa
ng Maralitang Lungsod (KPML -Unity Congress of the Urban Poor)
believes government projects have had no significant impact.
"Yes, the programs have beneficiaries but there are no
significant effects," Borromeo said.
He expressed doubts about Ramos' ability to address the
plight of the poor. "The President's plans are good for
dreamers only," said Borromeo.
In an 11-point pledge to the urban poor, Ramos vowed to
uplift their worsening situation by providing low-cost housing,
basic services and employment opportunities.
Borromeo charged the PCUP of having had a hand in illegal
demolitions which he said is increasing at an alarming rate
every year. He said 20 demolitions have taken place since
January affecting almost 5,000 families.
"The government demolishes squatter shanties but does not
have a relocation site for those families whose homes are
destroyed," Borromeo said. Urban poor groups demand housing,
electricity, water supply and job opportunities in the
relocation areas.
President Ramos recently ordered the release of P10-
million ($400,000) for the Presidential People Empowerment Fund
which will be go to low-cost housing and other related needs.
He also vowed to intensify efforts to eject squatter
shanties situated along public highways, streets and public
waterways.#
(Lynette Baldovino-Real)  Philippine News and Features

----------------------------------------
MORE ON August 3, 1992.
Geonet users are free to publish the above material, but please
credit to PNF.  We will also appreciate it if you can send us
clippings.
Our subsequent transmissions will be summaries of stories of
interest to an international audience.
For full-length features, we may be reached via phone or fax
number (63) 5217442.
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU