I ALWAYS ask my Graduate School students at Guimaras State University, why is that no matter how hard-working Filipinos are, many still struggle to rise in life?
Nope, it’s not just because of lack of strategy and personal circumstances in life. The systems around us also have a big impact.
Let’s talk about six reasons that hinder our true advancement.
Education
The lack of quality education is one of the deepest and most important reasons why many Filipinos struggle to advance the lack of quality education. Education is one of the most effective ways to get out of poverty.
In the Philippines, many schools still lack resources. As a result, the graduates’ competence is low, so they do not get high salaries or good jobs.
For the year 2024, results of the Program for International Students Assessment (PISA) is disappointing when it comes to math, reading and science for children 15 years old.
Millions of students struggled under modular learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and even today some of them are still struggling to catch up.
The quality of education is also uneven. In private schools there is internet. The textbooks are updated, and the class is small so students can focus more.
In many public schools, the classrooms are overcrowded, the equipment is old and there is a shortage of teachers.
In addition to that, there are multiple class shifts because there are so many students.
Public education in the Philippines is free. But is it really free if the equipment is inadequate, books are outdated and there is no proper classroom?
If there are almost 60 students in a classroom, it is difficult to be sure that the children are learning.
When the child does not get the right knowledge and skills, he is not ready to face the real world.
Sometimes you graduate from college but still can’t find a good job because you lack the skills that companies need. Education has a big impact on the so-called cycle of poverty.
When education is poor, of course there are no good jobs. Of course, the income is small and quality education for the children cannot be afforded.
Many of us are no longer surprised by this cycle of life. So we must fight for quality and
equal education for all because this is the first step to give every Filipino a real chance to advance.
Low wages and underemployment
Many of those who work in the Philippines are only paid minimum wage. Sometimes even less. They don’t earn enough to advance or save.
Others are overqualified for their jobs but are forced to accept them because of the lack of available opportunities.
The minimum wage in the National Capital Region as of 2025 is around P695 per day. But according to the IBON Foundation, a family with five members needs at least P2,000 per day to live well. That means even working up to 12 hours per day is still not enough to meet basic needs, especially that children are going to school, there are bills to be paid, and food is needed.
That’s not all. There are also many of us who just accept work even if it is a “no work no pay” setup, or even if there is no benefit because there is no other option.
Because of the small and insufficient income, the family cannot save. When there is an emergency, there is nothing to draw. So many are buried in debt. And this cycle repeats over and over again. (To be continued)/PN
