In this article, we are supposed to discuss why so many Filipinos are poor. Our interest was pricked by the assertions that “majority of Pinoys have the habit of thinking poor” and that “negosyo, ang sagot sa kahirapan.”

The original thrust is very interesting, especially if we consider that 34.2 percent of the Philippine population is living below the poverty line (NSO, 2000). Also, according to a survey conducted in September 2007, about nine million Filipino families (52%) consider themselves “mahirap” or poor. If the population is 88.57 million in August 2007, with a projected population of 90.46 million by 2008, then the high level of poverty is certainly a problem. There is no debate about that. The debate is on the cause of such poverty and equally on the solutions.

It’s tempting to discuss this subject matter and say that “majority of Pinoys have the habit of thinking poor“. It’s easy to say that the poor waste their hours sitting idly in the neighborhood store. “Tambay” is the word, I believe. This affliction, if we could consider it as such, is also present with the rich, except that they “make tambay” in malls and, more importantly, they have businesses, investments and savings that earn more money even if they’re just sitting around. We should not criticize the rich for that, but we should not also unfairly generalize that the poor is lazy — I have seen so many poor people doing backbreaking, honest labor under the sun all day.

Saying that business is the answer to poverty is understandable. The logic appears to be simple. Successful business generates employment, reducing unemployment rate. Work for more people is a good sign of progress, although this may be too simplistic considering that economic gains have not trickled down to the poor. On the other hand, this doesn’t seem to be the focus of GoNegosyo; it’s the cultivation of an entrepreneurial spirit among the people, embodied in this line: “Teach a nation how to fish, feed the nation many lifetimes.”

It’s also tempting to discuss poverty and entrepreneurship especially if we consider that entrepreneurship is not confined to any class or group of people. Prof. Andy Ferreria, who provided the entrepreneurial lessons in the book “Negosyo: Joey Concepcion’s Inspiring Entrepreneurial Stories”, noted that the “entrepreneurial spirit can be made and can be developed regardless of age, gender, social status, economic status…etc.” Besides, we see poor people making their way up the ladder of economic success, which shows that poverty is not, or should not be, a hindrance.

We explored that path for a while, then we realized that it would be presumptuous for us to try to identify the root causes, something which experts have been debating for years. To discuss a solution, we must know the root/s of the problem. So, let’s steer clear of this debate (of course, you may have your own thoughts that you would want to discuss in the comment section below). Let’s focus on entrepreneurship without lambasting the poor.

• The Rich grows Richer, Poor gets Poorer
• Banker to the Poor: Micro-Lending and the Battle Against World Poverty
• Negosyo: Sagot sa Kahirapan?
• Rich Dad, Poor Dad (Robert Kiyosaki)
• Are Filipinos Ready to Become Entrepreneurs?
• The Richest Filipinos in 2008
• More Filipinos Feel they are Worse Off