by Ranell Martin M. Dedicatoria, KRU-KMD, SEARCA
03-July-2008 SEARCA News Release
Expanding the economic pie (income) coupled with the distribution of growth channels (social services) are two ways to reduce poverty, says SEARCA Director Arsenio M. Balisacan during the Agriculture and Development Seminar Series (ADSS) last July 1, 2008.
Titled “The Philippine Growth Poverty Conundrum,” his lecture debated that despite the existing programs to combat poverty, the poor remains to be severely neglected and anti-poverty programs have weak impacts to targeted groups.
Policymakers need to move the Philippines towards higher ground by looking beyond economic growth. Instead, the accessibility of the poor to productive assets and social services such as education, health, and infrastructure should be expanded.
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Related links:
The Philippine Growth Poverty Conundrum by Arsenio M. Balisacan (full presentation)
Why Does Poverty Persist in the Philippines? by Arsenio M. Balisacan, SEARCA Discussion Paper Series
You may also read his book "Reasserting the Rural Development Agenda: Lessons Learned and Emerging Challenges in Asia".
