17 years and counting….

Elizabeth Angsioco, National Chairperson of the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP), one of the front liners pushing for the passage of the long-delayed RH bill, emphasized that the proposed law contains provisions that will save mothers from dying.

According to her, the passage of the bill will mean greater access for women and young people, particularly girls, to: information and education that can help them better care for their bodies and health; family planning services, proven worldwide to make for healthy, properly timed, intended, and safe pregnancies; and, other life-saving services that address pregnancy and childbirth complications.

“Poor women and girls do not understand why their lives are jeopardized by those who oppose the RH bill’s passage – particularly the very few rich people who do not have to deal with RH-related problems they face; the men who will never experience pregnancies and its complications; and the Catholic hierarchy who are without wives whose lives many be put in danger and children whose future need preparing for,” stressed Angisoco.

Adding that women cannot understand why Congress, composed of  honorable representatives and senators, are turning a deaf ear to their clamor for the passage of the RH bill, she said, “After all, Congress is mandated to pass legislations that respond to people’s needs.”

Angsioco argues that all recent studies and surveys underscore the urgency of passing the RH bill.   She emphasized that the National Statistics Office’s 2011 Family Health Survey indicates an increase in the Maternal Mortality Rates (MMR) from 162 per 100,000 births to 221 per 100,000 births in 2010. “Thus, from the previous estimate of 11 women dying daily, this has increased to at least 12 mothers’ deaths daily due to pregnancy and/or childbirth-related complications,” she explained.

Moreover, according to her, this finding is significantly related with reports earlier this year that 10% of annual births are due to adolescent pregnancies. “It doesn’t take a genius to realize that adolescent pregnancies are risky because girls’ bodies are not yet ready for pregnancy,” she asserted.

“That mothers, particularly poor and girl mothers continue to die, and in bigger numbers due to preventable causes is totally unjust, totally unacceptable.  Congress must not wait any longer. It should use its power to enact a law that will address maternal mortality head on,” she ended. xxx

For more information please contact Ms. Rhoda Avila at Mobile No. 09178855782.

The first-quarter survey, conducted face-to-face from March 10-13 among 1,200 adults nationwide, showed adult unemployment hitting a record-high 34.4%, equivalent to about 13.8 million individuals.

This was 10 points more than the 24% — or about 9.7 million — recorded in the December 2011 survey and surpassed the previous record of 34.2% in February 2009.

The SWS findings compared with the government’s own Labor Force Survey (LFS) in January which showed unemployment rate eased slightly to 7.2% that month from 7.4% the previous year, with the ranks of the jobless barely moving to 2.922 million from 2.917 million in the same periods.

Responding to results of the SWS survey, a Palace official said government continued to work on generating more jobs, even as he cited the LFS’s wider respondent base, while a private sector economist noted the survey institution’s unemployment findings jibe with those of its latest poverty and hunger surveys.

SWS said its latest survey found that the unemployed — covering those aged at least 18 years who did not have work and were looking for a job — consisted of 13% retrenched, 15% resigned and 6% first-time job seekers.

Ten percent of the retrenched had previous contracts that were not renewed, 2% whose employers closed shop and 1% who were laid off.

Since November 2010, the number of unemployed has been dominated by those who voluntarily left their jobs and those who lost them under economic circumstances beyond their control, SWS said.

The survey also found that 33% of respondents said the number of available jobs in the next 12 months will not change, while 26% expected more jobs and 25% said there will be less job openings.

Compared to the previous quarter, the proportion of those whose contracts were not renewed rose to 10% from 7%, those who were laid off stayed at 1%, while those whose employers closed shop stayed at 2%.

The proportion of those who resigned increased to 15% from 9% in the same period, while that of first-time job seekers rose to 6% from 5%.

Unemployment was relatively high among women, though there was a bigger jump from the December survey among jobless men.

SWS noted that compared to the previous quarter, unemployment rate among men increased by about 12 points to 27.6% in March from 15.2% in December 2011, while that of women rose seven points to 43.0% from 35.6%.

The unemployment rate was highest among the younger segments: 55.9% of respondents ages 18-24 years from 49.1% in December, and 45.4% among those ages 24-34 years from 29.9%.

The jobless rate among those aged at least 45 years grew to 30.8% from 17.3% in the same period, while those ages 35-44 years saw this proportion rise to 21.7% from 18.7%.

Sought for comment, Secretary Herminio B. Coloma, Jr. of the Presidential Communications and Operations Office said, “We continue to exert greater efforts to generate more employment opportunities.”

He added, however, that “in the broader-based Labor Force Survey conducted by the National Statistics Office with more than 52,000 respondents nationwide, latest unemployment rate is at 7.2% which is lower than what was recorded in the previous administration.”

Still, for Benjamin E. Diokno, economics professor at the University of the Philippines, “The rise in adult joblessness is consistent with the increase in poverty and hunger as shown in the SWS survey results.”

Those SWS surveys, also conducted on March 10-13, showed the percentage of respondents experiencing involuntary hunger at least once in the past three months hit a new record high of 23.8%, equivalent to 4.8 million families, while those who rated themselves poor increased to 55%, equivalent to some 11.1 million families, from 45%, or 9.1 million families, in December.

“The three problems are intertwined,” Mr. Diokno said.

“The results suggest that creating jobs should be on top of the government’s agenda.” – with inputs from A. S. O. Alegado

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“In honor of Women’s Month, we came up with a list of women who have changed or are working to change the way things are done or perceived. They have shown us that one does not necessarily need to do things in a grand fashion in order to make a big difference. The women on our list range from a young survivor of tragedy to literary stalwarts who may have passed away but whose works will live on to inspire future generations.” – SPOT.ph

read more…

Published in May 8, 2012 issue of BusinessWorld, the media partner of SWS.

HUNGER CLAIMS HAVE RISEN in tandem with poverty, with a record-high number of Filipino families saying they experienced having nothing to eat based on the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

The nationwide poll, fielded over March 10-13, found the proportion of respondents who experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the past three months at 23.8%, equivalent to an estimated 4.8 million families and up from the 22.5% (4.5 million families) recorded last December.

While hunger incidence has been over 20% in the past three quarters, the SWS said the latest count surpassed the previous 23.7% peak recorded in December 2008.

Cabinet officials attributed the increase to recent calamities, among them tropical storm Sendong that devastated parts of Mindanao and the Visayas last December. They said the government would continue ramping up its anti-poverty and nutrition programs, and is continuing its conditional cash transfer (CCT) program to reach the poorest households.

The hunger findings follow the SWS’ release last week of its self-rated poverty survey where 55% of the respondents — equivalent to an estimated 11.1 million families — claimed to be poor, a 10-point jump to the highest result so far for the Aquino administration.

The latest measure of hunger, which refers to involuntary suffering due to the lack of anything to eat, was due to slight increases in “moderate” as well as “severe hunger.”

Those who experienced hunger “only once” or “a few times”, including the few who did not state their frequency of hunger, are categorized under moderate hunger. Severe hunger, meanwhile, refers to those who experienced hunger “often” or “always.”

Moderate hunger saw a 0.3-point increase to 18.0% (estimated 3.7 million families) from 17.7% (est. 3.6 million families) last December.

Severe hunger, meanwhile, saw a 1.1-point increase to a near record-high 5.8% (1.2 million families) from 4.7% (est. 955,000 families). The new count is just below the 6.0% peak hit in March 2001.

The SWS said household heads’ claims about poverty in general, being poor in terms of food and going hungry were “internally consistent.”

It said hunger was at 32.4% among the self-rated poor, more than double the 13.5% for those who said they were not poor. This compares to December’s 33.6% hunger rate among the self-rated poor and the 13.3% among the not poor/borderline.

Similarly, 37.3% among the self-rated food poor claimed to have experienced hunger in the first quarter, almost three times the 13.0% among the not food-poor/food-borderline. Last December, the hunger rate was 38.1% among the self-rated food poor and 13.7% among the not food-poor/food-borderline.

Severe hunger incidence, the SWS said, increased to 9.2% from 8.0% among the self-rated poor but fell to 1.7% from 2.1% for the not poor/borderline families. Among the self-rated food poor, severe hunger rose to 10.5% from 9.1%, whereas it went down to 2.0% from 2.3% among the not food-poor/food-borderline.

Moderate hunger among self-rated poor families, meanwhile, dropped to 23.2% from 25.6%. Among not poor/borderline families, it went to 11.8% from 11.2%. The figure went to 26.8% from 29.0% among the self-rated food poor, and dipped to 11.0% from 11.4% among the not food-poor/food-borderline.

Across geographical areas, overall hunger increased everywhere but the Visayas, where it fell 14.7 points to 10.3% (est. 399,500 families) from 25.0% (957,000 families).

It rose by seven points in Mindanao, to 26.7% (1.3 million families); five points in Balance Luzon, to 28.0% (est. 2.5 million families) — just 0.3 point shy of last September’s record-high; and by 2.3 points in Metro Manila to 24.3% (est. 691,000 families).

Moderate hunger fell by 14.3 points in the Visayas to 7.7%, dipped by 0.7 point in Metro Manila to 16.3%, but rose by five points to 22.0% in Balance Luzon and by four points to 20.0% in Mindanao. The SWS said these were still higher than the 13-year averages for all areas, except in the Visayas where it was 2.8 points below its 13-year average of 10.5%.

Severe hunger, meanwhile, fell slightly in the Visayas to 2.7% from 3.0% and stayed at 6.0% in Balance Luzon. However, it rose by three points in both Metro Manila, to 8.0%, and in Mindanao, to 6.7%. The latest rates are higher than their 13-year averages in all areas except in the Visayas where it was just below the 13-year average of 3.2%, the SWS said.

Sought for comment, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the Aquino administration was continuing to address the issues of poverty and hunger but noted that calamities had dealt setbacks to programs.

“The ill effects are still being felt of the calamities last year” Mr. Lacierda yesterday said.

“CCT is there, but CCT will not be able to help at once because there is displacement and dislocation. It’s understandable that they would rate themselves as poor or hungry…,” he added.

“We are directly addressing this, otherwise we won’t be pushing for a greater number of CCT beneficiaries … we believe that our programs are taking effect.”

For her part, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon J. Soliman noted that the areas where hunger incidence was highest coincided with last year’s typhoon damage.

She said a total of 3,029,374 households — mostly in Mindanao — were enrolled in the CCT program as of March 21. Through the program, poor households receive as much as P1,400 per month provided that children are sent to school and expectant mother gets check-ups.

The latest SWS poll involved face-to-face interviews of 1,200 respondents. The error margins used were ±3% anfor national and ±6% for area percentages. – Johanna Paola D. Poblete

The First Quarter 2012 Social Weather Survey, fielded over May 10-13, 2012, found that 55% (estimated 11.1 million) families consider themselves as Mahirap or Poor, 10 points higher than the 45% (estimated 9.1 million) in December 2011.

It also found that 45% (est. 9.1 million) consider themselves as Food-Poor, 9 points up from the 36% (estimated 7.2 million) in the previous quarter.

Poverty and Food-poverty rose in Mindanao and Visayas

Self-Rated Poverty hardly changed in Metro Manila and Balance Luzon, but rose in Mindanao and the Visayas.

Compared to the previous quarter, it hardly changed in Metro Manila, from 47% to 46%, while it stayed at 45% in Balance.

However, it rose sharply by 34 points in Mindanao, from 38% to 72% — the highest in over eight years, since 77% in November 2003.

It also rose in the Visayas, up by 9 points from 52% in the previous quarter to 61% now.

It barely changed in urban areas, from 41% to 40%, but rose by 17 points in rural areas, from 49% to 66%.

Self-Rated Food Poverty, on the other hand, hardly changed in Metro Manila, from 31% in December 2011 to 30% in March 2012, and in Balance Luzon, from 37% to 38%.

However, it rose by 34 points in Mindanao, from 30% to 64%, and by 4 points in the Visayas, from 43% to 47%.

Poverty thresholds remain sluggish everywhere

The Self-Rated Poverty Threshold, or the monthly budget that poor households need in home expenses in order not to consider themselves poor in general, remain sluggish for several years despite considerable inflation. This indicates that poor families have been lowering their living standards, i.e., belt-tightening.

Compared to the previous quarter, the median poverty threshold for poor households rose to P10,000 in Balance Luzon, P12,000 in Metro Manila, P8,000 in the Visayas, and P7,000 in Mindanao.

As of March 2012, the median food-poverty threshold for poor households rose to P6,500 in Metro Manila, P5,000 in Balance Luzon, P4,500 in the Visayas, and P4,000 in Mindanao.

The March 2012 Self-Rated Poverty and Self-Rated Food Poverty thresholds have already been surpassed in the past for all areas.

Survey Background

The March 2012 Social Weather Survey was conducted from March 10-13, 2012 using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults in Metro Manila, the Balance of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao (sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages, ±6% for area percentages).

The area estimates were weighted by National Statistics Office medium-population projections for 2012 to obtain the national estimates.

The SWS survey questions about the family’self-rated poverty and self-rated food-poverty are directed to the household head. These items are non-commissioned, and are always included on SWS’s own initiative and released as a public service, with first printing rights assigned to BusinessWorld.

The survey questions on Self-Rated Poverty is as follows: “Saan po ninyo ilalagay ang inyong pamilya sa kard na ito?” ["Where would you place your family in this card?"]. A showcard with the choices HINDI MAHIRAP (Not poor), SA LINYA (On the line), MAHIRAP (Poor) is shown.

The Self-Rated Poverty Threshold is then obtained with a follow-up question: “KUNG MAHIRAP: Upang di na masabing mahirap kayo, magkano sa palagay ninyo ang pinakamababang panggastos sa bahay sa isang buwan na kailangan ng inyong pamilya?” ["IF POOR: In your opinion, how much money would your family need for home expenses each month in order not to be called poor anymore?"]

For Self-Rated Food Poverty: “Tungkol naman sa klase ng pagkain ng pamilya ninyo, saan po ninyo ilalagay ang inyong pamilya sa kard na ito?” ["Based on the type of food eaten by your family, where would you place your family on this card?"] A similar showcard with the choices HINDI MAHIRAP (Not poor), SA LINYA (On the line), MAHIRAP (Poor) is shown to the respondent.

The Self-Rated Food Poverty Threshold is also obtained using a follow-up question: “KUNG MAHIRAP: Upang di na masabing mahirap kayo, batay sa pagkain, magkano sa palagay ninyo ang pinakamababang panggastos sa pagkain sa isang buwan na kailangan ng inyong pamilya?” ["IF POOR: In your opinion, how much money would your family need for food expenses each month in order not to be called poor anymore in terms of food?"]

SWS employs its own staff for questionnaire design, sampling, fieldwork, data-processing, and analysis, and does not outsource any of its survey operations.

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Following Gonzales’ statement, Elizabeth Angsioco, National Chairperson of the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP) said that if the House leadership wants to already terminate the debates on the RH bill, it can very well do so under its rules without going to a vote. The “test vote” as explained, is unnecessary.

“After all, the bill has been under deliberation for more than 12 years and everything that can be discussed has already been exhausted,” Angsioco stressed.  “Insisting on more debates is really about further delaying the vote on the RH bill,” she added.

According to Angsioco DSWP members face the sad realities experienced by women in poor communities’ and are disheartened by the Department of Health report that in January alone, 50 maternal deaths have been recorded in Metro Manila.  “We deeply sympathize with the families left by these women but at same time frustrated knowing that those deaths could have been prevented if the RH law is already in place,” she said.

Moreover, Angsioco cited news report that said 10 girls were found pregnant in only one high school in Ilocos Norte. “This could have been averted if our young people have an age-appropriate RH education which is an important provision of the RH bill,” she explained.

Angioso asserted that the public has seen how powerful the House leadership is. “We know how fast the House can work on matters it deems important, just like on the ongoing impeachment cases.  We have also seen how a single text message from the office of the Speaker can magically make absent Representatives appear in Plenary when they want to have a quorum,” she said.

Unfortunately, the Filipino masses have yet to see the same political will on bills that will benefit ordinary people, most especially poor women, Angsioco emphasized.  “A test vote on the RH bill is unnecessary. What women need is the REAL vote that the HOR leadership can actually immediately do,” she continued.

“March 8 is International Women’s Day and March is women’s month here. Let the lawmakers be reminded that they owe women this – the vote on the RH bill,” Angsioco ended.xxx

For more information please contact Ms. Rhoda Avila at Mobile No. 09178855782.

According to Elizabeth Angsioco, National Chairperson of the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP), the Department of Health report is quite alarming and should wake up  sleeping representatives in Congress.

“These deaths are caused by inadequate reproductive health services needed in preventing and responding to such complications and therefore, saving mothers’ lives,” lamented Angsioco.

Angsioco stressed that these services are contained in the RH bill that has been continuously delayed for more than 12 years by Philippine Congress.

“It is frustrating that Congress is quick to act on political issues like impeachment but very slow when it comes to legislation that will address ordinary people’s needs, especially those of poor women,” said Angsioco.

Angsioco added, “It is detestable that the House of Representatives (HOR) in particular, has been almost paralyzed because of the ongoing impeachment trial despite the fact that only a handful of them are directly involved in it. The HOR knows very well that its legislative functions should not be neglected.

DSWP head extends blame to President Aquino, who has been too preoccupied with removing the chief Justice who heads a supposedly co-equal branch of government, and in the process seems to have set aside his promises to the Filipino people, especially to those that will redound to their well-being like the RH bill.

“Two years in office is more than enough for him to achieve this as shown by the other issues where he got what he wanted from Congress,” asserted Angsioco. “The President needs to be sternly reminded that many voted for him because of his promise to push for the RH bill passage.”

Moreover, “the deaths of these mothers are on the heads of these government officials. How many more mothers need to die before those who are mandated to save them begin to act?” Angsioco asked.

Urging government officials to end the political intramurals, Angsioco said, “the executive should fulfill its promises and mandate, especially those contained in P-Noy’s Social Contract with the Filipino people.”

Lastly, Angsioco urgently called on Congress to put RH bill into vote.  “For once, our political leaders should do something for mothers, especially poor mothers who are dying every day due to pregnancy and childbirth-related complications,” she ended. XXX