NISCE, Alyssa Angela R.

12081000 - G06
LEGAL WRITING ESSAY #1

Thesis Outline:

1. Definition of Poverty (Introduction)

1.1 Poverty in the Philippines

1.2 Thesis Statement: Despite constant attempts in developing a rising economy,

the Philippines still struggles with overcoming poverty due to the prevalence of

overpopulation, the widening gap between the rich and the poor, and

predominant corruption.

2. Effects of Poverty in the Philippines (Body)

2.1 Prevalence of Overpopulation

2.2 Widening Gap between the Rich and the Poor

2.2.1 Disadvantages to Ethnic Groups caused by the Gap

2.3 Predominant Corruption

2.3.1 People resort to Crime and Thievery

3. Duty to Eradicate Poverty in the Philippines (Conclusion)

3.1 Responsibility of the Government

3.2 Responsibility of All Individuals

 Closing the Gap: The Key to Eradicating Poverty in the Philippines

Since time immemorial, extreme poverty has remained a serious dilemma in the

Philippines. Poverty refers to the state or condition in which a person or community

lacks the financial resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living

(Exposition-definition) (Chen, 2020). Similar to most developing countries, the number

of people living below normal standards in the Philippines has continued to increase

over the past two decades. Despite constant attempts in developing a rising economy,

the Philippines still struggles with overcoming poverty due to the prevalence of

overpopulation, the widening gap between the rich and the poor, and predominant

corruption (Definition).

It is undeniable that our population has been growing rapidly, with our resources

remaining limited. Overpopulation exacerbates poverty which creates a negative impact

on the survival and well-being of each individual. The current Philippine population in

2020 is 109,581,078, indicating a 1.35% increase from 2019 (“Philippines Population

Growth Rate 1950-2020,” 2020). The rapid population growth serves as a major

stumbling block in efforts to reduce poverty since the demand for basic needs

proportionately increases.

With poverty plaguing the country and employment opportunities remaining

scarce, the gap between the rich and the poor is widening immensely (Teodoro, 2015).

In the Philippines, where more than a quarter of the country's population lives below the

poverty line, economic and social inequality is a severe problem. The rich are becoming

richer and the poor, poorer. The Philippines has one of the highest rates of income
inequality in the world; unless action is taken to address this, the gap will continue to

widen (Comparison and Contrast Definition) (Poblador, 2020).

As in many other parts of the world, it is often the indigenous population that

suffers the most. In the Philippines, approximately 1.7 million people belonging to the

nation's ethnic groups remain at a disadvantage, with discrimination and a lack of

opportunities creating serious barriers among access to basic needs. According to the

ASEAN Trade Union Council, the Philippines has the highest rate of economic and

social inequality in Southeast Asia. This problem is not limited to personal wealth; land

distribution, educational and vocational opportunities, as well as basic welfare programs

are also directly affected by the growing disparity between the Philippines' richest and

poorest citizens (ChildFund, 2020). This exhibits that poverty does not just make it

difficult for families to survive, it can also have much wider economic impact (Example).

Similarly, predominant corruption increases income inequality and poverty

through biased tax systems favoring the rich and well-connected and the use of wealth

to lobby the government for favorable policies that perpetuate inequality (Gupta, 1998).

In this way, corruption distorts the government’s role in resource allocation. Thus,

people often resort to crime and thievery to survive. There are too many people and not

enough resources. And with such conditions, people become desperate and practice

drastic measures to provide for themselves and their families.

Economic and social inequality are complex problems, however, they can be

addressed by governments and organizations working together to ensure that

opportunities are more readily available for the nation's poorest people. The key to

reducing inequality is better education, better healthcare, social safety nets and broader
economic growth, especially in agriculture. The government should work hand-in-hand

with its people to expand access to health care, education and land ownership among

the country's poorest families. The road to recovery and improved equality is long, but

eradication of poverty would ensure an overall growth in our economy.

References:
Chen, J. Poverty. (2020). Retrieved October 17, 2020, from Investopedia website:
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/poverty.asp
Gupta, S. (1998). Does Corruption affect Inequality and Poverty? International
Monetary Fund Working Paper.
Philippines Population Growth Rate 1950-2020. (2020). Retrieved October 20,
2020, from Macrotrends.net website:
https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/PHL/philippines/population-growth-
rate#:~:text=Chart%20and%20table%20of%20Philippines,a
%201.37%25%20increase%20from%202018.
Poblador, N. (2020, January). Eradicating extreme poverty in PH: Are we right on
track? Retrieved October 20, 2020, from INQUIRER.net website:
https://business.inquirer.net/286978/eradicating-extreme-poverty-in-ph-are-
we-right-on-track
Social Inequality in the Philippines | ChildFund. (2020). Retrieved October 20,
2020, from Childfund.org website: https://www.childfund.org/Closing-the-
Social-Inequality-Gap-in-the-Philippines/?no_redirect=true
Teodoro, L. (2015, August 14). Poverty is the cause, not the result, of
overpopulation - Bulatlat. Retrieved October 17, 2020, from Bulatlat website:
https://www.bulatlat.com/2015/08/15/poverty-is-the-cause-not-the-result-of-
overpopulation.