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the next twenty-five years. The mass
of our people suffer in poverty while
conscious that a happier life-style
not only is possible but has actually
been achieved by societies that were
managed more efficiently. If we had
[only] a hundred more years to
achieve ... self-discipline ... [but]
we do not have a hundred years - it
is doubtful whether we have even
ten - to provide a larger means of
satisfaction to our growing popu–
Iation and avert the whirlwind that
forros around a vacuum of unsatis–
fied demands and betrayed hopes
and aspirations."
A Wealth of Potential, But
...
The Philippines is potentially one
of the wealthiest , most productive
nations in all of Southeast Asia. But
paradoxically, these islands have
posed a continuing dilemma to
those who have striven to get the
unpredictable, often sluggish Fili–
pino economy moving forward.
Many ponderous obstacles have
stood in the way of would-be re–
formers. Among them has been the
oligarchy or land-owning class. A
mere four percent of the Philippine
population , these immensely
wealthy and powerful families have
traditionally controlled over 90 per–
cent of the nation's wealth. At the
same time, the great majority of the
population struggles with poverty,
PLAIN TRUTH November 1973
realizing a family income of perhaps
$200 per year. The firmly en–
trenched land barons have resisted
past efforts to distribute their wealth
and extensive holdings more evenly
among the population. In spite of
this often formidable political resis–
tance, President Marcos is banking
heavily upon his new martial Iaw
measures to supply the vitally
needed changes in this area.
The particular nature of the Fili–
pinos themselves has often proven
to be a hindrance to meaningful
change. A people accustomed to
domination by outside powers, the
Filipinos have developed what in
many ways amounts to a national
inferiority complex - and a corre–
sponding willingness to take life as
it comes.
Though both agricultura! and in–
dustrial potential is great, the Fili–
pino economy remains seriously
inefficient. Inflation is skyrocketing,
presently running over 20 percent
per year. Food costs are soaring as
well, due in part to recent weather
upsets and other natural disasters.
Filipinos as a group are among
the best educated peoples of South–
east Asia. But tragically, there is
often very little opportunity to put a
hard-won education to proper use.
Unemployment runs above 10 per–
cent, with underemployment far
higher. Many university graduales
M.slem children, victims of
acute malnutrition, at a refugee
center outside Cotabato City
(upper left) . At the Hilton Hotel,
young people with degrees are
employed for blue-collar jobs
(lower left) . Highly educated men
and women have difficulty find–
ing jobs. Land oí/ explorations in
1/oilo are conducted by the Soriano
companies under the Philippine
Oil Development Corporation (near
left).
Romeo Vitvg
pften consider themselves privileged
to be able to work as houseboys or
barroen in Manila's tourist hotels.
Further compounding the prob–
lems is the fact that the Philippines
has one of the world's highest birth
rates, sorne
3.4
percent annually.
This will produce, at current rates, a
population of approximately
50
mil–
lion by the end of this decade and a
soaring eighty million by the year
2000.
Political Reform
Marcos' centralization of govern–
mental authority has curtailed
much, though not all, of the ramp–
ant corruption and violence which
for so many years made Filipino
politics famous (or infamous) the
world over. Efforts toward reducing
the role of political nepotism and
favoritism have already met with at
least partía! success.
The gun-toting violence which
menaced almost every aspect of
Philippine society has been sharply
reduced by Marcos' widely publi–
cized call for the handing in of prí–
vate!y owned weapons. plus an
enforced midnight -to-four a.m. cur–
few.
Future - A Question Mark
The future of the Philippines
stands very much
in
doubt. Many
voice optimism; others are not so
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