Destitution in the Philippines

Widespread poverty is one of  the problems facing the Philippines. There are significant differences in poverty levels between regions and provinces.  Poverty problem just keeps on piling up as the  poverty gap between urban and rural areas widens.

Poverty is more severe in the Cordillera highlands and Mindanao Island.  Filipinos living in these rural areas are among the poorest in the country since most only depend on agriculture, fishing and subsistence farming for their livelihoods.

The root problem goes deeper than the lack of economic growth as the country’s poverty level remains high compared with the other Asian countries. Access to basic needs like clean and health care is difficult if not available. There is illiteracy, unemployment and continued rapid population growth further aggravating the problem. Indigenous people with have high illiteracy rates are affected by the influx of new modern technology onto traditional  practices. Fishermen encounter increasing reduction in their catches as they have few opportunities outside of fishing. The roles of womenfolk  are limited to family responsibilities.

The local government should exert more effort in alleviating the flight of the poor. They should aim at helping indigenous people cope with the situation.  Programs should also look into lessening the exploitation of farmers and fishermen, and providing security for vulnerable poor people, including children and women.  Since 80 percent of the rural population comes from poor families, more efforts should be directed towards improving the quality life of the poor rural people.

Making the Switch to Green Lifestyle

With the green lifestyle bandwagon, people are becoming more and more conscious about what they eat. Undoubtedly, food is one of the basic needs we human focus on to ensure health. Our body gets the nutrients it needs from milk, bread, eggs, fruits, meat and vegetables we eat. And since eating is a regular activity that we all do frequently, our health is directly affected by the food choices we make. What we put in our bodies is a matter of personal choice, what we can afford to buy and of convenience.

Hence, eating eco-friendly food becomes the most significant single action we can all do to combat global warming. By opting to go without certain products at certain times of the year, people realize that they help save on climate-change impacts of transporting these goods.

The number of consumers loading up on homegrown, organic fruits and vegetables plus meat are increasing. As these people encourage friends and relatives to go for locally-sourced, seasonal foods by seeking out the small close to home, the clamor for healthy food options increases. Making a commitment to healthy eating is a great start towards a healthier life. Beyond eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and good fats the question of food safety, nutrition, and sustainability is often discussed.

Moreover, questions on how foods are grown or brought about are often raised as it impacts both human health and the environment. Not only do people reduce their food consumption but they are now becoming more meticulous about the foods and the quality of foods they eat. Consumers would like to know more about where their food comes from. They would like to be informed on how the chickens are raised and what goes into its meat before they actually buy it.

You may have seen organic products on the counter or at your local supermarket, but you know what is really means to be organic? Do organic foods have significant advantages over standard products? When you visit a grocery store, a wide array of chicken choices awaits you. There is free-range, cage-free and natural and organic meat to choose from.

While looking at those options, you will find out that organic food comes with real benefits and significant costs. It makes you really wonder if the higher-priced organic chicken is actually worth it. Is organic food really healthier? Is it more nutritious? What is the difference between organic foods and conventionally grown foods? Is “organic” always best?  Why is it so expensive?