Phl needs economic framework that could empower the poor Gr

CEBU, Philippines - Amid the vibrant economic growth the country has registered for the past years, advocates of the social entrepreneurship bill pointed out the lack of framework of the Philippines for an alternative economy that could empower the poor and achieve inclusive growth through social solidarity economy.

Dr. Ben Quiñones, president of Asian Solidarity Economy Coalition in the Philippines, said that the country is still struggling with poverty as the same problem repeatedly over the years despite all the positive growth rates of its economic performance.

“We are creating an economy that is systematically creating poverty. We have been doing so much in empowering the poor but still go back to the same economy that breed that problem we are still being fed into the machine of neoliberal economy,” he added.

He said that the existing economy in the country is dominated with Filipinos who prefer to stay as employees and not starting to put up their own businesses which in one way, could fuel up the economic development of the Philippines.

Quiñones then recommended the social solidarity economy (SSE) movement that seeks to erect an economic model centered on people. It is based on practices of cooperation and solidarity between communities and groups through entrepreneurship.

He cited that this kind of economy produces goods, services and knowledge while pursuing economic and social aims and fostering solidarity.

“SSE represents a paradigm shift of managing individual enterprises to governing an economy that is centered on poor people and environmental sustainability,” he said.

Once local producers and consumers unite, Quiñones added, the Philippine economy could be self-sufficient through the social solidarity economy.

“Ang pagkakaisa ng mga Pilipino ang solusyon. Ang problema kasi, walang pagkakaisa sa Pilipinas,” he said.

Foundation for a Sustainable Society (FSSI) executive director Jay Bertram Lacsamana said that there has to be a policy change that is compatible with the values and objectives of SSE that must be in place to allow SSE sectors to expand and sustain SSE further.

“Policymakers can create legal and financial levers, support or even the creation of financial institutions specifically dedicated to the SSE,” he said. 

He cited that 33 out of 100 Filipinos are reported to be poor and the figure has been partially unchanged since 2006, 2009 and 2012.

Southern Partners Fair Trade Center (SPFTC) managing director Geraldine Labradores pointed out the need to upscale the impacts to poverty reduction, environmental sustainability and improvement of human rights of the social solidarity economy sector.

She said that the fair trade movement that is part of social enterprise is not much strong in the Philippines unlike in other countries who acknowledge such for a cause.

She said that fair trade players should be given enough assistance and attention in order to cope with the challenges in the market such as the stiff competition with the commercialized ones, climate change and other environmental issues, market linkage concerns, capital access, marketing strategies and skills training programs.

A key piece of legislation proposed by the SSE advocates is the passage of the Poverty Reduction through Social Entrepreneurship (PRESENT) Bill which seeks to promote an economic planning that makes the poor in economic subsectors more productive and engaged in humane and productive way.

Key features of this bill include non-collateralized credit windows, market development, market research, tax incentives and other business support facilities. The PRESENT bill is co-authored by House Representatives Cresante Paez, Anthony Bravo and Teodor Baguilat.

“It is high time to consider this bill. We should come together and lobby for the support of this anti-poverty bill,” Lacsamana said, adding that Senator Benigno Paulo Aquino IV already expressed support to the passage of the PRESENT bill while they are still reaching out for the support of Senator Allan Peter Cayetano.

FSSI and SPFTC recently conducted a two-day conference in Cebu, gathering SSE advocates from the Visayas region. It was aimed to generate knowledge on vast experiences of community enterprises and cooperatives in engaging the poor in economic development. /JOB (FREEMAN)