For most Filipinos, the Philippines is not a hopeless country

Aside from the fact that fewer Filipinos consider themselves as poor and food poor, majority of Filipinos see hope in the Philippines and would rather stay in the Philippines than to move to another country.

The latest Pulse Asia survey said that Filipinos have become hopeful of the Philippines this year and a majority of them would not migrate to another country despite the prevailing controversies in the country.

The number of Filipinos who disagree that the Philippines is a hopeless case have increased to 68 percent compared to the 2007 survey result of 54 percent. This sentiment is highly manifested in Mindanao with 75 percent to 79 percent; in urban Visayas with 77 percent; and among government and private sector employees with 75 percent.

What is more noteworthy is the fact that even the Filipino farmers and fishermen disagree that the Philippines is a hopeless country. When asked if the country is hopeless, 77 percent of them, answered no.

Furthermore, the latest survey showed that a majority of Filipinos would decline if given an opportunity to migrate to another country. About 54 percent would rather not leave if given a chance to migrate while only 20 percent said they will. Pulse Asia said that the desire to leave the country has significantly declined compared to the result of the October 2007 survey at 43 percent.

Pulse Asia noted that most people in Luzon and those in the rural areas of the country do not want to migrate.

The survey also noted that the people who are inclined to migrate to another country have college degrees.

This is a good manifestation that the value of patriotism or love of country has not been lost among Filipinos.(PIA 8)

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Fruits of PGMA's anti-hunger, anti-poverty thrusts starting to be felt by the people

The dramatic reduction of the number of Filipinos who consider themselves poor and food poor as reflected in the latest poll survey, is a manifestation that the government's anti poverty and hunger mitigation programs under the Administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo are already starting to be felt by the people.

There is a reason for the President to be happy because the drop in the self-poverty rating of Filipino families from 59 percent to 52 percent is the lowest since the Marcos regime.

But the President, ever a team player, does not claim the credit all by herself saying that "this is the result of a mixed careful planning, economic reforms and the hard work of many people that enabled us to reduce the self-poverty rating."

Everybody knows however, that because of the President's political will, the implementation of harsh but necessary fiscal reforms as well as the intensified poverty alleviation and hunger mitigation program produced positive results for Filipino families despite the current world financial crisis.

The government has implemented tough economic reforms to raise revenues in order to generate additional resources and invest in human and physical infrastructure that will attract more investments.

The effect was that with the investments in infrastructure, more jobs were created which meant that more people are able to buy food for their families.

The investment in infrastructure stimulated the economy and provided a social safety net at a time when it is most needed.

The country is fortunate because it has a cushion in place to help the poor. As the President said, "all of these actions were taken before there was a hint of global crisis and they are serving us so well now." (PIA 8)

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Tacloban is now a highly urbanized city

Tacloban is now a Highly Urbanized City. The people of Tacloban have spoken. They are for Tacloban's conversion from a component city to highly urbanized city.

Last night, City Elections Officer Susan Collamar proclaimed Tacloban as already a Highly Urbanized City following her announcement of the official result of the plebiscite held on December 18 in the City of Tacloban.

In an interview with Atty. Collamar, she said that the Yes to HUC garnered about 36,352 votes while the NO to HUC got over 21,419 votes. So as of last night, Tacloban City is already a highly urbanized city, she added.

Atty. Collamar said that she has already sent the Department of Interior and Local Government a copy of the results of the plebiscite, so the DILG has been informed already.

The voters turn-out, about 57 percent, is encouraging, Atty. Collamar said. No untoward incidents were recorded in the generally peaceful and orderly conduct of the plebiscite, she added.

There were complaints about their names not included in the voters list and the precincts were still closed, but these are common problems during the conduct of any elections, Atty Collamar said.

Meanwhile, DILG Region 8 Assistant Regional Director Atty. Aida Laruda said that the City DILG has already written the Regional Office informing about the result of the just-concluded plebiscite. The Regional Office in turn will communicate the matter to the DILG Central Office.

President Arroyo earlier, on October 4, 2008, proclaimed that Tacloban City has met all the qualifications of a Highly Urbanized City by virtue of Proclamation No. 1637 entitled Conversion of Tacloban City into a Highly Urbanized City.

The ultimate decision, however, was laid in the hands of the voters, whether they want Tacloban City to be converted into a highly urbanized city or not. Yesterday, they made their decision and it was for the affirmative. (PIA 8)

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