poverty and the role of research

WHY WE ARE IN SUCH A MESS?

Philippines Population , 2009: 92.2 million

10th MOST POPULOUS COUNTRY by 2050

Philippines: “Pearl of the Orient”

The Philippines is one of the world's most highly mineralized countries, with untapped mineral wealth estimated at more than $840 billion.

Philippine copper, gold, and chromate deposits are among the largest in the world.

WE ARE A MINERALIZED COUNTRY

CONSIDER THESE FACTS:

• $1 trillion worth of unexplored mineral resources

• 3rd worldwide in gold deposits,

• 4th in copper,

•5th in nickel, and

• 6th in chromite

A LAND FLOWING WITH MILK AND HONEY

But what we have done with them?

Maricalum mine disaster (Source: bulatlat)

Marcopper mine disaster (Source: Coumans)

Environmental and social costs of mining

Marcopper mine disaster (Source: Oxfam and saverapurapu)

Antamok open pit (Source: CPA) Rapu Rapu Island fish kill (Source: saverapurapu)

What is wrong with us?

The root cause of the problem is very complex and multifaceted.

It has something to do with our culture, institutions, leaders, etc.

It could be us. It could be you!!!!!!

The most problematic factors for doing business in the Philippines

The most problematic factors for doing business in the Philippines

Corruption.......................................................................22.7

Inefficient government bureaucracy.........................18.3

Inadequate supply of infrastructure ..........................15.4

Policy instability.............................................................11.8

Tax regulations ................................................................9.2

Tax rates ...........................................................................5.1

Restrictive labor regulations.........................................4.0

Inadequately educated workforce...............................2.3

Government instability/coups .......................................2.3

Access to financing........................................................2.1

Poor work ethic in national labor force ......................1.7

Crime and theft ................................................................1.7

Foreign currency regulations........................................1.3

Inflation .............................................................................1.2

Poor public health...........................................................1.0

But why do Filipinos law abiding when in foreign land?

Why do Filipinos excel when in other countries?

Poverty, corruption, ineptness, political dynasty, pollution, hunger, drug problem, and hosts of societal ill continue to exist because we ACCEPT THEM and BELIEVED THAT THERE’S NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT THEM.

CHANGE OF MINDSET; A NEW MENTAL PARADIGM, A NEW WAY OF THINKING

Given the resources and opportunities, we could move forward as a nation.If our leaders seriously invest in EDUCATION especially in math and science. Let us learn from SINGAPORE

What is Teach Less, Learn More? 

Teach Less, Learn More is about teaching better, to engage our learners and prepare them for life, rather than teaching more, for tests and examinations.

If, at a very young age, the habit of discovery and inquiry is inculcated in every Filipino.

If a Filipino learner is taught to be critical and analytical.

We should be:--Introspective.--Reflective.--Critical.--Analytical.--Objective.

The key is RESEARCH!!!!!!!

Research is about innovative ideas and creative thinking

Research is looking at things we see every day differently and from a different perspective.

Rosemary Hayes (rhayes@ou.edu) 4

Explain Yourself

Research is having the power to convince the whole

that you have the answer to a wicked problem.

Research is holding the future of the whole world in your palm.

Research is having the raw power to convince people about the TRUTH you have discovered.

“All developed countries recognize the importance

of science in reducing poverty, raising income

levels, and economic transformation.”

---------------Flor LacanilaoRetired professor of Marine Science Institute

University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Research is having the power to make people

see that you are BIG when you are really

small!

Research is weighing evidences to address a vexing problem in life.

Face-Off: Botox Vs. Dysport. Which Works Better?

“And the poor state of Philippine science is the

main reason why an increasing number of

neighbor countries have been leaving us behind.”

How research leads to development?

“R&D and S&T are commonly used acronyms. But many

hardly know their relation with each other -- research to science to

technology to development.”

National progress of five ASEAN countries as measured by their Human Development Index. Note the slower growth rate of the Philippines compared with the other our countries. 

UNDP’s Human Development Reports show a nation’s development compared with those of other countries -- ranking. Among 177 countries and territories, the Philippines’ ranking has been going down in the last 10 years. In 1997 and 1998, the Philippines ranked 77, but this dropped to 83-85 in 2000-2004, and to 102 in 2006.

“Philippines has lagged behind in research and development, and is the second to the last in Southeast Asia.”

Agham Party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones

 Publications of five ASEAN countries (A) and close up of the last three, Philippines, Indonesia,

and Vietnam (B). Note that the Philippines was ahead of Indonesia and Vietnam from 1980, but was last in 2006. (Figures by courtesy of Katherine Bagarinao.) 

• Insufficient R&D funds provided to the science community;• Inadequate infrastructure for R&D;• Need for better R&D and extension program coordination;• Outdated financial management for R&D;High taxes on the importation of research tools and equipment; and• Low number of trained R&D personnel; 

Palmones recommended, aside from more funds and better policy environment, the following:

•Develop infrastructure for research and for science and technology (S&T) human resourceswith sustainable program and institutions;• Make government financial management responsive for R&D;• Remove tariff for the importation of research tools, equipment and inputs;• Establish environment that encourages students to pursue careers in science and technology;• Accelerate technology transfer and utilization; and• Strengthen vital linkages and popularize S&T.

How competitive are we?

The GlobalCompetitiveness

Report2010–2011

Competitiveness------- the set of institutions, policies, and factors that determine the level of productivity of a country

The level of productivity, in turn, sets the sustainable level of prosperity that can be earned by an economy. In other words, more competitive economies tend to be able to produce higher levels of income fortheir citizens. The productivity level also determines the rates of return obtained by investments (physical, human, and technological) in an economy.

In other words: Productivity---Sustainable Prosperity/Good economy---

Higher income-----Better quality of Life

The 12 pillars of competitiveness

Institutions

InfrastructureMacroecono

mic Environment

Health & Primary

EducationHigher

Education & Training Good Market

EfficiencyLabor Market Efficiency

Financial Market

Development

Technological Readiness

Market Size

Business Sophisticatio

n

Innovation

The 12 pillars of competitiveness are not independent: they tend to reinforce each other, and a weakness in one area often has a negativeimpact on other areas.

For example, innovation (pillar 12) will be very difficult without a well-educated and trained workforce (pillars 4 and 5) that are adept at absorbing new technologies (pillar 9), and without sufficient financing (pillar 8) for R&D or an efficient goods market that makes it possible to take new innovations to market (pillar 6).

Gross domestic product (GDP) or gross domestic income (GDI) is a measure of a country's overall economic output. It is the market value of all final goods and services made within the borders of a country in a year. It is often positively correlated with the standard of living,[1]

 alternative measures to GDP for that purpose.

Most Populous Countries in 2050Country Population (millions)

India---------------------------------------------- 1,748China---------------------------------------------- 1,437United States ---------------------------------------439Indonesia ---------------------------------------------343Pakistan ----------------------------------------------335Nigeria ------------------------------------------------285Bangladesh -------------------------------------------222Brazil ---------------------------------------------------215Congo, Dem. Rep. ------------------------------------189Philippines -----------------------------------------------150

Most Populous Countries in 2050Country Population (millions)

India---------------------------------------------- 1,748China---------------------------------------------- 1,437United States ---------------------------------------439Indonesia ---------------------------------------------343Pakistan ----------------------------------------------335Nigeria ------------------------------------------------285Bangladesh -------------------------------------------222Brazil ---------------------------------------------------215Congo, Dem. Rep. ------------------------------------189Philippines -----------------------------------------------150

Cities with over 10 million inhabitants