Abstract:

As expected given the regions’ very diverse records of growth (see the last column in table 11.2), poverty indicators vary considerably across regions. However, Metro Manila consistently has the lowest poverty, while Bicol, Western Mindanao, and the Visayas, have the highest. In 2003 the poverty incidence in Bicol and Western Mindanao was roughly 10 times higher than in Metro Manila. Some significant re-rankings also occurred: ARMM became the poorest region in 2003, after being the third-least- poor region (out of 16 regions) in 1988. Even more significant is the differential evolution of poverty over time. In 2 regions, Western Mindanao and ARMM, poverty was higher in 2003 than in 1988. This increase also shows up in measures reflecting human development deprivation, particularly in the areas of health and education (HDN 2005). Toward the close of the 1990s, these two regions, particularly ARMM, were at the center of violent confrontations between the military and armed dissidents.

Info

Source Institution	World Bank
Source URL	http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTPHILIPPINES/Resources/WDR2009PaperBalisacan.pdf
Page Count	14
Place of Publication	Pasig City
Original Publication Date
Tags	Development, Economic Growth, Geography, Policy