REVIEW:

GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES

IN ADDRESSING SOCIAL INEQUALITIES
Instruction: Using the letters below, write some words or short phrase
(positive or negative) that you believe we can associate with the issue
(starting with the first letter).
Does “fair” always mean “equal”???
Equality is about making sure that everyone has an equal opportunity to make
the most of their desire to live. It is also the belief that no one should have poorer
life chances because of the way they were born, where they come from, what
they believe, or whether they have a disability.
Nonappearance of the said equality of man leads to the inequality.

resources
 Social inequality - is the result of prejudice and the unequal
distribution of resources, opportunities, and rights in society.
A wealth of research proves the strong, historical
relationship between social class, inequality, and life
chances. As you might expect, upper social classes tend to
have better life chances due to several factors. Here are
some important examples.
•Family: inheritance and access to important social
networks.
•Health: higher life expectancy and reduced
prevalence/severity of illness.
•Wealth and income: more earnings, savings, and
disposable income.
•Education: increased likelihood of completing schooling
and higher education.
•Work: higher-ranking positions with job security.
•Politics: access to - and influence over - electoral
practices.
The Philippine government recognizes the gender inequalities and is trying to solve them. To
address these issues, there are some laws to ensure that gender equality is properly
addressed. Here are the following proofs that the Philippine government is trying to address
the said issues:
1. PHILIPPINE LAW
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6725
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE PROHIBITION ON DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN WITH
RESPECT TO TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE OF THE LABOR CODE, AS AMENDED
“Art. 135. Discrimination Prohibited.—It shall be unlawful for any employer to discriminate
against any woman employee with respect to terms and conditions of employment solely on
account of her sex.
Ex. - Payment of a lesser compensation, including wage,
salary or other form of remuneration.
- Favoring a male employee over a female employee with
respect to promotion, training opportunities, study, etc.
 Republic Act No. 7610
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR STRONGER DETERRENCE AND SPECIAL PROTECTION AGAINST CHILD
ABUSE, EXPLOITATION AND DISCRIMINATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Section 13. Non-formal Education for Working Children. The Department of Education, Culture and Sports
shall promulgate a course design under its non-formal education program aimed at promoting the intellectual,
moral and vocational efficiency of working children who have not undergone or finished elementary or
secondary education. Such course design shall integrate the learning process deemed most effective under
given circumstances.
Section 18. System of and Access to Education. The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall
develop and institute an alternative system of education for children of indigenous cultural communities which
culture-specific and relevant to the needs of and the existing situation in their communities. The Department
of Education, Culture and Sports shall also accredit and support non-formal but functional indigenous
educational programs conducted by non-government organizations in said communities.
Section 20. Discrimination. Children of indigenous cultural communities shall not be subjected to any and all
forms of discrimination.
Any person who discriminate against children of indigenous cultural communities shall suffer a penalty of
Arresto mayor in its maximum period and a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000) more than Ten
thousand pesos (P10,000).
 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8371
AN ACT TO RECOGNIZE, PROTECT AND PROMOTE THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS CULTURAL
COMMUNITIES/INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, CREATING A NATIONAL COMMISSION ON
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, ESTABLISHING IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

f) The State recognizes its obligations to respond to the strong expression of the
ICCs/IPs for cultural integrity by assuring maximum ICC/IP participation in the
direction of education, health, as well as other services of ICCs/IPs, in order to
render such services more responsive to the needs and desires of these
communities.
Ex. The Department of Health (DOH) in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal,
Quezon) has signed an agreement with other government agencies for a project
that aims to train indigenous peoples (IPs) in the region to become health workers
serving their own communities.
The training program for the “Katutubo Health Workers” (KHWs) was inked in a
joint agreement signed on Aug. 17 by the representatives from the DOH, the
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, people’s organization, and local
government officials of Tanay town in Rizal province.
 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9710
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF WOMEN

SECTION 8. Human Rights of Women — All rights in the Constitution and

those rights recognized under international instruments duly signed and
ratified by the Philippines, in consonance with Philippine law, shall be
rights of women under this Act to be enjoyed without discrimination.
SECTION 9. Protection from Violence — The State shall ensure that
all women shall be protected from all forms of violence as provided for in
existing laws. Agencies of government shall give priority to the defense
and protection of women against gender-based offenses and help
women attain justice and healing.
Towards this end, measures to prosecute and reform offenders shall
likewise be pursued. (a) Within the next five (5) years, there shall be an
incremental increase in the recruitment and training of women in the
police force, forensics and medico-legal, legal services, and social work
services availed of by women who are victims of gender-related offenses
until fifty percent (50%) of the personnel thereof shall be women.
2. ALLOWING TOP GOVERNMENT POSITIONS TO BE HANDLED BY WOMEN
Women nowadays are taking top positions in both private and government posts.
ex. former President Corazon Aquino and former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The Philippine government keeps on encouraging more effective dialogue and

consultative process and strengthening access to justice remain priorities. This will help to
bridge the cultural divide that gives rise to discrimination and exclusion and will increase the
voice of indigenous people’s decision-making at every level. It will also help to build fair and
shared solutions to the conflicts that emerge over ancestral lands and the use of natural
resources
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIAL INEQUALITY:
1. Educational Attainment
Inequality and Educational Attainment is evidence from many instances. The
reality of Rich can get better education in an easy way but poor hardly get their
diploma. Educational inequality is the unequal distribution of academic resources
and still needs policies that encourage educational attainment for men and women
based on merit, rather than gender.

2. Wealth and poverty

Social Inequality brought about by unequal distribution of wealth. The Covid19
pandemic teaches us the advantages of the upper and the lower class. Evidently
the struggles get by middle and lower class compare to the upper class. There’s a
huge different between allocation of wealthy and the poor in many ways.

3. Power
Power in the context of Social inequality connotes economic, cultural and
social positions. Thus, there’s symbolic with is reputation and certain position in
society.

4. Gender Inequality
Acknowledges that men and women are not equal and that gender affects an
individual's living experience. These differences arise from distinctions in
biology, psychology, and cultural norms.
• Social Issues in the 21st Century
A social issue in the contemporary times is essential topic when talking about social inequality. Thus, government programs
and initiatives in addressing social inequalities e.g. local, national, global to address these issues is continues
process.

• Local Inequality
Current state of the Indigenous Cultural communities. Ethnic group is involved in the local inequality. Sometimes, they are
less fortunate whose right are violated with rich people.

• National Inequality
Economic and Political current circumstances. Economic policy is a national interest and it gives direction to the future. If
national government fail to do its job effectively and candid way ----- the equilibrium of the rich and the poor arises much.
Thus, if political policies fail to give national interest for all with consideration of better futures, then discrimination also take
place.

• Global Inequality
International inequality refers to the idea of inequality between countries. This can be compared to global inequality which is
inequality between people across countries. This may refer to economic differences between countries. As well as medical
care and education differences. Inequality does not exist only in societies and states, but also among states. There are states
that are wealthier and more powerful than other states, and the former end up being more influential in the global
community. This leads to a situation of global inequality, where poorer and less powerful states end up being controlled and
influenced the richer and more powerful states.