Be updated on our latest insights

SINCE about five decades ago, the Philippine economy has gone on what appears to be an irreversible downward spiral in comparison with our now nine Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) neighbors. As shown in a World Bank report, in 2020, the Philippines ranked No. 6 in per capita income (gross domestic product) at almost $3,000. Vietnam appears to be catching up on us soon, making us No. 7 and just ahead of Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. We used to be No. 1.

IMPROVING Philippine agriculture, which includes fishery and forestry products, has been a persistent major issue since much of the 20th century. Unfortunately, we continue to struggle to come to grips with it.

THE Philippines is probably one of the very few countries in the world that does not speak a primary language on a national scale. This situation, unfortunately, has grave disadvantages, more directly in political and educational development and, hence, ultimately in economic development.

A HEART breaking face of poverty is the present day preponderance of undernutrition of Filipino young children.

THE present widespread presence of homeless and informal settlers in our society is another tormenting face of dehumanizing poverty in our country. Improving their current condition clearly needs direct government intervention. Otherwise, this problem will persist for a long time. The normal course of events cannot make it disappear or even mitigate it to any reasonable extent.

A HEARTBREAKING face of poverty is the present-day preponderance of undernutrition or malnutrition of young Filipino children.

IF I were the country's next president, my overarching program would be to substantially reduce poverty. There are several aspects to this great undertaking. I will deal first with what I call providing "Siguradong Sahod" to a targeted group - those families within the poverty threshold, as currently defined.

AS president, I will devote my whole six-year term to providing a much more effective, efficient, decisive and widely focused national leadership with the primary objective of transforming the Filipino nation into a fair, just, equitable and economically well-developed society and, thus, take a big leap forward from what it is today.