Hi Actually the Philippines could be one of the Richest countries in Asia as it has huge natural resources the main reason the country has a poor image is because of corruption hopefully this will change its going to a long painful process but it's possible,already money is starting to come into the country

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10abuse

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Hi Actually the Philippines could be one of the Richest countries in Asia as it has huge natural resources the main reason the country has a poor image is because of corruption hopefully this will change its going to a long painful process but it's possible,already money is starting to come into the country

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00abuse

REASONS:
1. Overpopulation
2. Intellectually challenged population
3. Lack of quality education

REMEDY:
1. Get rid of the Catholic Church
2. Don't produce more kids than what the family can afford
3. Build quality housing and schools

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51abuse

Corruption is the effect, not the cause.

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01abuse

Also while there is terroist activity going on it has been difficult to get the investment and infrastructure here as investors are nervous which is understandable hopefully that will change in the not too distant future

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00abuse

Choosing an expat health insurance provider is an important decision. Get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA. With Cigna Global Health Options, you can create an international health insurance plan that's perfectly tailored for the needs of you and your family.

Spruik the one thing you will never get rid of and that's the Catholic Church The Philippines was founded on Catholicism it's what makes the Philippines Tick so love it or hate it it's here to stay

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00abuse

Philippines need to drop their shortsighted policies.

Give foreigners easy acces to visas and allow them to own property and businesses.

Capital inflow will dramatically increase, which provides jobs, which in turn reduces poverty,

The country will be les reliant on their overseas domestic workers (often wasted by the locals).

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00abuse

Seernai, everybody is fully aware of what you say, but as long as the country keeps producing kids they cannot afford, educate and house, there is no hope.

Now the church opposes Duterte's plan to provide free contraceptives. It's not even a Christian church.

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00abuse

Of course it's a Christian church Why do you think most of the country shuts down on Holy Week

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00abuse

Holy week is Catholic dogma, not a Christian teaching.

People have been fooled in believing the Catholicism = Christianity.

If you care to study the Bible, you might become 'enlightened'... :)

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10abuse

Regarding visas it's the only country in Asia that you can stay for up to 3 years without leaving the country on a Tourist visa and yes there are many visas available to foreigners I don't know what more they can do on visas, one thing they could relax and that is being able to own land and your own house without having to have a Filipino partner involved

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00abuse

>>>
Regarding visas it's the only country in Asia that you can stay for up to 3 years without leaving the country on a Tourist visa ...
<<<

Incorrect,

Cambodia allows any visitor to extend their visa for 12 months, indefinately. Without ever leaving the country.

But we're drifting off-topic.

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00abuse

A major reason is their Filipino first policy. An interesting read although a bit long.

https://correctphilippines.org/filipino_first_fail/

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10abuse

But to get into Cambodia you need to get a visa before you go there at least for Brits

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00abuse

It can't just be corruption why is Bangladesh, Pakistan, parts of Africa etc etc so poor Philippines is not the only poor country in the world.
As for giving foreigners the right to buy property that would drive house prices up so far that locals would not be able to afford to live there. And the areas taken by foreigners would be prime areas.
As for investment keep watching, there is going to be huge investment by the Japanese and some Korean as well as Chinese.
Du30 has assigned half the Philippine army to mindanaou to hunt down the rebels. If he succeeds and I hope he does Mindanaou will benefit as well.
Nothing ever stays the same good or bad. Things will change, for the better hopefully

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00abuse

>>>
But to get into Cambodia you need to get a visa before you go there at least for Brits
<<<

INCORRECT
Anyone can get a 1-month visa on arrival (USD 30), and extend it to 12 months the next (or even same) day.

Every year, currently the cost of around USD 300. No need to leave.

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00abuse

If your on a Tourist visa in Cambodia you can extend for another 30 days after that you have to leave the country if you get an ordinary visa what you say is correct.. .. for now you can extend indefinitely I have just looked it up but I don't know if English is as widely spoken as it is here in the Philippines so that is something else to consider I have always wanted to visit Cambodia but a little wary of the security situation there

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00abuse

freetheirminds2

Read that article from GaryD. Hits the nail on the head, and gives you more insight.

https://correctphilippines.org/filipino_first_fail/

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00abuse

Yes, you need to buy an ordinary visa on arrival (not a 'tourist' visa). Ordinary visa costs USD 5 more.

True that English is an issue, as it is not taught in every school. Educated people generally speak English quite well.

Security is also an issue and you can see every house surrounded by high walls and barbed wire.

However, it appears to me that Khmer people are less jalous than the Pinoys.

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00abuse

Why are the Phils so poor? Well, its the same answer for Latin America and Africa. Its the IMF, BIS and World Bank. Loans are given to the 3rd world in the guise of development. But this is just a ruse. It's to get their paws on the world's natural resources. The loans are high interest and MUST be pain in US dollars only.

So how does the 3rd world get dollars? The must export their resources to get dollars. These resources that should have stayed in their respective nations to build infrastructure, schools and hospitals is looted away. A few nations that were able to pay of their debts: Iraq, Libya and Syria.

This simplified cartoon explains it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-dsiufhMu0

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00abuse

Corruption is just one cause of poverty. This goes back to Spanish Colonial times. It's ingrained up to now in its political & govt. system. Even in Latin American countries where they used to be colonized by Spain; corruption & poverty is rampant. Oligarchy was also introduced after Philippines was granted independence by America. Over population is another cause of poverty. This is due to the dogmatic teachings of the Catholic church against unnatural birth control. Again another vestiges of the Spanish Colonial times.

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10abuse

Due to the widespread poverty, many have the need to borrow and see scamming each other (corruption is born) as justified, looking for a way out and scam their foreign husbands too, even after he has given her the moon and the stars.

The church has a lot to answer for but the people cannot, or refuse to, see it.

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10abuse

Bad habits dating back to Spanish Colonial times that contribute to poverty.

1. Crab mentality
There are some of us Filipinos who got a bitter view at competition—that if we cannot win, then no one will. Instead of helping each other to be successful, we even make ways to pull them down like discourage them from taking great opportunities, or destroying their image. This is because we want to be the only one at the top. If only we would see the achievements of our neighbors or colleagues as an inspiration to reach our own goals instead of considering them as threats. We should realize that the success of each Filipino will contribute to the improvement of the country, and this can help all of us to be successful as well.

2. Procrastination or “Mañana Habit “
This is another habit which keeps the development of our country slow. Look at the government projects which have been left undone for years. If only they were completed immediately, then many Filipinos would have already benefited from them. This is also true with many of us. Instead of working on a task while there is much time, we wait for the deadline because we feel lazy to start on them, or we want to use the time in other things. Of course, the outcome of our completed work would not be of high quality because they were rushed.

3.”Bahala na” or “come what may” habit
This is another habit that destroys the image of Filipinos. Instead of doing something to make things happen, we tend to just leave the outcome to whatever that could happen—come what may—we say. For instance, instead of studying for exams, some students may spend more time in computer games and gimmicks, while leaving their chance of passing the midterms to luck. We could attribute this habit to faith, reasoning out that God will help us become successful. However, as the Christian saying goes, “faith without work is dead”. If we have some goals, then we need to work in order to achieve them.

4. Hypocrisy (being a double-faced person)
As a country which claims to value morality, most of us try to live up to the standards set by the traditional society. However, as no one is perfect, many of us are not actually able to sustain these standards. The fear of being an outcast has forced a lot of people to live a double standard life. To hide our failure in following a norm, we tend to be condemning to those who are caught red handed. A perfect example could be the criticisms faced by those who become pregnant outside marriage. The sad fact behind this scenario is that some of these critics could have actually engaged in premarital sex too—only that no proof is visible.

5. Ningas cogon
In Spanish, “ningas cogon” means a burning cogon grass. This flaming grass quickly burns out—and this best describes one of the worst Filipino traits. Most of us are very good at this. We are excellent at starting projects or idea execution. Nevertheless, after a few hours or days, we lose the excitement, and we become too lazy to finish what we have started.

6. Filipino time (tardiness)
Instead of being something to be proud of, ‘Filipino time’ brings a negative impression to our people. The Filipino time is usually associated with tardiness. When the invitation says the program will start at 7pm, it is expected to begin at 9pm. When the date is set at 3pm, the partner will arrive at 5 o’ clock. This has not only caused conflicts in relationships, it also discourages others including foreigners from getting involved in supposedly productive activities as too much time can be wasted on waiting.

7. Gossiping
Filipinos are fond of talking about others’ business. It is not true that only women are into gossiping. Even men can also be nosy on other people’s lives. Sadly, this does not bring any good to the subjects. Secrets are brought out; failures and flaws are emphasized; and relationships are destroyed. Worse, as gossips are passed around, they tend to be twisted until the final story becomes too far from the original—thus, causing more damage.

8. Blaming others (irresponsibility)
We, Filipinos, can sometimes be too self-righteous. When mistakes happen, we do not want to take the blame, so instead we point at others. This shows how we can be irresponsible for our actions. This attitude destroys team work, and reliability becomes an issue. This habit is also popular among our public officials. I know you know what happened during the Yolanda crisis. The rescue and rehabilitation operations in the Yolanda affected areas became slow, courtesy of the blaming habits of our politicians in position.

9. Inconsideration (being thoughtless of others)
This habit could be a result of having too many things on mind—have to find money for kids’ tuition, need to look for a better job, stress over a drunkard or unfaithful spouse, and other problems. We become insensitive to the needs of other people because we need to focus on ourselves first. However, this country could be an easier place to live in if we were thoughtful enough to show kindness to one another. These problems will be easier to deal with if we will help each other get over them.

10. Ignoring or not following simple rules and instructions
Laws and regulations are created to make communities harmonious. However, how can we achieve that peaceful neighborhood if we cannot even follow the simplest rules like crossing on the pedestrian lane and not loitering around? It is not enough that we demand change in our government. We should also strive to start change in ourselves by being disciplined citizens even in the smallest ways.

11. Attention grabbing (being an ‘epal’)
It is natural for Filipinos to attract attention by standing out as we are a fun and people loving race. Nevertheless, it is a different thing to be an “epal” or “kapalmuks”—simply, being an attention grabber. Sometimes, in our desperate need to be the center of attention, we do things that are already embarrassing like butting in conversations as a know-it-all or by being scandalous. This habit is also common to our politicians. Instead of prioritizing their duty to give the best service to the people, they rather prioritize their thick faces to grab attention that will bring them more chance of winning in the next election. But thanks to our vigilant netizens, this kind of politicians earn more shame than fame.

12. Being onion-skinned or too sensitive
Another habit or attitude that we need to change is our being too prideful which usually results to being oversensitive. If we think highly of ourselves, then we have the tendency to put a wall around us and that signboard on our forehead saying, “I must be respected.” Therefore, when someone makes a joke or a not so positive comment about us, we feel like we are not respected and we get offended. If all people in the country do not know how to accept constructive criticism, then we can never expect unity.

13. Living beyond their means (social climbing)
One of the reasons why a lot of Filipinos live in poverty is because of overspending. Since most people want to live an elite lifestyle, many resort to social climbing or living beyond their means. Sometimes, some of us think that as long as we wear designer clothes and shoes, and we send our children to the most expensive schools, it is alright to be swimming in credits and loans.

14. Passivity (lack of leadership)
Filipinos’ lack of initiative for change is also one reason why our country does not progress. We keep on complaining against the government and other societal issues. However, we do not do anything about them. One of our excuses is the lack of faith that our small actions can bring change. However, the worse reason for this could be our lack of care for what is happening around us. Common Filipinos also lack courage and confidence. If you can notice it, in classrooms, churches, or conference rooms, most of us don’t like to sit in the front seat.

These 14 bad habits are among the hindrances to the progress of our country. The Philippines is rich both in human and natural resources. Also, Filipinos are intelligent and we have the capability to compete globally. Therefore, if these weights will be removed, then we can advance higher and faster. Everything will only be possible if each of us will start the change.

This was taken from an article below:

http://faq.ph/14-bad-habits-that-filipinos-should-break-to-achieve-progress/

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10abuse

The education system sucks! The pagan cult of Roman Catholicism destroys hope from over population making government help for so many unattainable. Most Filipinos spend all they take in from week to week not understanding the concept of saving let alone profiting from other forms of investing to know the difference between liabilities and assets that pay you. They only think about today not tomorrow! If President Duterte had balls he would kick every priest out plus the foreign missionaries as they operate to brainwash the people on their hopelessness to-be depended on these false teachers.

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10abuse

The problem is once you get pass 6 or so items to change it become mind boggling. Therefore it comes to a stall and nothing gets accomplish.

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00abuse

If the land owning policy changes to allow foreigners to own property I do believe the property values will rise beyond the average filipinos' affordable scale.

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00abuse

spruik
you are exactly right
i agree 100%

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00abuse

In UK there are areas where the locals have been driven out by rich folk buying holiday homes, there is a town in South Wales I believe which is like a ghost town because so many houses are holiday homes, prices are so high local cannot afford to live there.
As for Filipinos saving and investing, you try keeping a whole family on 300 or 500 pesos a day. Not every Filipino is a professional earning a lot of money. Most here earn just about enough to eat. We as foreigners are lucky my very small pension is 4× what my father in law earns, when he has work that is. And does he ever ask for money? No never.

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00abuse

I've been reading just about everything you guys put on here for over 13 months now and I don't say much but the subject of foreign property ownership was mentioned and well... I know this is sort of getting off topic but...
Don't you think that if they opened up the Philippines for foreigners to become major stockholders of parcels of land and businesses there that the Filipinos would be ousted from their own land by the greedy, money hungry foreigners looking out for only themselves? And then the Philippines would become what, a mix of Korean, Chinese, Japanese, German, Australian, American, etc. all combined?
Then the greedy, it's all about me, foreigners would treat the Filipinos like sh_t, which they already do, using some of them for cheap ass labor, some for sex, and sh_t on the rest.
I understand them having the laws written the way that they are... to protect their country from being overtaken by greedy outsiders. I don't like the corruption and all of the other crap that goes on in the Phils but if the Phils were my islands, I wouldn't allow just anybody to come in and own everything either.
I took my fiancee and her daughter on an island hopping trip. We were at a restaurant for lunch. It was nearly empty when our boat arrived. Several more boats arrived shortly after ours. There were lots of groups of all foreigners. The tables were being waited on by Koreans. We noticed that the tables filled with foreigners... Aussies, Americans and Koreans, etc. were being served before ours even though we got there before them. The only difference is that I was the only foreigner at my table with the rest being Filipinas. We had to repeatedly ask for service and it was very easy to see that they were purposely ignoring us... treating the native Filipinas like sh_t while catering to their own. My fiancee is usually always on me about tipping too much but she didn't have to say a word that day. There was no tip left and we made sure to leave the table a real mess!
On another trip, we stayed in Moalboal and I got my fiancee certified to scuba dive. The dive shop was full of Filipino workers and they were great. We stayed at a resort owned by an Italian and his Filipina wife. The staff was Filipinos. Again... all was great.
Next door to our resort however, is another dive shop. We were going to rent some snorkeling gear since they were right beside our resort. The dive shop is run by a Korean. We never did see a Filipina wife. What we did see however, was a Korean girl behind the counter who let us hang around for probably 10 minutes and never said a word to us. We also saw a Korean guy sitting at a table dicking with some paperwork or something but never giving us the time of day. Finally a Filipino employee walked in and he immediately asked if we needed anything and we said we wanted to rent gear. He started helping size the girls for masks and fins. The equip he was giving us was old and in disrepair. He finally found enough stuff for us. It took a while digging through that old crap. There was a rack of nice looking equipment but he never went to that rack. We went to the counter to pay and only then did the Korean girl get off her ass, only to take the money and sit back down. I complained that the booties they gave me were falling apart and too small and only then did that the Korean guy get up from the table to inquire about my issue. Then he went to the OTHER equipment rack with the nice looking stuff (probably usually gives that to fellow Koreans) and got me some booties that fit. They were like new.
When we mentioned the place to some locals at a bar that evening, they told us that "those Koreans don't like customers except for Koreans or those who speak Korean." They supposedly don't want to have to deal with the language barriers. They come to set up business and make money in the Philippines but they don't want to deal with Filipinos. What? Then get the f__k out!!!
I don't think I need to spell out my point but... I've seen many foreigners look down on the Filipinos and treat them like dogs. To be sure, some Filipinos behave like dogs BUT NOT ALL!! Stereotyping?
Nope, I would NOT change the law and allow any foreigner to fully own sh_t if the Philippines were mine! Sorry guys, just my opinion.
Am I missing something? Probably.

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20abuse

I know from being on here for a while that someone is sure to let me know what I'm missing. ;o)

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00abuse

For the most part I agree with jleo1 about foreign property ownership. Greed and corruption would quickly drive up the price of land and the average Filipino would be left out in the cold.

I know of a subdivision with unfinished roads, no drainage in most of it and no utilities. Most of the lot owners are OFW's working in Greece, we know a few. In speaking with one who is married to a U.S. citizen and owns a lot, she is aware of the situation with the roads and utilities and also knows the owners of the subdivision. She and her husband are successful business people and she makes excuses for the owners while they continue to sell lots to other OFW's who also know of the problem. Wow! what can you say. These people are not stupid, or are they. Whose fault is it that the owner gets away with it and the lot buyers continue to buy knowing of the problems? The owner should have been sued and or reported to whomever many times over, but the corruption and dishonesty is simply ignored, accepted and seemingly embraced. Therein lies at least a part of the problem. It is of their own making and they seem not to care.

The list of issues needing correction could fill a library, but until the citizens themselves make changes in their own attitudes nothing will change and the country nor its citizens will prosper.

In a beautiful beach area near Nagsugbu their is a condominium townhouse development overlooking the ocean, spectacular views. The condos are no longer maintained, if they ever where, and the place is turning into a ghost town with the few buildings still livable up for sale by owners desperate to bail out while there is still some hope of selling their property, the prices keep falling and no doubt a lot of people lost a lot of money on some prime property and is anyone held responsible? I doubt it, or it wouldn't have happened.

As another poster stated, when most of the men are working for 300 to 500 hundred pesos a day with a family to feed, clothe and house their is NOTHING left to save and little to no hope at this point of ever being able to do so.

This last Christmas we bought dinners for seven local families we know and like, all with husbands and wife's working at what they can to make money. The smiles we saw on their faces were priceless and it also spoke to the poverty they live with daily while still offering up a friendly smile, a laugh and offers of help to us if we need anything. They ask for nothing, we simply offered and in return we receive occasional gifts of fresh fruit and vegetables that they have picked or grown.

We hope for the best for our Philippine home.

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10abuse

@ teejay i agree ,
if foreigner's could buy land ,
prices would go way nuts up ! !
chinese would buy it up,,,
like a wild fire , sitting on it only to
quadruple $$$$ in what ?? 5 years .
same as they invest in apartment towers . if i recall , china passed a law , married couple's could only buy 2 spec apartment's . so now they divorce on paper , then they can purchase 4 . they ignore the
realestate bubble's other countries
semi survived .
making it impossible for local pinoy's to ever even hope to buy .
the philippines has a better land
plan / outlook than the usa .
vancouver canada ,,offered chinese
who would deposit 1 . 6 million into a canadian bank , free green
cards ? now the local doctors are
in competition , trying to buy in the better areas . locals are unable to .

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10abuse

of cause it won't be greedy filipinos selling the land to the foreigners in the first place.

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00abuse

Foreign ownership can be limited, if necessary.

All reform has some negatives. Don't forget, where there are more local jobs, it's the locals that benefit.

If the locals don't want any changes, then stay poor. Simple.

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00abuse

Foreign ownership is already limited if you were to build a condominium 60% must be occupied by Filipino nationals. Most guys I have spoken to who have businesses here have all said the same thing, they offer a job with above average pay and still they get stolen from.
Philippines is a great place to retire to live off your pension and/or savings and relax let all the others work their butt off and worry themselves to death trying g to earn a buck here.

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00abuse

jleo1, what you said is my point exactly. The Philippines have "never" had a government that does not treat the people like the Koreans do in your story.

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00abuse

I started this topic and I was pretty sure I'd get a lot of response. The interest in why the Philippines are poor iseems to have been given some thought by more than a few expats. There is not a lot of agreement but plenty of controversy: foreign investment, Catholic Church policies, bad habits of the people, oligarchies controlling resources, terrorist groups causing hesitancy, lack of caring about the problems, poor schools, and, of course, corruption are all named and blamed.
Damn, I'm as confused as when I started. But thanks for the website addresses--I am going to those URLs.
Also I am going to read about. other countries. Filipinos like to say somehow the US built up Japan, South Korea and Germany and left the Philippines to languish post WW II. Not sure why or if that really happened but what is the difference between Pphilippines and those prosperous places? And other poor countries--there might be some lessons there as to what these countries are doing or not doing.

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00abuse

FOREIGN OWNERSHIP - you mean to tell me that trickle down doesn't work ? NAHHHHH !!! Really ?

Too many people for the current economy, so not enough pie.

The economy is in the hands of the relatively few. Businesses are not employee or even customer oriented here. They also are run very inefficiently . Always out of stuff. How can you sell things if you don't have on hand what the customers want. To me the biz community here needs to have a fire lit under their asses, how about allowing foreign competition ? PLDT for example LOL.

Viscious circle but INFRASTRUCTURE and EDUCATION, all a product of the economy.

Anyway they allow factories here, say manufacturers from other Asian countries Japan, Korea and China ? making the stuff that is used abundantly here and somethings that should be and I mean good stuff not junk. Motorbikes, cars, refrigerators, cellphones, laptops, WASHING MACHINES, construction equipment and tools. I guess this has to be pursued by foreigners otherwise it would have already been done by now. Land ownership rules may prevent this for some reason. Oh well back to the drawing board I guess.

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No ethics at all, most people lie as the norm, scams are continual and not considered unacceptable, why would you want to invest your money in this country; you may as well just burn your investment and save yourself a whole lotta time!

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The Philippines has the potential to be one of the Richest countries of South East Asia as the country itself is not poor as it has vasts amounts of Natural Resources it's the way successive Governments have run the Country until corruption and infighting amongst government officials stops things will never really change

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Lands laid fallow by the ethereal gentry of England soon came to be productive when re-possessed by King Henry VIII in the 16th century. It then set a trend across Europe. Industrialization, farming, import-exportation of produts, and leasing of land was created by the British Empire, where 'The sun never set”. It went on for centuries. (Mind you, I'm not suggesting anything. Just remembering some history.)

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This article hit the nail on the head. https://correctphilippines.org/filipino_first_fail/ Everything in the Philippines is junk or impossible to get. I would like to send a Rototiller to my brother-in-law. It would improve the quality of life so much. Taxes are 100% and so much red tape it is not worth it. So he hires a Caraboa and stays in the stone age. All imports are strictly controlled and prohibitive. The government is their worse enemy.

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Please do not insult the Philippines you obviously have not looked in the right places the Philippines is most definitely not in the Stone Age there are good rotovators here Kubota springs to mind they have been using them for years not only here but also in Thailand

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I have imported many things here with no problem as most other expats have

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I think Protectionism & Open Foreign Investment could be combined altogether with both the foreign company and locals mutually benefiting. Corrupt lawmakers & the super wealthy Filipinos (Ayala, Pangilinan, Sy, Gokongwei, etc...) who has a monopoly on industrial, real state, & business sectors don't want any foreign competition in the country - it will deplete or make a dent on their acquired wealth. Monopoly breeds oligarchy - stagnation results. There should be a balance where foreign competition plays an economic role for the benefit of regular locals as well as the foreign investor. But not to the extent that big multinational companies will be gobbling up huge tract of lands in a third world country.

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I remember doing a term paper on the Kubota back in ag university. It was the best buy for the money. In addition its 4 wheel drive which gives it the power of a larger tractor.

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I first saw a Kubota working in a rice field near Khon Kaen in Northern Thailand in a Rice Paddy it was working very well and that was 20 years ago

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To all potential visitors to the Philippines yes it's a third world country and has various shortcomings but things are starting to improve you won't hear much about that because the media just like to put out as much negativity as possible, despite this the Philippines is most definitely not in the Stone Age as someone has said here the Country has the potential to be one of the Richest countries in Southeast Asia because of its vast amounts of natural resources.

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The Philippines is a paradise compared to when I used to live in Honduras. There I heard gunshots every night. The streets were filthy. The poverty much worse. Naked children playing in the streets with open sewers. Gastrointestinal diseases rampant, parasites and kwashiorkor everywhere. HIV infections comprise about 10% of the adult population. The highest murder rates in the world. Even Duterte's drug war only comes within 10% of the violent deaths compared to Tegucigalpa or San Pedro Sula. There were days that I couldn't leave my cockroach and rat infested apartment because it was too dangerous. The US embassy was burnt to the ground just hours after I left it, losing paperwork that took months to get together. At one government agency I had to stand in line 3 days to a clearance from the DIN. (like the NBI or FBI) In the office there was a single secretary on an old underwood typewriter handling 1000s lined up. Believe me the Philippines is a paradise.

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00abuse

I agree the Media hype up the negative things instead of putting out positive things sure like anywhere in the world you have to be careful it's mostly common sense some things nobody has control over and that is the weather or when the next earthquake will happen or if a volcano will erupt , if you do your homework before you come here and I mean real research not what the media put out it will give you an idea of what to expect

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00abuse

I would say that Philippines has purposely been corrupted in order for the Top 10 families to continue to run the entire country.

Duterte is trying to break that stranglehold with a carrot and stick approach with these Top 10 families.

Poor and lower middle class have no hope despite some education.

Men are surprisingly lazy and either leave the country for seafaring jobs or drive cabs or did drugs.

Women are found working everywhere including overseas.

Since the poor and middle classes are kept away from entrepreneurship by these Top 10 families by making it so so tardy and cumbersome that no one wishes to do entrepreneurship aside from the Sari sari stores that barely keep a family alive.

If growth is permitted and cobwebs removed and incentives like loans given along with easy opportunities like in China or Europe then there is a good chance that poverty and weak education skills can be improved. Training and skill development centers are a must just as teaching cleanliness and better road driving skills being provided.

With the boom in IT and generally, we are seeing rising incomes over the last few years and job advertisements unlike anywhere in the world, so there is hope!

Only thing the Filipinos need to remove the lazy tag just a bit, start a saving habit which almost none have.

Happiness is great for them but they simply don't care and their habit to help each other for basic food and family to allow everyone to stay for free in the province makes them unable to take that leap generally speaking, although there are a few cases where people have succeeded despite the obstacles, however, Philippines certainly can do with more such folks.

Govt has a greater role to play in terms of job creation, entrepreneurship, removal of drugs, removal of corruption, easing of loans, improving education/skills and imparting training etc.

I see all of that occurring in the last 6-9 months, but only 2018 or 2019 onwards we would see the results.

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The one thing that needs to change is ageism in the work place if you notice the job adverts anyone over 35 hasn't got a cat in hells chanceof finding a job unless they have money to start up Their own business

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I have spent a lot of time in Mindanao. I know the farming methods there. Maybe stone age is a little far but it is a losers game for the most part. Hand planting rice and carabao plowing is the norm. Lack of revenue for the next crops fertilizer is the norm. The choice of any equipment is non-existent. I could say more. Resistance to progress (read government) has made them poor. I have never seen people work so hard for so little.

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I live in Mindanao and although progress is slow in modernization it's happening people are not so resistant to change as you think the main problem is investment again it's coming . Davao has the best free 911 system outside the US it has state of the art equipment and is really doing a good job

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Hope you don't mind dragging this out a bit. There has been change but little. I by no means blame the people. My first post repeated an article posted here that sums the up problem. Have you read it?
Davoa is progressing. They have advanced in Cacoa farming and are leading the way for the rest of Mindinao. It takes 2 years to grow and that is not in the mindset especially when someone needs food today. Its a vicious cycle that most westerers don't understand.

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My wife grew up on a farm in Southern Leyte, close enough to see the northern tip of Mindanao. Her father farmed traditionally with carabao and hand transplanting of rice.

He raised 16 children many of whom were nephews and nieces and supported deadbeat in-laws.. They never went hungry, not once. But cash was always short. Cash is needed to buy clothing, medicine and school supplies.

Though my father in law only has a 3rd grade education, but he is highly intelligent and always trying the "latest".

The most glaring reason for the non-progress is the very same reason for the demise of the family farm in the USA and Europe. Not one ag publication or university dares to mention what the problem is. They will instantly lose funding and advertisements.

The problem is: please read and remember, THE FOOD CARTEL.

I did a study on this by watching the prices of beef and slaughter numbers. Prices would rise and fall daily, but it had NO CORRELATION to slaughter numbers. Wow, why hasn't anybody noticed that before? Yet the prices rise and fall in UNISON between all the big slaughterhouses.

They know to the penny how much it costs to raise a pound of beef, rice or whatever and they collude and give prices below production costs. They have destroyed the mom and pop wholesalers by passing legislation the small guy can't possibly follow.

If farmers received fair and honest prices they'd be driving Kubotas and John Deere.

Back during Peron's tenure in Argentina, he nationalized the grain trade. The government took over and kicked Dreyfuss and others out. During this time Argentina enjoyed the highest standard of living on Earth. In the end however the FOOD CARTEL got their revenge on Argentina and it's been reduced to a 4th world nation.

The FOOD CARTEL operates in the Phils and just about every other nation on earth. They have the power to shut down nations. Don't pay the bills and in 2 days your streets will be filled with riots and state building will be burning.

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Davao is also building new subdivisions and expanding existing ones also infrastructure is being improved and new shopping malls are being built

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What natural resources does the Philippines have? You coal haters should be happy for it. If not for it you would be usuing candles. Let's hope they don't get nuclear and clear a portion of the Pacific to unlivable. And not the least how racist a lot are. I talked to a few girls that told me they are not stinking half breeds but true filipinas.. And the real dark girls even with college degree have a hard time getting a good paying job. Which sounds like an oxymoron for the Phil's. Interested to hear from you.

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What natural resources does the Philippines have? You coal haters should be happy for it. If not for it you would be usuing candles. Let's hope they don't get nuclear and clear a portion of the Pacific to unlivable. And not the least how racist a lot are. I talked to a few girls that told me they are not stinking half breeds but true filipinas.. And the real dark girls even with college degree have a hard time getting a good paying job. Which sounds like an oxymoron for the Phil's. Interested to hear from you.

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>>>
I talked to a few girls that told me they are not stinking half breeds but true filipinas..
<<<

Sounds like you are a racist half-breed yourself.

Are you one of those who stink of sweat and alcohol when in Philippines?

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The dark ones don't get the job, I can see that. Notice on their soap operas that the bad guys are the dark ones. It is exactly like with the Mexican soaps and many of the Filipino soaps are carbon copies of the Mexican soaps, only different actors and language. But yes there is racism among the Filipino people. My wife's father is Negrito or Melanesian and the Negritos do suffer from discrimination in the Philippines, just like in hispanic cultures. I'm sure it's something the Spanish brought with them. But I'm also aware of the discrimination and persecution between the Indonesian people and the Melanesians on Irian Jaya. On my father's side of the family he was persecuted for his dark skin and his lighter skinned brother could do no wrong. It was a terrible thing to admit Native American ancestry in the USA up until the 1960s. I once asked a great aunt if she was Souix (from the Dakotas and she had some of the facial characteristics of the Lakota) and she was quite insulted and upset with me.

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Perhaps I should rephrase that...

Yes, they are racist towards darker and mixed Filipinos by suggesting they are 'Pure Filipina'.

Not sure what that has to do with poverty. or 'coal haters'.

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The Philippines is one of the largest producers of Nickel, it has Gold, Silver and other minerals and is a big exporter of rice and coconut and other fruits, and copper

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^
Also a big exporter of females - lol.

All earning revenue for the Philippines (in some cases not earning -hehe).

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What does dark skin have to do with poverty? Well, if you have dark skin, you will not get the job. It's not good for your own personal economy.

I see that Muslims often do not get the job either. Many here will not buy from Muslims as many say Muslims cheat them.

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And also males , my co worker was Filipino male and a good friend His wife is a Good Nurse in the local Hospital

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Me and my visiting Cambodian GF were in Melbourne (Federation Square) last year and we were hungry (lunchtime). There was this one and only cart selling yummy things but GF refused to buy from there as the salesperson clearly was a Muslim.

We went to another place.

Not only Filipinos don't like Muslim... LOL

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My partner and I don't give a damn what religion anyone is if they are good to us and show respect we reciprocate . We have bought many things from Muslims , food , phone cases , hats , and have never had a problem

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Dark skin is associated with working on the land, equals poor.

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I am not racist or i would not be looking for a filipina for marriage or maybe moving there. My point is that some filipinos are racist sir. They told me these things.

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Food is an export not a natural resource. But i did not know they had a large supply of precious metals. My message about the dark skin came from some filipinas i have talked to. A few had gone to college and told me because they were very dark skinned they could not get a job. I dont know much except what they tell me... I am not a racist.

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Dark skin is also associated (according to some filipino girls) as being more Spanish. Just what they have told me..

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Actually the lighter the skin the more Spanish they may have in their genes.

When I lived in South America white skin was a privilege. Many times it got me moved up to the front of the line and opportunities not given to the natives. That is what happened, it's a bit embarrassing, but there is still some traditions leftover from the Spanish ingrained in various cultures. .

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The Philippines can be very racist. To them PC is something you scam your american sugar daddy on.

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Montanaboy57,
I'm not sure of the intelligence level of some of your Filipina friends but you may want to look around a little more. Spanish blood is fair complexion. Anyone who has mixed blood (mestiza/mestizo) is considered more desirable by Philippines standards. That's why all you actors/actresses/starlets/beauty pageant winners are all fair skinned. If you are in a country where there are no blonds, if you are blond, you are more desirable. Human nature. Although in the Philippines you have to add the fact that many Filipinos with fairer complexion are wealthier due to rich Spanish heritage, mixed expat heritage or Chinese heritage. The wealthiest people in the Philippines are old Spanish families and Chinese families who run most of the big business today.

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Boy have I heard that a lot from expats

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Boy have I heard that a lot from expats

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Clearly you have not seen last years winner of miss universe She was not light skinned

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Yup i saw here. Beautiful woman. As i said this is not me talking it is who i have talked to living there. Dont take things so personal. I think they dark skin, dark eyes, and beautiful dark hair is beautiful.

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Yup i saw here. Beautiful woman. As i said this is not me talking it is who i have talked to living there. Dont take things so personal. I think they dark skin, dark eyes, and beautiful dark hair is beautiful.

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Yes maybe some are not to smart out of college. But as i have said i like them all. Thank you for your information. The ones who show me they are Marena skin color seem to think the light skin is an asset. They pretty much brag about there skin color. I dont know much from experience as i have never been there. I trust expats opinion however..

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Yes maybe some are not to smart out of college. But as i have said i like them all. Thank you for your information. The ones who show me they are Marena skin color seem to think the light skin is an asset. They pretty much brag about there skin color. I dont know much from experience as i have never been there. I trust expats opinion however..

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I know there are a lot of divorced Filipina girls here. Seems they want the ticket to get here.. The young ones want older men they say because older are more faithful. I dont believe this is as true as they say...

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I know there are a lot of divorced Filipina girls here. Seems they want the ticket to get here.. The young ones want older men they say because older are more faithful. I dont believe this is as true as they say...

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>>>
I know there are a lot of divorced Filipina girls here. Seems they want the ticket to get here.. The young ones want older men they say because older are more faithful. I dont believe this is as true as they say...
<<<

Where is 'here'?

But then, often anywhere will do... even Antarctica. Until they realise it's climate... LOL

And that there is no Social Security there... :)

Try dating a Filipina in your own (western) country. Suddenly the concept or 'age is just a number' disappeared.

LOL

Or tell them you want to live in Pinay Land. Some will take you up but the majority will move on.

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>>>
Seems they want the ticket to get here.. The young ones want older men they say because older are more faithful. I dont believe this is as true as they say...
<<<

... they say the older ones die sooner... so inheritance comes earlier - LOL.

faithful? :)

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Montanaboy,
Yes most foreigners are interested in the island look Filipina (morena), In the Philippines, Filipinos desire maputi (fair complexion).

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"Why are the Philippines so poor?"...complex question.

First, decide if the country is really poor or if the country has sufficient wealth which has become too scarce amongst too great a percent of the population.

Second, once you realize that the Philippines has sufficient wealth, then re-examine your original question in a new light.
"Why does country-x, in this case, the Philippines, have y-percentage of people with less than the desired standard of living?"

The following link talks about causes of poverty in general and links to a variety of other sources.

http://www.globalissues.org/issue/2/causes-of-poverty

The following link leads to a paper written in 2007 examining the Philippines specifically and its decline in global position from the first part of the 20th century.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi-s73Y08vSAhWqZpoKHfxLDNAQFghEMAU&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.econ.upd.edu.ph%2Fdp%2Findex.php%2Fdp%2Farticle%2Fdownload%2F71%2F63&usg=AFQjCNHZnDW2XIrKfCFzdvqhjfvCOD9hmA

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