‘DEVELOPMENTS’ TO KEEP AN EYE ON

• The two (2) high rise condominium buildings by a Korean investor being built within the Subic Watershed Forest Reserve. Proclamation 926, series of 1992, is pertinent here.
• The Taal Island Spa Resort, again by a Korean investor, within the Taal Volcano’s permanent danger zone. It has been reported that parts of the Volcano’s slope has already been flattened.
• Mining in Camp 6, Tuba, Benguet.

I will write more on these so-called ‘development’ projects once I have done the necessary research.

making a difference

No matter how small the difference that you could make into this world, you should strive to work for it because if all of the people think of changing in their own little ways, these changes would sum up into a bigger change that would have a great impact in the environment…

This is what I have learned from my observation of many people who dared not to make a difference because of the thinking that theirs is but a minute change. I believe that even if changes come in small packages, the sum of the parts would result in a much larger whole. If only all of us would think and believe that we could make a difference no matter how small it would be, then this world would be a much better place to live in.

my own little ways…

Days from now, we will be celebrating Earth Day (April 22). In my own little ways, I think, I am helping in trying to make this Earth a better place to live in. I call on every body to, just even for a day, leave all their "worldly activities" and focus on our Mother Earth…

The following are just examples of how I think I am helping mitigate environmental destruction. I hope that I could add more to these in the coming days.

• Segregate wastes. The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act requires us to do so. In effect, this is not optional but actually mandatory for every individual.

• Go paperless. A lot of trees are cut down just to produce sheets of paper. As much as possible, if and when it is not really necessary to use papers, I would rather not use them. In this age of information technology, offices could easily go paperless. Printing drafts (if and only if necessary) should be made on used sheets of papers. By the way, I abhor this one tv advertisement with a tv host on it for a health care supplement where the tv host continues to crample papers while talking. What a waste!

• Use mass public transport. Important here is the word "mass", which means that taxi cabs should also be avoided. As much as possible, I take jeepneys or FX taxis (n.b. only the legal ones). Although in most instances travelling on a jeepney is very inconvenient, I just think of the higher end why I am doing it.

• Switch off when not in use. Some of us do not realize it, but we still use electricity when our appliances are on a standby mode. Hence, the best way to save is to unplug these appliances. When it comes to the lights, some, I think, have this habit of leaving the lights on even when not in use. It would be safer and cheaper to include in your habit to make an extra effort of reaching the switch and turning off the lights.

• Make gardening a hobby. When I was younger, I used to have a garden in our backyard in the province. I can vividly remember the sense of fulfillment every time I harvested from my garden. Living in Manila for more than a decade now, I started to try and have my own garden. I just have to be more resourceful and creative because I live three storeys above the ground.

• Walk. When travelling on short distances, I prefer to just walk and avoid using motor vehicles. This not only saves me money but also helps me get fit.

is there a need to manage population growth?

The debate on whether to control population growth or not stems not just from the conflict between the church and the state but more on whether rapid population growth is a hindrance to sustainable economic development or a factor promoting such. Sustainable economic development implies new concept of development jumping from mere figures to a wider concept of fairness and opportunity for all the people with regard to world’s finite natural resources and carrying capacity. One of the values of sustainability is life sustenance- the ability to provide needs. In this regard, several literatures about population management point to negative macro and micro implications of rapid population growth.

Macro Level Implications

Although population growth could be beneficial for developed countries with a population age structure which is almost rectangular (e.g. Sweden), rapid population growth negatively affects development of developing countries (NEDA, 1993). Rapid population growth has effects on natural resources, environment, capital- both physical and human, and income inequality.

On Natural Resources. Natural resources are viewed as inputs to production. More inputs will be needed to produce goods and services needed by the rapidly growing population. Although it might not be a problem if addressed adequately and timely, more labor applied to fixed land, for example, might lead to diminishing returns. According to some studies, if population grows rapidly and responses are not adapted on time, the population might not be able to avert declining labor productivity as a result of rapid growth (NEDA, 1993).

On environment. It has been viewed by many studies that rapid population growth worsens the degradation of the environment- destruction of forests, pollution, and exhaustion of resources among others. A slower population growth not only slows down environmental degradation but also gives more time to lay out mitigating measures (NEDA, 1993).

On capital. Population growth increases the dependency burden, that is, the age/sex structure of the population changes such that a larger population of the total population now belongs to the younger age group, implying that the greater the number of dependents, the greater the consumption out of a given income (NEDA, 1993). This leads to lesser savings, which are main sources of domestic investments, affecting the capacity of the population for investing in productive activities, thus resulting in a slower growth.

The negative effects of rapid population growth on physical capital formation are not so much as compared to the development of human capital. Less savings leads to lesser expenditures for health, education, and nutrition of the populace among others. For instance, countries with high population growth rate, such as the Philippines, have lower school expenditures per child (NEDA, 1993). In the supply side, the supply of educational services is determined by the capacity of the government to save and invest in educational services (Herrin, 1996).

On income inequality. Effects of population growth are apparent on wages and employment. Very rapid population growth rate leads to increase in the labor force. This could be a problem if the country’s economy could not absorb the rapid increase in the labor force. The more rapid increase in potential labor supply relative to increase in demand for labor would tend to depress the wage rates (Herrin, 1996).

Micro Level Implications

At the level of households, effects of population growth are felt on financial resource dilution. The dilution effect affects expenditures on education, employment of family members, and on savings.

On education. Pertinent to the investments to human capital, the capacity of households to support educational needs of their children is impeded as their size increases. Findings in the Philippines show that the presence of additional young children in the household reduces the probability that older siblings will be enrolled in school. These adverse effects might arise either because of financial resource dilution or increased demand for time spent in household production (Bauer, et al., 1992). The dilution effect explains that the decline in per capita income is a result among others of additional child (of either sex) in the family (Mason, 1989).

Estimates suggest that the impact of younger children on the enrolment status of older siblings operates mainly through resource dilution in the case of older brothers and through increased household duties in the case of older sisters (Bauer, et al., 1992). Probably due to rigid gender roles in the Philippines, “siblings nudge young men out of school and into the labor force and into the market and draw young women into the home” (Bauer, et al., 1992). In a comparative study conducted in Thailand and Korea, households with fewer children use the increased availability of resources to invest more in the schooling of their children (Mason, 1989).

On employment. The more common effect of additional children in the household is to inhibit women from entering the labor market. According to a study, on the average, female participation declines by 60% in household with no income to 52% in those with one. This analysis suggested that an important cost of children is the earnings women forego because of childrearing responsibilities (Bauer, 1992). The presence of children were found to significantly reduce the chances that women will be an earner. This would lead to lesser income for the family to support the needs of its members. A slack in the supply of employment is also created when the labor force grows rapidly.

On savings. Childrearing also depresses the rate household savings as is the case in the Philippines. A study shows that at the peak of the childrearing years, parents with only 2 children are, on the average, saving 7.4% of their disposable income, nearly 30% more than parents with more than 4 children” (Bauer, 1992). The calculated decline in average household size from 5.5 members in 1990 to 3.6 members in 2025 is calculated to produce an 18% increase in aggregate saving over the same period (Bauer, 1992).

Epilogue

Population growth, according to Herrin (1996), has positive effects on promotion of economies of scale and on technological change. As population grows, the market increase in size to a point where economies of scale are possible and more efficient in provision of goods and services. As is the case with economies of scale, population growth also enhances technological change in the light of the need to adopt a more intensive system which increase outputs in order to address the need to growing requirements of the population.

However, in spite of the fact that population growth could be of advantage to developed countries, it might have adverse effects on developing countries especially to those whose resources and production could not adapt to the rapid population growth as shown in the discussions above on macro and micro-level implications of rapid population growth. Population size and structure have effects both on human and natural resources- the main components of sustainable economic development. In the Philippine setting where development is constrained by the inability of the government to finance development and serve even the minimum basic needs of the populace, rapid population growth would mean slower development.

The government is constrained by its resources to serve goods and services to the people such as education, health, and nutrition. The present fiscal situation of the Philippines is not in favor of serving a larger population. The government at present cannot focus on development financing because the bulk of resources are targeted towards provision of basic social services. Unless the government could adequately support the growing population, economic development will be relatively difficult to attain more so, sustain. At present, the Philippine population is growing faster than the rate the economy is growing. If only production and resources are adequate to support the population, population growth would not be a problem.

At the level of households, the inability of the family to meet basic needs as the number of children increases poses a major problem in human development. More often than not, larger family hampers the investment of family on education and nutrition due to dispersion of income to more members. These sacrifice the quality of future generation’s quality would not be favorable for the economy.

Population growth per se is not a problem. It would even be advantageous if the same level of resources and production growth accompanies it. The problem is the ability to support the needs of the growing population. Only when the government could support adequately the needs of the population and households could meet their basic needs that economic development could be sustained. In this light, it is of necessity that population be managed and planned. After all, the subject and object of planning and of development are the people.

(15 August 2003) 

References: 

Bauer, J., Canlas, D., Fernandez, M.T. and A. Mason. "Family Size and Family Welfare in the Philippines." Honolulu: East-West Center, Working Papers Population Series No. 87. 

Herrin, A.N. and M.P. Costello, 1996. "Sources of Future Population Growth and Implications for Public Policy." 

Mason, A.W. (1989). "Demographic Change, Household Resources and Schooling Decisions." Paper presented at the International Symposium for Sources of Economic Dynamism in the Asia and Pacific Region: A Human Resource Approach, November 20-23, Nihondaigaku, Kaikan, Tokyo, Japan. 

NEDA (1993). Training Module on Integrated Population and Development Planning. Pasig: NEDA-Integrated Population and Development Project and Raya Media Services, Inc. 

others over self

"Walang sinuman ang nabubuhay

Para sa sarili lamang

Walang sinuman ang namamatay

Para sa sarili lamang.

Tayong lahat ay may pananagutan sa isa’t isa

Tayong lahat ay tinipon ng Diyos na kapiling nya…"

-          by Eduardo P. Hontiveros, S.J.

The warm smiles- that’s what Filipinos are known for all around the globe. Hospitality is innate among this race. The Filipino people are fond of taking things lightly. It is seldom that they give in to problems. Taking things lightly has helped them to pass through a series of crisis without being adversely affected- at least emotionally. For another, the Filipinos have always been known for being a believer of a Supreme Being. But beyond the mysticism of the Filipinos, what compose them?

However good being a believer of a Supreme Being is, the tendency to exaggerate things and let the Supreme Being do the things that people are supposed to do have always been the problem among Filipinos. The Filipinos are fond of uttering the phrase "bahala na" which is actually an abridged of "Bathala na". Things are meant what they are supposed to be. Fate, sometimes, decides for most of the Filipinos. The assurance that Someone above would help them go through things has made Filipinos complacent with what happens to them. Belief in a Supreme Being has helped Filipinos go through problems. But over-dependency to the Supreme Being has brought several problems and taken opportunities away from them.

Filipinos are also known for being a disciplined person- that is, when they are in a foreign land. When it comes to their own country, they tend to neglect laws, rules and other regulations. Abroad, they use the pedestrian overpass. They throw litter at the right places. They follow traffic rules. But wait until they come back to their own country. Filipinos in the Philippines seem not to know how to properly dispose even a candy wrapper or a cigarette butt. Some also are more afraid of sweating due to climbing the pedestrian overpasses rather than risking their bodies being hit by rushing vehicles driven by careless drivers. This is the Philippines. These are the Filipinos. Only in the Philippines where Filipinos are disobedient. Abroad, they are among those who follow rules and regulations. 

What virtue is then lacking among the Filipinos? It is the sense of duty and responsibility for the society they belong. This is not to generalize that Filipinos have no sense of duty and responsibility. There are some who are very much considerate and aware that they have responsibilities and duties to perform not just for their own good but for the good of the society as a whole. Inculcating sense of duty and responsibility among the Filipino people is very much needed nowadays where the country is plagued by various problems.

If only the Filipinos have been aware that each of them has a duty to perform, the country could have been more progressive and with lesser problems. The problems that plague the country are, in one way or another, a result of lack of sense of duty to the country. The problem of rapid population growth could have been reduced if the families have been more aware that in bearing a child, they have the responsibility of ensuring that this child’s needs could be well provided for. Likewise, development problems such as waste, pollution, urban blight and environmental degradation could be mitigated if only the people are very much willing to do their part. However, most of the Filipinos are not concerned with what the society can reap from them. They are fascinated more on what he/she can get from the society where he/she belongs. Only few would bother, for instance, to throw garbage at the right place if everybody is throwing garbage everywhere.

If only the Filipinos have been aware that each of them has a responsibility for others, it is certain that the problems in governance, such as corruption, would be lessened. The corrupt leaders and the bureaucrats have little sense of responsibility which makes it easy for them to loot the monies of the people. The people who take corrupt officials for granted and think that nothing can be done to change the system are as corrupt as these leaders and politicians.

Sense of duty and responsibility is more of being aware that each and every Filipino has his/her own part or role to perform in the progress of the country as a whole. This as a virtue which encompasses all other significant virtues necessary from the individual level up to the societal level. Awareness of the role to perform means a more considerate individual. In this sense, self-discipline is achieved where the individual is cognizant of the situations of others and not just think of themselves. The very popular "Filipino time" concept in the country is due to lack of consideration to what negative effects such being late could have to others. Self-discipline in this sense is part of having sense of duty and responsibility to attend to things on time.

In sense of duty and responsibility, other virtues sprout. Each one of us has duty to perform for our Creator. Each one of us has a duty and responsibility to take care of our families. But sense of duty and responsibility should not stop there. It should lead further to a more general level where we have duties and responsibilities for people we don’t even know. If that level is achieved where we are openly willing to perform tasks for people we are not affiliated with or would not accrue us direct benefits, the society where we belong would be a society which is not dysfunctional. Having sense of duty and responsibility leads to love of fellowmen and country because such virtue emphasizes being considerate for the needs of others.

Most of the Filipinos live their lives as if these are not part of a larger whole where other people are participating in. Private interests occupy most of the thinking of the people. But this should not be the case. As what the lines of the song "Pananagutan", as quoted above, we live not for ourselves. We are part of a society which needs us to perform our respective role. The old adage "no man is an island" aptly describes what the song would want us to realize. Another line from a famous American President also provides a very definitive explanation of what a sense of duty and responsibility is- "ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country".

Only when others over self is inculcated to the minds of the Filipinos that a true development of the country can be attained. Only when the Filipinos ask what they can do for their country and not what their country can do for them that the country’s economic development would be sustained. Only when the Filipinos become aware that they have a "pananagutan" to their fellowmen and to their country that  the country could have a just and compassionate society. Only when a sense of duty and responsibility is inculcated among the Filipinos.