STRUGGLES & TRIUMPHS

• The Philippines experienced a display of courage and unity in citizens defending their individual rights, understanding the past decades in the Philippines will provide a comprehensive understanding of society development and empowerment
• Social changes and realities in the Philippines will be evaluated and analyzed in the terms of economic indicators, availability of social services, the influence of global forces, the role of social class structure in development and laws
• STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF FILIPINOS ABOUT CHANGE (SPECSEG)


  • Triumphs in Socio-Political Aspect
  • Struggles in Socio-Political Aspect
  • Triumphs in Economic Aspect
  • Struggles in Economic Aspect
  • Triumphs in Cultural Aspect
  • Struggles in Cultural Aspect
  • Triumphs in Spiritual Aspect
  • Struggles in Spiritual Aspect
  • Triumphs in Environmental Aspect
  • Struggles in Environmental Aspect
  • Triumphs in Gender Aspect
  • Struggles in Gender Aspect
• Youth Participation


  • Youth empowerment programs and initiatives enable young people to become active agents of change in their communities and society at large
• Republic Act 8044


  The Youth in Nation-Building Act
• Advocacy and Civil Society Engagement


  • Protect and promote rights, speaks in favor of, recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others
• Advocacy and Civil Society Engagement


  • Childhope's Advocacy for Street Children
  • Education Network Philippines
  • Women's Legal and Human Rights Bureau
• The Philippines has a vibrant NGO sector, with 60,000 registered aid groups, according to the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations
• NGOs play a critical role in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance
• Media and Information Advocacy


  • Media plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse, raising awareness about social issues, and holding power to account in the Philippines
• Legal Empowerment and Justice


  • Legal empowerment initiatives aim to empower marginalized and vulnerable populations to understand and assert their legal rights, access justice, and navigate legal systems effectively
• Legal Empowerment and Justice


  • Legal education and paralegal formation
  • Policy reform work
  • Public Attorney's Office (PAO)
• Public Attorney's Office (PAO)


  Attached agency of the Department of Justice (DOJ) that provides indigent litigants free legal assistance, counseling and representation
• Political Dynasties


  • The dominance of political dynasties in Philippine politics limits opportunities for genuine political participation and representation, as power tends to be concentrated within elite families
• Corruption


  • Abuse of entrusted power for private gains erodes trust, weakens democracy, hampers economic development and further exacerbates inequality, poverty, social division and the environmental crisis
• Extrajudicial Killings and Human Rights Violations


  • The prevalence of extrajudicial killings, particularly in the context of the government's war on drugs, undermines the rule of law and erodes trust in institutions
• Displacement and Land Disputes


  • Indigenous peoples and rural communities facing forced displacement, and environmental degradation due to large-scale development projects, mining operations, and agribusiness expansion
• Electoral Violence and Irregularities


  • Elections in the Philippines are marred by incidents of violence, vote-buying, and electoral fraud, which undermine the integrity of the democratic process and erode public trust in elections
• Social Protection Program


  • The government has implemented social protection programs, such as health insurance schemes, to provide support to vulnerable and low-income families
• Social Protection Program


  • Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Programme (4Ps)
  • Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan - Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services
  • Sustainable Livelihood Program
  • Adoption and Foster Care
• Infrastructure Development


  • Investments in infrastructure development, such as transportation networks, telecommunications, and energy systems, have improved connectivity, facilitated trade and investment, and enhanced productivity
• Infrastructure Development


  • Metro Cebu Expressway
  • Metro Rail Transit Line 7
  • New Manila International Airport
  • New Clark City
• Remittance of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)


  Remittances from OFWs contribute significantly to the Philippine economy, serving as a lifeline for many families and communities
• The BSP said the full-year 2023 remittances accounted for about 8.5 percent and 7.7 percent of the country's gross domestic product and gross national income
• Microfinance and Entrepreneurship Programs


  • Microfinance institutions and entrepreneurship programs have empowered individuals, particularly women and marginalized groups, to start and expand small businesses
• Microfinance and Entrepreneurship Programs


  • Negosyo Centers
  • ASA Philippines Foundation
  • Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD) Inc
• Poverty


  • A significant portion of the population lives below the poverty line, struggling to meet their basic needs for food, shelter, and healthcare
• In Dec 2023, the Poverty in the Philippines was deemed at 22.4%, which is still the target of 9% in 2028 set by the leading President Ferdinand R. Marcos. The Federal World Bank has projected the poverty rate with a fall of 17.8% in 2021 to 13.7 percent in 2023, and 10.70 percent in 2024
• Inflation


  • Lower purchasing power, higher interest rates, slower economic growth and other negative economic effects
• The Philippine Statistics Authority announced that the country's headline inflation rate for February 2024 increased slightly to 3.4 percent from 2.8 percent in January
• Income Inequality


  • The gap between the wealthy elite and the rest of the population continues to widen, leading to social tensions and exacerbating social inequalities
• According to Albert and Ramon, the poorest 20% of the population only had a share of 4.45% of the national income
• Unemployment and Underemployment


  • Limited job opportunities, particularly for young people and those living in rural areas, contribute to economic insecurity and social unrest
• According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Philippines recorded a 3.1 percent unemployment rate in December 2023, significantly lower than the 4.3 percent recorded in December 2022. This represents a year-on-year decrease of 617,000 unemployed individuals
• Low Income


  • Individuals or households have limited financial resources, resulting in their inability to meet their basic needs and access essential services
• Cultural Heritage and Preservation


  • The Philippines boasts a rich cultural heritage, with diverse traditions, languages, and artistic expressions
• Cultural Heritage and Preservation


  • National Commission for Culture and the Arts
  • Heritage Conservation Society
  • The National Cultural Heritage Act, officially designated as Republic Act No. 10066
  • RA 4846 or the Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act
• Rich in Arts and Literature


  • Fernando Amorsolo
  • Guillermo Tolentino
  • Carlos P. Romulo
  • Spoliarium by Juan Luna
• The Philippines is home to diverse ethnic groups, each with its own unique cultural traditions, languages, and beliefs
• Cultural Marginalization and Discrimination


  • Stereotypes, prejudice, and social stigma based on ethnicity, language, or socio-economic status perpetuate inequalities and hinder social inclusion