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The Future of Filipino Children: Development Issues and Trends Edited by: Florangel Rosario-Braid Ramon R. Tuazon Ann Lourdes C. Lopez Design and Layout: Ma. Imelda E. Samson Photo Credits: UNICEF, Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication, Imelda Samson The Future of Filipino Children: Development Issues and Trends was made possible with support provided by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the National Research Council of the Philippines (NCRP) to the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication. The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily refl ect the views of UNICEF or AIJC. For copies, please contact the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) at telephone numbers (6 32) 724-4576, 743-4321, 740-0396, email address: [email protected] and website: www.aijc.com.ph ISBN: 978-971-529-069-2 II THE FUTURE OF FILIPINO CHILDREN Development Issues and Trends Contents Foreword .............................................................................................................................................................. v Introduction: Building a Nation Fit for Children .............................................................................................. vii FAMILY AND COMMUNITY LIFE Changing Family Structure and Shifting Gender Roles: Impact on Child and Devellopment ...... 2 by Dr. Trinidad Osteria Promoting Gender Equality: Opportunities and Challenges .........................................................24 by Dr. Carolyn I. Sobritchea Cultural Diversity: Quest for Equitable and Sustainable Development ........................................ 40 by Dr. Carmen A. Abubakar HUMAN CAPITAL Developing the Filipino Child for 2020 and Beyond: Education and Literacy ..............................60 by Dr. Minda C. Sutaria The Role of Social Protection in Upholding Child Rights ............................................................... 88 by Alicia R. Bala HUMAN SECURITY Population and the Future of Children .........................................................................................116 by Dr. Ernesto M. Pernia Food Security of Filipino Children in the Medium Term ...............................................................134 by Dr. Emil Q. Javier, Dr. Arsenio M. Balisacan, Dr. Mercedes A. Sombilla and Riza M. Trumata Changing Tomorrow’s Health Today ..............................................................................................156 by Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan Crafting Energy Policies with Benefi ts for the Future Generation ...............................................172 by Dr. Francisco L. Viray and Myrna M. Velasco POLITICAL-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Economy, Environment and Filipino Children ...............................................................................190 by Dr. Cielito F. Habito Impact of Public Governance on the Rights of the Child .............................................................208 by Dr. Wilfrido Villacorta THE FUTURE OF FILIPINO CHILDREN III Development Issues and Trends INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY AND MASS MEDIA Communication Media and the Future of Filipino Children ........................................................228 by Dr. Florangel Rosario-Braid and Ramon R. Tuazon The Partners ...................................................................................................................................................256 The Expert-Writers ..........................................................................................................................................258 IV THE FUTURE OF FILIPINO CHILDREN Development Issues and Trends Foreword In our work for children, we recognize that our efforts are only as good as our ability to enable children to develop and reach their full potential. It is because of this that we supported the Asian Institute of Journalism (AIJC) to produce the Megatrends study in 1998, which examined the prevailing issues and trends affecting children at that time and established their impact on child development decades after. This new book The Future of Filipino Children, similar to its predecessor, is as invaluable not only to UNICEF but to all decision-makers in Philippine society who are influential in bringing about a nurturing environment for the children of this nation. It presents authoritative data and insights by experts on the themes covered, from their analysis of current and emerging development trends. It also helps us to create responsive programmes and policies by not only addressing persistent challenges (such as poverty, low literacy and armed conflict among others), but by directing our attention as well to issues such as gender inequality, overseas labor migration and use of information technology that may at first seem peripheral to children’s lives but are shown to be highly influential. Further, the alternative approaches it offers gives us the opportunity to re-think our present strategies to better achieve long-term benefits for children. It is my hope that this book will inspire future initiatives to track the country’s progress on children’s issues. I’m sure the knowledge offered here will help us move closer towards our goal of a Philippines truly fit for children. VANESSA TOBIN Country Representative VI THE FUTURE OF FILIPINO CHILDREN Development Issues and Trends Enabling policymakers Introduction A UNICEF report has noted, “Children pay the Building a nation fi t for children heaviest price for our short-sighted policies (and programmes). But certainly, they will also be the In 1998, the Asian Institute of Journalism and benefi ciaries of whatever investments we now Communication (AIJC) with the support of UNICEF make for their future.” A futuristic study such as published the pioneering study, Megatrends: The this would enable policymakers in government and Future of Filipino Children. The study attempted to other sectors to take a more long-term, holistic and defi ne a vision for the Filipino adult and a scenario strategic perspective of child survival, protection, for the Filipino family in 2020 by identifying and participation and development. In supporting the analyzing issues and trends affecting the Filipino study, UNICEF suggests that “such an initiative child in the nineties and how these would affect may be able to provide decision-makers a better the future of the child twenty-fi ve years hence. The understanding of environmental trends which could “megatrends” observed in the study formed the contribute towards the crafting of creative and bases for scenarios and policy recommendations. responsive policies.” More than a decade later, the 1998 study has been The new study has been prepared for use updated, also with UNICEF support. The Future of particularly by individuals and organizations in Filipino Children: Development Issues and Trends government, business and industry, and civil is a compilation of twelve sectoral papers written society involved in socioeconomic planning. For by experts in their respective fi elds. As in the fi rst government, the study is envisioned to be valuable study, it tracks and analyzes current and emerging to policymakers from the National Economic issues and trends affecting Filipino children today and Development Authority (NEDA), Council for and how these would affect their future by focusing the Welfare of Children (CWC), Early Childhood on fi ve themes: (1) family and community life, (2) Care and Development (ECCD) Council, and human capital, (3) human security, (4) political Departments of Social Welfare and Development and economic development, and (5) ICT and (DSWD), Health (DOH), and Education (DepEd), communication media. legislators in the Senate, House of Representatives, and the Sanggunian of Local Government Units As in the earlier study, the expert-writers attempted (LGUs), and local chief executives such as to respond to the following key questions: What governors, mayors and barangay captains. early warning indicators and signifi cant trends infl uence the development of the Filipino child? We hope that this report will also be useful to How are these forces shaping the environment the UN Country Team as it fi nalizes the Common for the coming years? How can today’s decision- Country Assessment (CCA) which will serve as makers “intervene” to safeguard the well-being of basis for the formulation of a new UN Development children and prepare them for the 21st century? Assistance Framework (UNDAF) in the Philippines. As the different UN agencies prepare their In terms of time frame, the papers show how the respective country programs, we trust that they will issues, indicators and trends affecting Filipino fi nd the issues and insights contained in the papers children today will shape the future of the youth relevant and compelling. The report can also and would-be-adults in 2015 and 2020. The year provide valuable inputs in the preparation of the 2015 coincides with the global deadline to achieve upcoming Medium-Term Philippine Development the United Nations Millennium Development Plan 2012-2016. Goals (MDGs), while 2020 is the target year for “A Vision for the Filipino Adult” and “Qualities of The Future of Filipino Children: Development Issues Institutions that Would Support the Vision” that and Trends comes at a time when the nation is were formulated in the Megatrends study. THE FUTURE OF FILIPINO CHILDREN VII Development Issues and Trends looking forward to a new government. We hope Tracking commomonalities that the policy options