EDITORIAL - Rated poor

The year drew to a close with 11.4 million families or more than half of the country’s population rating themselves poor, according to the fourth quarter survey of the Social Weather Stations Inc. The figure brings to 54 percent the average for the year – the highest since 2006, the SWS reported.

The same nationwide survey showed that 9.1 million households rated themselves “food-poor” – worse than the 39 percent last year and the same as in 2012.

A conditional cash transfer program started in the previous administration has helped ease poverty for millions. But there are too many Filipinos living below the poverty line, with aid organizations placing the number at 40 percent of the population. Even CCT beneficiaries have expressed the wish to receive more than conditional cash assistance from the government; they are asking for sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Providing decent employment and livelihood opportunities must be a focus of the administration in the coming year. Creating meaningful jobs calls for creating an environment that is attractive to investments. The government knows what must be done, from suggestions submitted every year by business groups, which have also identified areas with the best potential for growth. Government action on many of the proposals, however, continues to be slow.

Even the much-touted anti-corruption campaign of the administration has a long way to go. The year is ending with a report that even in the construction of new power plants, red tape and corruption are getting in the way. The report came out amid warnings of an acute power shortage in the summer of 2015, with no long-term relief in sight. The complaint is not unique to the energy industry.

The results of the SWS survey validate observations, acknowledged by the government, that economic growth is not being felt by the masses. The survey is a challenge to the Aquino administration to do more for inclusive growth as it sprints toward the finish line.