EDITORIAL - Growth without development

Economic managers of the previous administration, who took pride in the country’s economic performance despite unending political turbulence, acknowledged that the fruits of growth did not trickle down to the masses. They also acknowledged what many quarters have often pointed out: economic growth could not keep pace with population growth.

Last week a study prepared by the United Nations Development Program projected moderate economic growth of 5.2 percent this year for the Philippines — a slowdown from last year’s 7.3 percent that was pushed up in part by election spending. That 5.2 percent is nothing to sneeze at in this period of soaring food and fuel prices and continuing financial woes for other countries. But the UNDP said economic growth would not translate into development and could increase poverty.

Unveiling the results of the 2011 Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific, the director of UNDP in the Philippines, Renaud Meyer, said fairly stable economic growth in the country for the past decade has failed to make a significant dent in alleviating poverty. He attributed this in part to population growth, and called on the government to “immediately” implement a “rational population management policy.” Renaud also said Philippine economic growth has not been inclusive and, at worst, “increases poverty, benefiting few industries, few regions, and a few sectors of society.”

The release of the study by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific was made as the World Health Organization also called for a law on family planning to make the program sustainable. Without a clear policy on family planning and reproductive health, the Philippines cannot achieve socio-economic development, according to WHO country representative So Nyunt-U.

International organizations are not the only ones pushing for such policies. Corruption is not the only reason why little progress has been made in reducing the number of Filipinos living below the poverty line. Another major reason is that the nation’s resources cannot meet the needs of the booming population. President Aquino should wield the powers of his office to push for the passage of a law that will promote women’s reproductive health and make the benefits of economic growth trickle down to the grassroots.