Philippines Worried For Poor Despite Strong Growth
Muhammad Rameez Published August 18, 2016 | 02:16 PM
MANILA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Augst,2016) : The Philippine economy expanded 7.0 percent in the second quarter, official data showed Thursday, but President Rodrigo Duterte's new government said major changes were needed to fix one of Asia's biggest rich-poor divides. The April-to-June period covered the final months of Benigno Aquino's administration, capping six years of stellar growth that helped boost the Philippines' credit ratings and end its reputation as one of the region's economic laggards. However, Duterte won a landslide election victory partly on his railings against the nation's elite who have soaked up much of the benefits of the growth, while leaving a quarter of the nation's 100 million people living below the poverty line. Duterte's economic chiefs on Thursday credited the 7.0-percent growth on annualised basis in the second quarter, the fastest in three years, to Aquino's "sound marco-economic, fiscal and monetary policies", but emphasised the poor were continuing to be left behind. "We need to sustain that rebalancing toward investment-driven growth, especially investment that will lead to more inclusive, poverty-reducing, inequality-reducing growth," Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said.
Pernia said the Duterte administration was particularly concerned about the farming and fisheries sector, which accounts for about 10 million workers and their families. "Knowing that the majority of poor Filipinos rely on this sector for their livelihood, this administration will prioritise agricultural development," he said. The sector declined 2.1 percent from April-June, the fifth consecutive quarter of declines. Nevertheless, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez also said Aquino's administration had helped set the foundations for even stronger overall growth, setting a target of at least 7 percent for the second half of this year and 6.5-7.5 percent in 2017. "Our strong macro-economic fundamentals will buffer the Philippine economy from external shocks," Dominguez said. The government is aiming to cut the poverty rate from 26 percent currently to 17 percent when Duterte steps down in 2022. Dominguez said this would begin with a stimulus programme focused on infrastructure, education and health. The government on Tuesday unveiled its 2017 budget, announcing an overall increase of 11.6 percent in spending.
Education was one of the biggest winners, with a 31-percent rise.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
More Stories From World
-
Migrant boat capsizes off Djibouti leaving 21 dead
4 hours ago -
Tesla profits tumble 55% as EV sales under pressure
4 hours ago -
Talks on global plastic treaty begin in Canada
5 hours ago -
Migrant deportations loom after parliament passes UK-Rwanda plan
5 hours ago -
Macron in last-ditch bid to halt EU vote battering
5 hours ago -
Ukraine moves to bring military-aged men home to fight
7 hours ago
-
Asia hit hardest by climate change, extreme weather: UN weather agency
7 hours ago -
Muscles and masterpieces: Louvre offers Olympic sport sessions
7 hours ago -
Migrant boat capsizes off Djibouti leaving 16 dead
7 hours ago -
UK Rwanda law sparks fear among migrants hoping to cross Channel
9 hours ago -
China issues highest-level rainstorm warning after deadly floods
9 hours ago -
UK's Sunak announces raised defence spending, new Ukraine aid
9 hours ago