The great divide between the poor and the rich in the country is nowhere more clear than when one goes to the rural areas.
In the seaside village of Sabang here in Calabanga, I have seen not one but too many, more than many, nipa houses like the one pictured above, inhospitable for people to live in. Dilapidated. Frail. Not safe for human habitation. Inadequate. Etc.
Suddenly, I had more questions than answers. Considering there are many bayside and uptown (mountain) villages here, then how many thousands can one find in Calabanga, in the province of Camarines Sur, in the Bicol region?
To top it all, Albay provincial governor and presidential economic adviser Joey Salceda, the other day, has confirmed that “the rich have gotten richer, but the ranks of the poor have expanded amid the economic growth since 2001” in the country.
Even with 102 months or 8.5 years of “uninterrupted expansion in the past nine years” there was little done to reduce poverty and the number of impoverished people. The official National Statistical Coordination Board released data the number of poor Filipinos- five-member families living on a little more than P1,200.00 or US $26.18 a month (at a conversion rate of US $1.00= P45.82) has increased by 2.13 million in 2006 (to 27.60 million) from the previous 25.47 million in 2001.
What’s in store for the children of Sabang in the light of this harsh economic truth? They are among the most adversely affected even as they are greatly suffering now. Perhaps, they will continue being fishermen and fish vendors, as had been for the past and many generations that came before them. Deprived of education, robbed of opportunities, devoid of drea
I was about to post a follow-up on my first post nipa palm today but had to make a revision instead. Anyway, the nipa shingles like the batch above are used as roof and walls to make a nipa hut with bamboo posts.
More interesting read here: Wealthy Scions of the Philippines and here The G20 Nations.
This is my post for This is My World. Many thanks to Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy, Louise and Sylvia for hosting this wonderful meme: My World – Tuesday.
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Poverty just doesn’t ever seem to go away regardless of what else is going on. We’re seeing so much of it everywhere and one wonders, when and where does it end! Great post, thank you!
Sylvia
Poverty will never go away as long as the crocodiles are still in the position.
Initao Sunset
It is sad that many of the rich are sheltered in their small little community, safe and oblivious of the real world out there. And yeah, there are too many heartless people in their posts making the rich (that includes themselves) richer. Thanks for a wonderful, timely post.
one sad thing in this world is that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer
a tough life indeed
Poverty will never go from face of the earth as long as greed and corruption exist. This is true in all parts of the world.
So true. In rich and poor countries, poverty has always been present.
There is still a huge disaprity when it comes to the rich and poor in the Philippines.
Please drop by my blog site when you get a chance.
Hello…I am looking for a wholesaler of nipa shingles for delivery to Pampanga. Could you possibly refer me to a supplier? My mobile is 09164509206. Thanks
Stumbled into this site by chance but I’m sure glad I clicked on that link. Thank you so much.