the land area of the Phils is 300,000 squre klmt
the UK is 245,000 so the Phils is bigger and the land prices at least in cebu are dearer than the UK
If people that qualified for residency were allowed to own 1000sq mt as David says this would have in my view a positive effect with inward investment and confidence the reason the majority of Philipinos cant buy land is that the bulk is in the hands of a tiny % of the population who artificialy inflate its value.
If the Phils doesnt take the chance to join the 21st century its very likley that you will indeed have to learn Chinese when hunger overpopulation and anarchy overwhelm you all in about 25 years and the Chinese decide to help themselves to your unexploited natural resources.
It isnt the cheapness of labour thats loosing jobs and investment but the corruption and low productivety If you dont want the west by agreement you will end up colonised by the teeming billions who live just above you
