A new way of looking at the human development perspective of poverty: a Philippine study
Date
1999-10
Authors
Banawa, Gay Cheryl Aguilar
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Abstract
Poverty has long been a distinct problem of the Philippines and the government continues to find ways and means of addressing this very common dilemma. Several methods are being used to explain the
causes and indicators of inequality. This study addresses, in particular, United Nations Development Programme's Human Development Index's implications. It is the purpose of the paper to test whether the three functions of HOI; health, knowledge, and standard of living, have a direct relationship to poverty incidence. It is also examined whether gender disparities affect poverty reduction. These are all in consideration of the assumption that increased human development and reduced gender inequality promotes poverty alleviation. Multiple regression analysis is employed in testing the hypotheses. The main objective of this study is to investigate the human development perspective of poverty. The key findings examined in detail are the negative relationships of poverty incidence to the three indicators of
HOI functions; life expectancy, literacy and average income. Poverty incidence's remarkable sensitivity to male life expectancy and female literacy is analyzed. Finally, the researcher enumerated relevant recommendations. It is proposed for the government to concentrate on job-creating investments to increase the number of income earners. Lastly, policies and programs of the government are suggested to focus on enhancing the status of women because it will alleviate poverty to a large extent.
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Keywords
Human development, Poverty