Hunger among Filipinos reaching record levels - SWS

[Win2Win]

Involuntary hunger has reached record numbers, with almost one in four Filipino households going hungry in the past three months, according to a Social Weather Stations survey.

More... (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100113-247047/Hunger-among-Filipinos-reaching-record-levels---SWS)

[Arthur Little]

Involuntary hunger has reached record numbers, with almost one in four Filipino households going hungry in the past three months, according to a Social Weather Stations survey.

More... (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100113-247047/Hunger-among-Filipinos-reaching-record-levels---SWS)

Why IS that? :rolleyes: ... in a country so richly-endowed with natural resources, it seems :crazy:!

[Doc Alan]

Why IS that? :rolleyes: ... in a country so richly-endowed with natural resources, it seems :crazy:!

Food poverty is the inability to obtain healthy affordable food. In turn this relates to population poverty, due to the interplay of politics (corruption, political instability, violence) and economics (globalisation and free trade) - worse in the Philippines than any of its neighbours. We have food poverty in the UK, affecting less than 10% of the population, but diet-related ill-health is said to cost the NHS twice as much as smoking. I suspect household expenditure on healthy foods is more often than not involuntarily low in the Philippines. In the UK where we spend around 11% of our household expenditure on food and non-alcoholic drinks, it's more a case of voluntarily choosing to buy unhealthy foods. We've just been hearing of school meals being healthy and packed lunches not being healthy in this country. But the packed lunches with chocolate biscuits and fizzy drinks are what the kids want !

[South-east boy]

Did anyone see the program on Monday night about overweight kids in the UK? A lot of the problem is with ignorant parents with some saying that they ate this or that when they were young so my child will have whatevere they want too! They seem to forget that there is a log more junk food out there than years ago, kids are less active than they used to be due to computor games & PC's + some children & people just gain more weight than otheres that eat the same thing.

[triple5]

Did anyone see the program on Monday night about overweight kids in the UK? A lot of the problem is with ignorant parents with some saying that they ate this or that when they were young so my child will have whatever they want too! They seem to forget that there is a log more junk food out there than years ago, kids are less active than they used to be due to computor games & PC's + some children & people just gain more weight than otheres that eat the same thing.

I didn't see that program, just saw it advertised. Unbelievable that parents let their kids get like that. Sure, some are naturally big boned, but some parents don't even try and limit/control what their kids are eating. Once a week I may treat myself to a kebab and chips. In there the other night and there was a woman going on 20 stones with her overweight son, buying all sorts of fatty junk. People like that should be banned from such establishments for their own good :doh

[Arthur Little]

Did anyone see the program on Monday night about overweight kids in the UK? A lot of the problem is with ignorant parents with some saying that they ate this or that when they were young so my child will have whatevere they want too! They seem to forget that there is a log more junk food out there than years ago, kids are less active than they used to be due to computor games & PC's + some children & people just gain more weight than otheres that eat the same thing.

I didn't see the programme either :NoNo: ... but I can well-imagine the root cause of the problem. 'Rationing' was still in force up until 1953 ... or thereabouts ... when I was a young kid ... and you seldom saw an overweight child back then.

Added to that [excuse the pun] very few households boasted a television set ... and, of course, computer games, &c were unheard of in those days. Hence, children expended excess energies by indulging to a far greater extent in healthy outdoor activities ... like (dare I say?) raiding apple orchards :icon_lol: (if they were fortunate enough to live in rural communities). And the city-dwellers probably spent at least half the time, evading the long arm of the law as a result of their [relatively harmless] misdemeanours; "dodgin' the polis" ... as it was called in Glasgow parlance. Whatever ... it was all good clean fun!

[Doc Alan]

Involuntary hunger has reached record numbers, with almost one in four Filipino households going hungry in the past three months, according to a Social Weather Stations survey.

More... (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100113-247047/Hunger-among-Filipinos-reaching-record-levels---SWS)

Interesting responses so far, but on a Filipino-UK forum I have endeavoured to comment with relevance to both the Philippines and the UK. Maybe someone can explain the situation better, but at least I've tried!

[fred]

Everywhere I go here I see fallow land..Even poor locals usually have space to grow their own veggies..Thing is they dont!! They just let the weeds grow..
I am growing all my own stuff and the locals are amazed at my produce!!
I attended a Barangay meeting a month ago where the Captain suggested education regards garden farming and a plan to introduce it.. Heard nothing since and I doubt I will to be honest...In the mean time food prices go up and up because there was a flood in Baguio!!

The country should be the food basket of Asia for crying out loud..But its not.
I put it down to damn right laziness.
No sympathy Im afraid.

[Doc Alan]

The country should be the food basket of Asia for crying out loud..But its not.
I put it down to damn right laziness.
No sympathy Im afraid.

It used to be the "rice basket of Asia".
I gave the "textbook" explanation for food poverty. Don't have the figures, but I guess food and non-alcoholic drinks cost a relatively higher proportion of their available income than the 11% or so that we spend here. But you're living there Fred, and from what you say "involuntary" is maybe not the right adjective for their food poverty.

[belfast_dude]

another arroyo legacy...:(

[aromulus]

another arroyo legacy...:(


Why hers...???:Erm:

Poverty was there before she turned up, and it will be still there hundreds of years after she's dead....:doh

[fred]

another arroyo legacy...:(

:Erm:

[fred]

It used to be the "rice basket of Asia".
I gave the "textbook" explanation for food poverty. Don't have the figures, but I guess food and non-alcoholic drinks cost a relatively higher proportion of their available income than the 11% or so that we spend here. But you're living there Fred, and from what you say "involuntary" is maybe not the right adjective for their food poverty.

Yes Alan..I would say that much of the food poverty could be described as involuntary..
Some may say that its different in lets say Manila (concrete jungle) but Filipinos from all over the country flock there because the streets are paved with gold!! Often leaving their fallow lands behind..
Reminds me a bit of London!!:icon_lol:

[belfast_dude]

i think arroyo cud have done more to help her people...a lot more...u guys agree?....she was on holiday every week....

[ca143]

its not GLORIA's fault....if they are hungry,they are hungry because they are lazy...lots of our neighbor like that when i was a kid until now.In Philippines especially if u live on country side no need to buy a veg,if u can grow on ur own but most people dont have time on that coz they are very busy on TONG 8s...thats the reality......

[Arthur Little]

its not GLORIA's fault....In Philippines especially if u live on country side no need to buy a veg,if u can grow on ur own but most people dont have time on that coz they are very busy on TONG 8s...thats the reality......

My wife would be inclined to agree with you ... the resources are THERE to be utilised ... especially in the provinces ... as far as I can make out. :rolleyes:

:Erm: ... What're TONG 8s?

[Les_lady888]

Poverty has been a long time problem in the Phils. I think it will always remain as long as the corrupt officials remain in power. If only the taxes paid by the people will be utilized properly and for the benefit of everyone, then maybe poverty will be managed if not eradicated.:ARsurrender:

How many times I have heard about business clients complaining :bigcry: about the under-the-table negotiations that they were forced into with the Revenue officers....and that would be as much as 20-30 million pesos!!!...whatta heap of money which should have been used for the good of all filipinos and not just into the pockets of a very few corrupt govt. employees!!!! If ony we have honest govt. officials, then these tax evaders will be compelled to pay the taxes due from them, and that is for the benefit of the entire Filipino people.(Should I be posting this under Rant category?:furious3:)

And I don't believe that Phil.poverty is to be blamed to filipinos being lazy. Filipinos are not basically indolent! What makes them look like one is because of the social environment they are sorrounded with. Lots of Filipinos working abroad are much more hardworking and industrious compared to when they are working back home. Why? because out there in the west, they have more hope, a virtue which a Filipino tends to lose when home because of the evident corruptions, economic instability and unemployment.:Help1:

[IainBusby]

Poverty has been a long time problem in the Phils. I think it will always remain as long as the corrupt officials remain in power. If only the taxes paid by the people will be utilized properly and for the benefit of everyone, then maybe poverty will be managed if not eradicated.:ARsurrender:

How many times I have heard about business clients complaining :bigcry: about the under-the-table negotiations that they were forced into with the Revenue officers....and that would be as much as 20-30 million pesos!!!...whatta heap of money which should have been used for the good of all filipinos and not just into the pockets of a very few corrupt govt. employees!!!! If ony we have honest govt. officials, then these tax evaders will be compelled to pay the taxes due from them, and that is for the benefit of the entire Filipino people.(Should I be posting this under Rant category?:furious3:)

And I don't believe that Phil.poverty is to be blamed to filipinos being lazy. Filipinos are not basically indolent! What makes them look like one is because of the social environment they are sorrounded with. Lots of Filipinos working abroad are much more hardworking and industrious compared to when they are working back home. Why? because out there in the west, they have more hope, a virtue which a Filipino tends to lose when home because of the evident corruptions, economic instability and unemployment.:Help1:

I wholeheartedly agree the corruption is at the root of country's problems and it does tend to cause a quite a lot of apathy within the population, but there does also seem to be quite a lot of laziness as well, especially when they get into the situation where another member of the family starts to send remittances from overseas at a level way above what they possibly could hope to earn if they got off their ar:action-smiley-081:es and found work for themselves.

[pennybarry]

Why hers...???:Erm:

Poverty was there before she turned up, and it will be still there hundreds of years after she's dead....:doh
Maybe because they believe in every presidential candidate slogan.
Joseph Estrada's slogan was Erap, para sa mahirap, ("for the poor") and Gloria during her first candidacy was "pagkain sa bawat mesa" ("food on every table") and there are still many people believes in politician's tactics. :NoNo:


Yes Alan..I would say that much of the food poverty could be described as involuntary..
Some may say that its different in lets say Manila (concrete jungle) but Filipinos from all over the country flock there because the streets are paved with gold!! Often leaving their fallow lands behind..
Reminds me a bit of London!!:icon_lol:

If my husband watched that program, he will surely moan again and tell why Britain always helping other countries not Philippines.

Being a farmer is a no way to become hungry if they will only dig their farm and other vacant lots. That was I always hear from my dad when he was still alive. I can't find any space in our farm without plants even underneath the trees, he plants veggies for us and then take the rest to the market.

This modern times, our place is no longer a countryside but a city and it's still the same as my brod in Law and Nanay always make it sure we have veggies all the time and villagers just come and buy our veggies and no need to bring in the market.

attached my Nanay veggies that i really miss:Rasp::D


its not GLORIA's fault....if they are hungry,they are hungry because they are lazy...lots of our neighbor like that when i was a kid until now.In Philippines especially if u live on country side no need to buy a veg,if u can grow on ur own but most people dont have time on that coz they are very busy on TONG 8s...thats the reality......

You are right! I have seen in some areas with poor environment where their hobby is playing tong its. Too bad really as that environment influences children.
I agree we need to help ourselves and not to depend in our government.
And also not to be a burden of our society.

[Doc Alan]

[QUOTE=pennybarry;201636]Maybe because they believe in every presidential candidate slogan.
Joseph Estrada's slogan was Erap, para sa mahirap, ("for the poor") and Gloria during her first candidacy was "pagkain sa bawat mesa" ("food on every table")

Maraming salamat for the translation Penny, masaya ako talaga :)I'm happy to learn Tagalog and understand more about the reasons for food poverty ...you have a delightful way of explaining things in English !

[pennybarry]

[QUOTE=pennybarry;201636]Maybe because they believe in every presidential candidate slogan.
Joseph Estrada's slogan was Erap, para sa mahirap, ("for the poor") and Gloria during her first candidacy was "pagkain sa bawat mesa" ("food on every table")

Maraming salamat for the translation Penny, masaya ako talaga :)I'm happy to learn Tagalog and understand more about the reasons for food poverty ...you have a delightful way of explaining things in English !

Walang anuman (Don't mention it)
Thanks Alan. I used to teach my husband too but he is eager to know the part of the body first in english. :D

[Doc Alan]

[QUOTE=jackson.alan46;201651]

I used to teach my husband too but he is eager to know the part of the body first in english. :D

Anatomy is my special interest :)No food poverty kapag tumibok ang puso (when the heart is beating):)

[aposhark]

Why IS that? :rolleyes: ... in a country so richly-endowed with natural resources, it seems :crazy:!

Hi Arthur,
I get the feeling that a lot of fish are not smoked and dried out there also.
I could be thinking out of my depth here but I did ask my wife some months ago if the people on her island smoked the fish when in abundance.
She said she had never seen this happen.

I was watching the "Coast" TV programme and it showed how the "Arbroath Smokie" (not a million miles from you) was made. I said "look dear, there are simple ways to make fish last longer".
I have seen many people in a lot of countries smoke fish, but not in the Philippines.
Does anyone know more about this?

[pennybarry]

Hi Arthur,
I get the feeling that a lot of fish are not smoked and dried out there also.
I could be thinking out of my depth here but I did ask my wife some months ago if the people on her island smoked the fish when in abundance.
She said she had never seen this happen.

I was watching the "Coast" TV programme and it showed how the "Arbroath Smokie" (not a million miles from you) was made. I said "look dear, there are simple ways to make fish last longer".
I have seen many people in a lot of countries smoke fish, but not in the Philippines.
Does anyone know more about this?

Yes we have and I love it. In tagalog we called it tinapa.
http://www.filipino-food-lovers.com/?p=31
I have noticed that you have herring fish and delicious mackerels here and I would like to try to make some maybe in summer. I saw a small square tool at fishing gear store where I can make smoke fish using it. In the Philippines, we use bamboo steamer.