Abstract:
Development is a process of social transformation and human development
wherein tile people are both the subject and object of development.
In an era where economies and countries consolidate to become one global
village, the Philippines is doing its best to integrate itself in the global arena. To become
at par with the developing and advanced countries, our government anchored itself on the
so-called globalization. We adopted development strategies meant to uplift not only our
economy's status but also the lives of the people.
Past and present administrations focused on developing the economy. Different
policies and programs were implemented so as to realize the much elusive dream of
economic growth. Economic growth that aims to improve the people's lives. For
centuries, we, as with the other countries, upheld the theory that economic prosperity
would eventually trickle down to the people.
All over the world, human development has been pursued to be the relevant
manifestation of economic growth. The Little Samar fisherfolks who dwell in an urban
depressed area is an apparent picture that it has all been simply an empty rhetoric.
So, what is economic growth if it does not improve people's lives?
Development is a point of no return wherein human development and equity are
not seen as trade-offs.
