We are undoubtedly aware that due to the recent economic crisis we are confronted with, most Filipinos are in the state of hardship and suffering. In fact, poverty rate is on the rise! But wait.., What is poverty? How does it affect our personal life as well as our huge, impersonal society?
Poverty is the term used to denote the state of one with insufficient resources. In a broader sense, it is synonymous to the common words neediness, poorness or unprosperousness. Basically, when one is in the state of poverty, he is in difficulty of supplying his basic needs and moreover, he is experiencing scarcity of money- the thing which everyone in the community desires and which is noted to be of great importance. Prior to this, poverty-stricken people are likely to experience extreme hunger, a sense of neediness, prone to sickness and malnutrition, uneducated, and the like which seriously made their life miserable. It is quite awful to know that most of our countrymen do experience this kind of life. Moreover, due to the financial crisis we are dealing with in our status quo, everything else seemed to be worsened. The poor gets more poorer! Our global market is in an era of recession, underemployment and unemployment rate is on the rise and in the large part of the world many do experience extreme hunger!
Let’s consider the effect of poverty in our economic status. Obviously, poverty is a disadvantage prior to our economic development. Since many are unemployed and jobless, many are in the state of suffering. Thus, we do experience economic breakdown. As a result, progressiveness would merely then be a word that is something hard to reach. In addition, poverty leads people to be engaged in illegal activities. Because poverty-stricken people are out of job and of extreme neediness, they would allow their selves to do illegal acts just to experience a sense of temporary satisfaction. Robbery, holdappings, kidnappings, drug trafficking are merely some activities they are likely to be in.
But then, who’s to be blame from all these happenings? Is it considered as an individual’s fault? or something that must be regarded as the problem of the government? Practically, it may be both. The latter must also take a great part in solving this problem as the first would. Technically, most individuals are jobless due to their idleness (laziness). They are inactive looking for a job that’s why in the end they suffer the consequences of being impoverished. On the other hand, most people blame it on the government side. Yet it is to be agreed also that the government must also play its roles in finding solutions regarding poverty rate. The problem is, they are more on words rather on actions. During campaigns for elections, one of the platforms of those personalities who wish to run and be elected is to provide job opportunities and to lend a hand for the poor. But then, still many are out of jobs and poverty rate continue to increase. Is it really because we do have corrupt leaders who continue to take advantage of the land’s resources just for personal gains?
Poverty is something that must be solved. If we want to be progressive, then we must battle with hope and optimism towards prosperity.
