Editorial

Truth And Realism In Statistics

by Ernesto T. Solidum

The recent Kapihan forum discussed the topic, “Updates on Philhealth and Philippine Statistics Authority”. The guests are J’Ruel del Rosario, Chief Social Insurance Officer, Philhealth, Rodelyn R. Panadero, OIC/Statistician II (PSA), Winilin S. Geonamga and Elle Jay Desamparado – Philhealth.

Mr. del Rosario mentioned that Philhealth today celebrates its 20th founding anniversary. As a reliable partner in health, the agency has a slogan, “Bawat Pilipino Miyembro, Bawat Miyembro Protektado, Kalusugan natin Segurado.” Today our universal coverage has extended to 90 percent of all Aklanons.

Our socialized insurance scheme is designed to be affordable and cost-efficient at P2,400 per year payable in installment or once. A 20 percent deduction for medical and hospital expenses is extended by Philhealth to a family of 5 members whose children are less than 21 years old. Providing support are accredited hospitals dispensing primary health care and treatment.

The Implementation of RA 10645 or Senior Citizen Governance by Philhealth requires greater patience and understanding since our small staff of 13 members could hardly cope with substantial volume of load. Nevertheless, we manage to complete the processing of new applicants because of the Anti-Red Tape Act, concluded Mr. del Rosario.

Ms. Geonamga revealed that Philhealth is implementing Point of Care (POC) program that provides medical relief to poor patients in government hospitals. Coverage is from first day of confinement and upon discharge of the patient. Under the policy non-members who are classified as indigent will be given “no billing” and included in the roster of C-3 or D beneficiaries. Indigents are determined upon interview and assessment by inhouse Social Workers.

It is also Philhealth policy to sustain maternal and child health by footing the bill for birthing in government hospitals. This is one of targeted Millennium Development Goals of the Philippines before the United Nations, said Ms. Geonamga.

Ms. Panadero disclosed that PSA is currently celebrating Civil Registration Month. Through the leadership of Mayor Lulu M. Miraflores of Ibajay, 68 couples will be married this year on day of hearts today, February 14. The year before, 300 live-in couples tied the knot sponsored by PSA and LGU Ibajay.

Our processing of papers – i.e. marriage, birth, death certificate takes only 30 minutes. However, for problems related to misspelled names, date of birth, sex, among others are for our local courts to resolve. Issuance of valid documents and conduct of socio economic surveys are included in PSA mandate.

Urgent matters such as marriage contract involving a foreigner who wants to travel abroad can be expedited within 2 weeks as long as supporting documents are intact, averred the Lady OIC.

French Revolutionist Macimillian Robispeire said that “the secret of freedom lies in educating people, whereas the secret of tyranny is keeping them ignorant”.

It should be noted that the Philippines has a number of reputable research organizations dealing on poverty incidence, level of employment and underemployment. Leading ones are PSA, Social Weather Station (SWS), and Ibon Foundation, Inc.

PSA defines employed individuals as 15 years old, having worked at least 1 hour in a 40 hour work week, and either paid or unpaid. As of April 2014, the labor force 15 years old and above was 63.778 million. After deducting the number of students and disabled of 22.184 million the total balance is 41.589 million work force.

If unemployment rate is 7 percent, the product is 2.924 million unemployed. On the other hand, underemployment pertains to persons employed but seeking additional job and this figure is 18.7 percent if the total labor force in 2014.

Notice that there is a generous interpretation of the labor force. The International Labor Organization (ILO) bans forced labor or those performing jobs less than 18 years old. At another point, why include persons performing less productive hours (1 hour)?

Meanwhile, SWS defines joblessness as respondents, aged 18 years old and above without jobs at present and are looking for work. This excludes those not looking for job such as housewives, students and retired or disabled persons.

Expectedly, PSA comes up with a rundown figure of 7 percent unemployment while SWS has 27.5 percent. Which data appear truthful and realistic? PSA? or SWS?

The war on poverty by the government involves deceptive tactics. Making people complacent and cheerful is one of them. Some perks are allocating P64.7 billion in 2015 for Conditional Cash Transfer, 20 percent discount to Senior citizens in hospitals, medicine and transport and rehabilitation/recovery for super typhoon victims. These measures are induced, selective and never meant to be permanent.

People must be aware of the implication of pervasive joblessness and the consequence of poverty. Dan Brown, author of “Gates of Hell” poignantly tells of “looking into desolate eyes of children.”

In 2012 the National Statistics Coordination Board said that a Filipino family of 5 members needed P5,513 to meet basic food needs monthly and P7,890 to stay above poverty. Based on this consideration, SWS reported that 50.5 percent of families in 2014 were poor and 40 percent food poor. Ibon Foundation Inc. on the other hand claimed that 60 percent of Filipino families are 56 million, are struggling to survive on P100 or less per day with another 10 million trying to survive on P125 per day. Even PSA admits that poverty incidence in the country is 25 percent, a far cry from the MDG poverty reduction target of 16.5 percent in 2015.

A collaborative report by DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz shows that job creation was 2.8 percent in 2010, 3.2 percent in 2011, 1.1 percent in 2012, and 0.8 percent in 2013. Basically, government job creation is inutile. Hence, it is crucial to have private sector support. Another recommendation could be changing DOLE into Department of Overseas Employment.

Practically, there is a need to revise the mechanics and definition in the collection of data on employment, family income, and expenditures by PSA Census Enumarators.

Of what use is statistics when data is questionable and unrealistic? It is trash! We like to boost of tiger economy GDP growth but this is hollow since this is non-inclusive. There is a need to restructure our economy so that 20 percent of our population do not control 80 percent of all our resources. Yawning gap between the rich and poor is liken to a simmering volcano.

Agriculture grows sluggishly and impotent: 2 percent in 2010, 2 percent in 2011, 0.3 percent in 2012, 1 percent in 2013, and 1.8 percent in 2014. The optimum target growth for agriculture is 4.3 – 5.3 percent. Data reveal that food security has never been achieved since population growth of 1.2 percent per year has simply outrun food production and supply. Again, DA must be renamed Department of Food Importation. 

The need to have truthful and realistic statistical data cannot be overemphasized. Policy direction and programs are based on official research data. Any deliberate attempt to mislead people could be a serious criminal offense. PSA must spearhead the way for transparency and accountability in rendering service to the people. /MP