The Ideal and the Reality

This is a little look on how our Government construed or misconstrued, implemented or “misimplemented” this particular provision of our fundamental law to wit: “The goals of the national economy are a more equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth; a sustained increase in the amount of goods and services produced by the nation for the benefit of the people; and an expanding productivity as the key to raising the quality of life for all, especially the underprivileged.” (Sec. 1, par. 1, Article XII, 1987 Philippine Constitution)

“A more equitable distribution of opportunities, income and wealth…”

Share of income or consumption (survey year: 2000)
Richest 10%= 36.3%
Richest 20%=52.3%
Poorest 10% =2.2%
Poorest 20%=5.4%

Births attended by Skilled Personnel (survey year: 1999)
Richest 20%=91.9%
Poorest 20%=21.2%
Estimated Earned Income (Annual US$ PPP) (2003)
Male=$5,409
Female=$3,213
Adult Literacy rate (% age 15 and above) (2003)
Male=92.5 %
Female=92.7%
Life Expectancy at Birth (2003)
Male=68.3 years
Female=72.5 years

“...a sustained increase in the amount of goods and services produced by the nation for the benefit of the people and an expanding productivity as the key to raising the quality of life for all.”

Philippine GDP Annual Growth Rate (1990-2003): 1.2%

(Source: UNDP, Human Development Report, 2005)