Wednesday, April 30, 2008 Nalzaro: Band-aid solution By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
“DON'T give a man fish. Instead, teach him how to fish.” This old saying should guide our political leaders in view of the food crisis hounding the globe.
This means that if you give food to a poor man, he may not get hungry today but he will be hungry the next day. If you teach a man to get food by himself or to earn money to get food, the help will be long-term.
In countries like the Philippines, many people are poor. The political situation and corruption in government are driving investors away. Investment money ends up in crooked government officials’ pockets. Overpopulation gives rise to an increase in unemployment.
Government has allocated P5 billion to help the poor cope up with the escalating prices of basic commodities. This is done through direct financial aid to poverty-stricken families. Under the Ahon Pamilyang Pilipino program, a family will get P1,400 month stipend and an additional P300 for every child who logs at least 85 percent class attendance in a month.
But because of budgetary constraints, the five-year program could cover only 300,000 families in 20 poorest provinces or 7 percent of the 4.7 million households in the country. At least, Zamboanga del Norte, my home province, is one of the beneficiaries being among the poorest provinces based on the 2004 Neda poverty incidence survey. Lawyer Frank Malilong’s home province, Masbate, is in the list.
I agree with some Catholic Church leaders who criticized the program. It would make the poor dependent on the government and encourage laziness. But I don’t think the dole outs will make the poor lose their dignity. Hungry people don't mind dignity and principles.
I agree, though, that the program is just a band aid solution. Government admitted that it will only last for five years for lack of funds. After five years, what will happen to the beneficiaries?
Why won't government come up with a comprehensive and long-term solution to address the problem of poverty, like extending loans with low interest rates to fund the setting up of small-scale businesses?
Or government can hire qualified members of poor families as utility workers or ask the private sector to do the same. The underprivileged have some skills though they are not given the opportunity to use them.
With these moves, the poor will no longer be dependent on government's dole outs because they will have their own income to support their needs. Nasa tao ang gawa, nasa Diyos ang awa.
