The Contemporary World: Comparative Economy, Politics and Culture Philippines and Myanmar

Republic of the Philippines
Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology

Sumacab Campus
Cabanatuan City
THE CONTEMPORARY
WORLD
COMPARATIVE ECONOMY,
POLITICS AND CULTURE
PHILIPPINES AND MYANMAR
CLARISSA E. LAHAY-LAHAY
Student
JAYMART C. LIGAS
Instructor
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Flag of Two Countries .............................................................................................3
History of the Philippines ........................................................................................4
Population in the Philippines ..................................................................................6
The Culture in the Philippines ................................................................................8
The Political Condition in the Philippines .............................................................9
The Latest Economic Condition in the Philippines ............................................10
The Plan of the Government in Terms of our Economy ....................................12
The Current News in the Country in terms of Economy, Politics or Government

and its People ..........................................................................................................15
History of the Myanmar ........................................................................................20
Population in the Myanmar ..................................................................................21
The Culture of the Myanmar ................................................................................23
The Political Condition in the Myanmar .............................................................25
The Latest Economic Condition in the Myanmar ..............................................27
The Plan of the Government in Terms of the Economy.....................................29
The Current News in the Country in terms of Economy, Politics or Government

and its People ..........................................................................................................30
REFERENCES .......................................................................................................32
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Flag of Two Countries
PHILIPPINES
MYANMAR
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History of the Philippines
People have lived in the Philippines since the dawn of human history. Originally, the various
islands were populated by competing tribes, each with their own king or queen. In 1521, the
explorer Magellan claimed the islands for Spain and colonization began in 1565. Manila was
established as the capital of what was then known was the Spanish East Indies in 1571.
Spanish rule brought Catholicism to the area, with missionaries establishing churches, schools,
hospitals, universities and largely displacing the previously entrenched Hindu, Islamic and
Buddhist faiths. Free education was introduced in 1863, but did not take off until much later.
Residents were obligated to defend against internal revolts by indigenous groups, as well as attacks
from the Dutch and Portuguese. Free trade was introduced during the 19th century which brought
wealth to the population. Evidence of Spanish rule can be seen across the Philippines, particularly
in the plentiful Baroque churches and the walled Intramuros district of Manila.
In 1872, three priests were executed at Bagumbayum (now Rizal Park) for sedition, which sparked
a movement for political reform. Early lobbyists were executed, which prompted Andrés Bonifacio
to establish a secret society for independence known as the Katipunan, in 1892. The organization
gained many members, and Emilio Aguinaldo became leader. 1896 saw the execution of Dr. José
Rizal which prompted an uprising by the revolutionaries. The Philippines was briefly declared
independent by Aguinaldo in 1898, but this was not recognized by America, as it asserted a claim
to the islands as a result of the 1898 Treaty of Paris that ended the Spanish-American war.
The Philippine-American war between American soldiers and Filipino revolutionaries lasted from
1899-1902 and resulted in US control of the region, during which literacy increased and freedom
of religion was introduced, removing Catholicism’s status as the state religion. America’s promises
of independence in 1916 led to the Philippines being granted Commonwealth status in 1935.
However, the Philippines were invaded by Japan during WWII, which was a dark time when over
a million Filipinos died. The nation finally regained its independence on July 4, 1946. The
challenge of rebuilding was compounded by frequent challenges from rebel groups and
communists. In 1965, Ferdinand Marcos was elected president. He introduced martial law to retain
power in 1972, from which time he persecuted rivals and ruled by decree.
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The assassination of the opposition leader, Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino, Jr. in 1983 increased political
pressure for reform. Marcos called a presidential election in 1986, in which he defeated Benigno
Aquino’s widow, Corazon Aquino in what was widely believed to be a rigged result. The People
Power revolution followed and resulted in the defeat and exile of Marcos and his allies. Tourists
can visit Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), which was the site of mass protests in support of
the rebel leaders. After the departure of Marcos, Corazon Aquino was recognized as president of
the Philippines.
From 1986 onwards, progress was hampered by corruption, national debt, attempted coups and
ongoing insurgency by communist and Islamic groups. The economy improved between 1992 and
1997, until the East Asian Financial Crisis, internal corruption and another revolution in 2001
caused further difficulties for the nation. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo became president after the
revolution but her nine-year administration was marred by scandal and corruption. Benigno
‘Noynoy’ Aquino III was elected president in May 2010 and shortly after in September, secured a
US $434 million agreement with the Millennium Challenge Corporation to help fund programs for
infrastructure development, revenue generation and poverty reduction.
Rizal Park in Manila is one of the most politically significant sites in the Philippines. It was the
location for the executions of early revolutionaries, the 1946 declaration of independence, and the
1986 rallies of Marcos and Corazon Aquino that led to the EDSA revolution.
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Population in the Philippines

The population of the Philippines as of August 1, 2015 was 100,981,437, based on the 2015 Census
of Population (POPCEN 2015). The 2015 population is higher by 8.64 million compared with the
population of 92.34 million in 2010, and by 24.47 million compared with the population of 76.51
million in 2000.
Census Year Census Reference Date Population

(in millions)
2000 May 1, 2000 76.51
2010 May 1, 2010 92.34
2015 August 1, 2015 100.98
The Philippine population increased by 1.72 percent annually, on average, during the period 2010
to 2015. By comparison, the rate at which the country’s population grew during the period 2000
to 2010 was higher at 1.90 percent.
Of the country’s 18 administrative regions, Region IV-A (CALABARZON) had the biggest
population in 2015 with 14.41 million, followed by the National Capital Region (NCR) with 12.88
million, and Region III (Central Luzon) with 11.22 million. The combined population of these
three regions accounted for about 38.1 percent of the Philippine population in 2015.
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was the fastest growing region with an
average annual population growth rate (PGR) of 2.89 percent.
The country has 81 provinces. Of these provinces, Cavite was the most populous in 2015 with 3.68
million persons, followed by Bulacan (3.29 million), and Laguna (3.04 million). Twenty-four other
provinces surpassed the one million population mark. Refer to Table 3.
Batanes was the smallest province in terms of population size with 17,246 persons. Two other
provinces posted a population size of less than 100,000. These are Siquijor (95,984) and Camiguin
(88,478).
The Philippines has 33 highly urbanized cities (HUCs). Four of these HUCS had surpassed the
one million population mark, namely, Quezon City (2.94 million), City of Manila (1.78 million),
Davao City (1.63 million), and Caloocan City (1.58 million).
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The country has 1,489 municipalities. The three largest municipalities in terms of population size
are all located in the province of Rizal. These are the municipalities of Rodriquez (Montalban)
with 369,222 persons, Cainta (332,128), and Taytay (319,104). Fifteen other municipalities had a
population size of more than 150,000.
The municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan was the smallest municipality in 2015, in terms of
population size, with 184 persons. There are 42,036 barangays in the country. The largest barangay
in terms of population size is Barangay 176 in Caloocan City with 247 thousand persons. It was
followed by Commonwealth in Quezon City (198,285) and Batasan Hills in Quezon City
(161,409). Twelve other barangays posted a population size of more than a hundred thousand
persons.
The POPCEN 2015 was undertaken by the Philippine Statistics Authority in August 2015 pursuant
to Republic Act No. 10625, also known as the Philippine Statistical Act of 2013 and Executive
Order No. 352 – Designation of Statistical Activities That Will Generate Critical Data for
Decision-Making of the Government and the Private Sector, which stipulates the conduct of a mid-
decade census primarily to update the population count in all barangays nationwide.
Information on the count of the population were collected with 12:01 a.m. of August 1, 2015 as
the census reference time and date.
His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III declared as official for all purposes the population
counts by province, city/municipality, and barangay, based on the POPCEN 2015 under
Proclamation No. 1269 dated 13 May 2016. The population counts were based on census
questionnaires accomplished by about 90,000 enumerators deployed during the nationwide census
taking.
The successful completion of the census-taking was made possible with the support of the local
and national officials, government agencies, local government units, media, private agencies, and
non-government organizations.
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The Culture in the Philippines

The culture of the Philippines comprises a blend of traditional Filipino and Spanish Catholic
traditions, with influences from America and other parts of Asia. The Filipinos are family oriented
and often religious with an appreciation for art, fashion, music and food.
Filipinos are also hospitable people who love to have a good time. This often includes getting
together to sing, dance, and eat. The annual calendar is packed with festivals, many of which
combine costumes and rituals from the nation’s pre-Christian past with the Catholic beliefs and
ideology of present day.
FESTIVAL
MANO TO ELDERS
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The Political Condition in the Philippines
Politics in the Philippines has traditionally been dominated by clans and political bosses and
patronage and is characterized by law makers that make decisions based on fiscal incentives rather
that beliefs and voters that make choices based on personality rather than reasoned policies. Under
the traditional “utang na loob” system of patronage, or obligation earned through favors, voters
expect money or jobs in return for their political support. In many cases politician’s performance
was based on dole-outs not on programs or policies. Philippine concepts about debt repayment and
kinship responsibilities plays a major role in how political networks are set up and run (See
FILIPINO CHARACTER AND PERSONALITY: HIYA, AMOR PROPIO Under People).
Personalities are more important than parties in Philippine politics. Movie stars and other
celebrities have enjoyed considerable success. In addition1, several prominent families play a
disproportionate role in politics. The support of the military and the Catholic church are key to
political survival and success in the Philippines. Promises are generally not kept. Arroyo, for
example, pledged to bring cheap power to the poor as a campaign pledge and then doubled power
rates after she was elected. She also promised not to run for a second time but changed her mind
because she said God made her decide to run.
The Philippines is known for its rough-and-tumble political scene. Politicians are routinely killed
and sometimes they even do the do the killing themselves. Every now and then it seems the entire
country is on the verge of collapse because of a coup attempt, People Power protest or
impeachment effort. On the day-to-day level, politicians are unable to achieve many of their goals
and carry out programs they proposed due to political opposition, mainly from the ruling elite.
Arroyo and her cabinet said that political fighting and sniping exhausted and frustrated them
deeply.
Carlos H. Conde wrote in the New York Times, “In the Philippines, politics is a blood sport. Here,
politicians often behave like gladiators: To survive they have to entertain the spectators. The
turmoil from the [Arroyo] scandal has once again brought Filipinos and their unique brand of
rambunctious democracy to international attention, providing a sideshow to the more pressing
problems. Filipinos are no longer surprised by election fraud. Thanks to the damage Ferdinand
Marcos, the dictator, did to the democratic institutions that American-style democracy helped
establish after World War II, and the prevalence of an almost feudal political structure, particularly
in the provinces, Filipinos have come to accept election cheating as normal.
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The Latest Economic Condition in the Philippines
MANILA, Philippines – Even as its first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) expansion fell to
a four-year low due to delayed budget implementation, the Philippines is still expected to be among
the fastest-growing economies in Asia amid slowing regional growth, London-based Capital
Economics said.
In its Emerging Asia Economic Outlook report for the third quarter, Capital Economics said it
expects growth across the region “to remain weak this year, with many countries set to grow at
their slowest pace in a decade.”
“In aggregate terms, we think GDP growth in emerging Asia will slow from 5.5 percent last year
to 5 percent in 2019 and 2020,” Capital Economics said, mainly blaming cooling global demand
amid a trade war mainly between China and the US.
The Philippines will nonetheless buck this trend and post GDP growth of “around 6 percent over
the next couple of years,” Capital Economics said.
Specifically, it sees Philippine economic growth at 6 percent this year and next year before
climbing to 6.5 percent in 2021.
The government targets 6-7 percent growth this year and 6.5-7.5 percent next year.
The economy grew by a three-year low of 6.2 percent in 2018, but still faster than the average of
5.7 percent between 2008 and 2017.
While the delayed passage of the P3.7-trillion national budget impacted on first-quarter growth,
“government spending has subsequently rebounded” after President Duterte approved this year’s
appropriations on April 15.
“Stronger government spending should lead to an acceleration in growth over the coming
quarters,” Capital Economics said.
The government underspent P1 billion a day on public goods and services between January and
April as it used reenacted 2018 funds.
For Capital Economics, the victory of most of President Duterte’s allies in Congress and easing
inflation were expected to support sustained robust economic growth in the near term.
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“The strong performance by supporters of President Duterte in the recent midterm elections means
the government should have fewer problems getting the budget through Congress in the future.
Under the government’s current plans, infrastructure spending should increase from an estimated
4.9 percent of GDP in 2018, to 6.4 percent of GDP in 2021,” it said.
“Meanwhile, consumer spending growth is set to accelerate on the back of falling inflation.
Inflation has dropped back sharply since late 2018 and is likely to decline further over the coming
months. Our forecast is for inflation to average just 1.5 percent in the second half of this year. This
is under the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ 2- 4 percent target range” for 2019, it added.
However, Capital Economics considers the ballooning current account deficit as the “key risk” to
the Philippine economy as it would further weaken the peso.
“We expect the current account to deteriorate further over the coming quarters. Import demand is
likely to remain strong due to an increase in demand for raw materials and capital goods, while
exports should remain lackluster in the face of weak external demand,” Capital Economics said.
“The worsening current account position is likely to make the peso vulnerable to sudden shifts in
global risk appetite. Our forecast is for the peso to reach 55 to the US dollar by end-2019,” Capital
Economics added.
With regards the Duterte administration, Capital Economics noted of both good reforms and
political noise seen to impact on investor sentiment.
“In terms of the political situation, Duterte has introduced a number of useful reforms, including
changes to the tax system as well as the big increase in infrastructure spending. However, these
changes are being undermined by the President’s increasingly autocratic tendencies, including his
willingness to undermine political institutions and attack his opponents, which have caused foreign
investors to take fright,” according to Capital Economics.
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The Plan of the Government in Terms of our Economy
2019 National Priority Plan
The National Priority Plan (NPP) is a list of government’s priority programs, projects and activities
in the areas of education, health, youth and sports development, human settlements, science and
culture, and economic development. The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)
issues this list annually as mandated in the National Internal Revenue Code:
Program/Project/Activity Brief Description Implementing

(PPAs)
Agency
Malnutrition Reduction The MRP is an expansion of the

Program (MRP) DOST PINOY (Package for the
Improvement of Nutrition of Young Department of
Children), a nationwide strategy to Science and
Address undernutrition among Technology – Food
young Filipino children. The MRP and Nutrition
involves direct feeding of rice- Research Institute
mongo based complementary foods (DOST-FNRI)
for 6 months to below 3 years old
children, and nutrition education of
mothers/caregivers.
Science and Technology STARBOOKS is a compiled set of
Academic Research Based digitized science and technology
Openly Operated Kiosk (S&T) information and knowledge
(STARBOOKS) stored in a computer deployed by
DOST –STII for use of schools and Department of
communities, mostly located in Science and
remote areas. It is a stand-alone Technology – Science
library in a box that can be used even and Technology
without internet access. Information Institute
DOSTv: Science for The People DOSTv is the official weather and
science program of the DOST to
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Communicate Science for the

people, promote a culture of science
and technology (S&T), and
encourage the youth to pursue
Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Mathematics (STEM) careers. It
embodies the policy and program
thrust of the new DOST
administration by strengthening the
country’s capacity for S&T in terms
of infrastructure, absorptive
capacity and human resource
development.
Adopt-A-School Program The ASP, which was established
(ASP) under Republic Act 8525 or ASP
Act of
1998, is a vital program to improve
access to quality basic education in
the country by strengthening Department of
partnerships with private sectors, Education (DepEd)
government sector, non-government
sector and local government
units. Under the program, partners
provide assistance by upgrading and
modernizing public elementary and
high schools.
Enterprise Assistance via The program aims to ensure the
Equipment and Technology viability of local dairy enterprises
Support for the economic upliftment of rural
families and those that depend on it
through the provision of equipment
and technology support. To do this,
business development agreements Department of
under public-private partnerships Agriculture – National
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will be provided to local dairy Dairy Authority

cooperatives. (DANDA)
Production of Local Dairy Through this program, approaches
Cattle for the Dairy Industry such as: (a) Breeding through
through Genetic Improvement Artificial Insemination of Existing
Dairy Animals; and (b) Upgrading
of Local Cattle into Dairy Breeds
will be utilized to raise cattle
production, subsequently increasing
the local supply of milk and milk
products
Milk Feeding Program The Milk Feeding Program provides
milk to community and school based
children at risk of malnutrition as
well as the elderly, pregnant women
and lactating mothers within a
feeding period of 120 or 200 days.
Each beneficiary receives a 180 to
200 ml pack of fresh milk or
chocolate flavored milk per day,
five (5) times a week from Monday
to Friday.
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The Current News in the Country in terms of Economy, Politics or

Government and its People
Recent Economic and Policy Developments
Philippine economic growth moderated to 6.2 in 2018, weighed down by weak global trade and
high domestic inflation.
A weak and uncertain external environment and subpar performance in net exports contributed to
an overall balance of payments deterioration and a depreciation of the Philippine peso in 2018.
Headline inflation peaked at 6.7 percent in October, before gradually decreasing in the last two
months of the year. The main drivers of inflation were rising food, energy, and transport prices.
Capital inflows increased, yet balance of payments deficit widened due to current account deficit.
Outlook and Risks
Economic growth is projected to reach 6.4 percent in 2019 and slightly edge up to 6.5 percent in
2020 and 2021, as inflation is expected to decline, and spending due to the upcoming midterm
elections is likely to boost private consumption growth. Despite softer GDP growth, revenue
reached record high level of 19.6%, helping contain the fiscal deficit. An intensified El Niño may
lead to food supply constraints, affecting the poor and vulnerable the most.
The Promise of Human Capital
The Philippines ranked 84th in the Human Capital Index, with a score of 0.55. This indicates that
an average Filipino child will be only 55% as productive as they could be in adulthood.
The Philippines has vastly expanded access to education, but student learning outcomes fall below
potential.
Nutrition is the weakest link of human capital for the Philippines. 1 in 3 Filipino children under
age 5 is stunted, a key marker of malnutrition.
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The Philippines can achieve its full potential by boosting human capital:
Making learning the central objective of the education system
Tackle malnutrition of women and young children
Implement the Universal Health Coverage to boost health access and quality
THE DUTERTE GOVERNMENT’S PRIORITIES AND POLICIES
Upon assuming office on June 30, 2016, Duterte assembled an eclectic cabinet that included law
school classmates, long-time associates from Davao, ex-military officers, business leaders, and
representatives of the communist left. His diverse coalition came together through personal
loyalty, regional affinity, and political opportunism. It included many political figures who had
been sidelined during the Aquino administration, most notably former president Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo and members of the Marcos, Estrada, and Villar families.
Now seventy-three years old, Duterte’s world view is heavily influenced by nationalist and leftist
thought dating from the 1960s and 1970s, as well as by his twenty-two years of experience as
mayor of Davao City. In Davao, he combined a hardline approach to law and order with socially
progressive and pro-business policies. As mayor he was both a paternalistic patron and a fearsome
boss whose orders had to be followed. As a result, he has little tolerance for scrutiny or challenges
to this authority. He sees the country as beset by existential threats of drugs, crime, and corruption.
As befits Philippine culture, his approach is highly personalistic: he presents himself as the only
leader strong and decisive enough to save the nation. As for his frequently crude and threatening
rhetoric, anthropologist Nicole Curato has called his approach “crass politics” that, though
objectionable to many, communicates multiple messages:
Duterte may be offending the norms of respectful communication when he prefaces his remarks
with “mother fucker,” but he brings to the surface the collective frustration many feel. He may not
offer the clearest policy, but he puts forward the sincerest discourse of sympathy. . .. Duterte’s
gutter language establishes the urgency of saving the republic. Including “kill” and “death” is
essential to the president’s vocabulary for the country is at war, and his politics of “I will” demands
quick, albeit painful, solutions.
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The Duterte government’s top priorities include combating illegal drugs and crime, promoting
rapid infrastructure development, sustaining economic growth and making it more inclusive,
enhancing peace and development in Mindanao, and reorienting the Philippines’ foreign relations.
To support these goals, the government has significantly increased spending on infrastructure,
raised the salaries of government employees, expanded existing social development programs,
revived the stalled peace process with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), entered into negotiations with the communist insurgents, and
established a closer relationship with China.
Space constraints do not permit a full discussion of the government’s domestic and foreign
policies. Instead, the following sections discuss three policy areas that offer insights into the
Duterte administration—economic policymaking, peace and development in Mindanao, and
constitutional change—and discuss in greater detail the ongoing war on drugs.
Economic policies and performance. As a candidate, Duterte showed little interest in economic
policy issues. To reassure nervous domestic and foreign businesses, his campaign developed a ten-
point economic agenda that largely continued the Aquino government’s economic policies. Since
taking office, Duterte’s two principal economic priorities have been to accelerate economic growth
and make it more inclusive, and to significantly increase spending on much-needed infrastructure.
Key features of the government’s approach to the economy include running a larger deficit,
adopting a more statist approach to infrastructure development, and continuing increases in social
spending.
In 2017, GDP growth was 6.7 percent, and it is projected to be about 6.5 percent in 2018. The
government, under its “Build Build Build” program, has significantly increased spending on
infrastructure and has ambitious plans to build new rail lines, a subway, highways, and bridges in
the coming years.12 To finance spending on infrastructure and social services, the government has
embarked on a multiphase tax reform program. The first package of reforms was signed into law
in December 2017; the second and more controversial package is with Congress. Inflation has been
increasing, averaging 4.8 percent for January to August and reaching a nine-year high of 6.7
percent in September and October.13 Higher oil and food prices, excise taxes associated with tax
reform, and the weak peso have all fueled inflation.
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Duterte and Mindanao. Duterte is the first president from the southern island of Mindanao, and his
election was a significant political milestone for the Philippines. Home to about 25 percent of the
nation’s population, Mindanao is a promising but vexing mix of economic opportunity and
underdevelopment, ethnic and religious diversity, and multiple forms of armed conflict. Under
Duterte, progress on the political and security front has been mixed. This is in large measure due
to the May 2017 occupation of Marawi City, in Lanao del Sur province, by Islamist extremists
affiliated with the self-proclaimed Islamic State. It took five months of combat operations for the
Philippine military to regain control over the extensively damaged city. In response to the Marawi
crisis Duterte imposed island-wide martial law, which remains in effect. The rehabilitation of the
city is expected to cost more than $1 billion.
But before Marawi exploded, the Duterte government had done little either to revive the stalled
effort to pass legislation providing for greater Muslim autonomy or to adopt federalism, an
approach that many in Mindanao consider important for the island’s future. The government had
entered into a series of on-again, off-again talks with the communist insurgency, which still has a
significant armed presence in eastern Mindanao. Currently, the process has stalled and appears
unlikely to produce a breakthrough.
The most significant accomplishment pertaining to Mindanao was the passage of the Bangsamoro
Organic Law (BOL) in July 2018. The BOL translates into law many of the provisions included in
the 2014 peace agreement between the Aquino government and the MILF. Under the BOL, a new
political entity, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, would replace the
current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The BOL is an important step forward, but
multiple challenges remain, including possible objections to its constitutionality, a forthcoming
plebiscite scheduled for late January and early February 2019, and the actual establishment of the
new autonomous entity.
The fading prospects for constitutional change. As a candidate, Duterte ran against the widely
perceived political and economic dominance of “imperial Manila” and promised to change the
Philippines into a federal state. This platform was not unprecedented: since 1992, there have been
recurring initiatives for charter change (or “Cha-Cha,” in the colloquial expression), and all of
them have failed. Duterte’s popularity and political dominance seemed to enhance the prospects
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for success this time. But during most of his first two years in office, he showed limited interest in
this complex and contentious issue of federalism. He appointed a twenty-two-member
Constitutional Commission, and received its proposed draft constitution in early July 2018. The
commission suggested eighteen federated regions and kept the directly elected presidency. Cha-
Cha is now in the hands of the Congress. If both houses agree to change the constitution, the
revised charter will be subject to a national plebiscite.
Over the past year, opposition to both the substance and process of Cha-Cha has grown. Senators
are elected in a nationwide constituency, so many of them see federalism as a threat to their
political influence and ambitions. Others criticize the process for being tightly controlled and
nonparticipatory. Several of Duterte’s own economic managers have raised concerns about the
economic costs and uncertainties that would accompany such a fundamental change. A recent
Pulse Asia survey indicated that most Filipinos have little knowledge of the 1987 constitution and
66 percent are against changing it. The same survey also found that 69 percent have little or no
knowledge of federalism and only 28 percent favored changing to a federal system.
As of December 2018 it appears unlikely that Cha-Cha will happen before the May 2019 midterm
elections. The outcome of these elections—and particularly, the future composition of the
Senate—may determine whether Cha-Cha will be revived in the next legislative term.
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History of the Myanmar

The Union of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is the largest nation in mainland Southeast
Asia. With a territory of 262,000 square miles and a population of approximately 50 million
people, it is located between the two most populous nations in the world—China and India.
Myanmar's society and culture have been greatly influenced by China and India. As an independent
nation since January 1948, Myanmar has been passing through various military rules and a series
of democratization movements. Its education system, as is the case in other Buddhist countries in
Southeast Asia, is based on the model of rural monasteries where the Sayadaws (abbots) teach the
basic three Rs, as well as handicrafts, to people of all ages. A fascinating, longtime continuity of
monastic learning and modern education makes Myanmar one of the most literate countries in the
region. With an approximately 80 percent literacy rate, Myanmar, despite many militaristically
created setbacks, rightfully claims to be an educational leader among many economically
disadvantaged Third World countries.
Myanmar has been an active partner in the UNESCO-led movement of "Education for All," known
as EFA2000. Education in Myanmar (then Burma) until 1948 was colonial, widely criticized by
the leaders of independence movement. The Education Reconstruction Committee Report of 1947
included a wide array of school reforms such as bilingual curricula, vocational training, and health
education. During the 1948-1962 post-independence period, the government of Burma announced
a statement of educational policy that included free education in state schools; the use of Burmese
as a medium of instruction while allowing English at the college level; and the creation of new
textbooks that highlighted the spirit of nationalism.
Under military rule (1962-1988) the Burmese educational system became highly centralized.
General Ne Win's Government used the schools as a tool of political indoctrination. While the
military rulers emphasized science and technology, school and college curricula were controlled
and teachers were not able to teach in a free atmosphere. Once an economically as well as
educationally leading country in South East Asia, Burma was granted a status of "Least Developed
Country" by the United Nations in 1987. In 1989 Burma adopted a nationalistic new name,
Myanmar. Finally, during 1988-2000, known as a period of "democratization under the military
control," the educational system in Myanmar has remained chaotic. In the first free, multiparty
elections, Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi's party won a decisive victory, but the Military refused to give
up its authority. Ms. Kyi, a highly popular, democratic leader was held under house arrest.
Numerous students and teachers who led the democratization movement were silenced or jailed,
and many colleges and universities were periodically shut down.
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Population in the Myanmar

Myanmar is a sovereign state in Southeast Asia. It is the 24th most crowded nation on the planet,
and in terms of area, it is the 40th biggest nation. The capital city is Naypyidaw, while the biggest
city is Yangon. It has been a member of the ASEAN since 1997. In terms of history, Konbaung
Dynasty in the middle of the 19th century controlled over a territory that comprised of Myanmar
and also current Indian states of Manipur and Assam too.
For the maximum time of its independent years, Myanmar as a country has seen widespread ethnic
clashes and its ethnic groups have been associated with one of the world’s longest-running
continuous civil wars. Most of the clothes made in Myanmar are exported to numerous countries
in the form of India, Nepal and other neighboring countries.
POPULATION OF MYANMAR IN 2019:
To find out the population of Myanmar in 2019, the population of the last 5 years has to be checked.
They are as follows.
2014 – 53.62 Million
2015 – 53.89 Million
2016 – 54.36 Million
2017 – 54.672 Million
2018 – 54.9544 Million
The population of Myanmar in 2019 can be known after checking the population from the last 5
years. It is noticed that the population in the last 5 years has gone up by 1.3344 Million. Also, each
year the population increases by 0.26688 Million as per aggregate. Hence, the population of
Myanmar in 2019 is expected to be 54.9544 Million + 0.26688 Million = 55.22128 Million.
Therefore, the population of Myanmar in 2019 as per estimates is 55.22128 Million.
Myanmar Population 2019 – 55.22128 Million (estimated).
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DEMOGRAPHY OF MYANMAR:
Myanmar is technically diverse with about 135 ethnic groups living here. The Bamar individuals
consist of roughly 70% of the population, Chinese at 3%, Kayin 7%, and Rakhine at about 4%.
Regarding religion, the country is separated into a population of Buddhist at 88%, Christianity 6%,
Muslims 4.5%, Hindu 0.5%, and others 0.1%. The official language spoken in Myanmar is
Burmese and with some ethnic groups having their own languages.
POPULATION DENSITY AND GROWTH OF MYANMAR:
The population density of Myanmar is 76 people per square kilometer. The country as of now is
experiencing low population growth. One of the main reasons for this is that the locals of the
country are migrating to other neighboring countries and in return, less number of people is coming
over here to settle. Also, it has serious issues regarding its aging population and it needs to be
sorted out.
There have been a good number of refugees from neighboring countries that have subtly moved in
here but the higher class people are somehow relocating to other countries. However, it is estimated
that the population growth rate of Myanmar will go up in the coming years as things might change
in its favor with more number of people coming over here with more job opportunities.
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The Culture of the Myanmar
The water festival dates back centuries to the early Hindus in modern day Myanmar. Early
traditions were modified with passing generations, which caused the event to evolve and become
characteristic of Burma today. Experts believe the Kingdom of Bagan were the first Burmese to
adopt this tradition about 800 years ago in the 13th century.
According to local mythology, the head of Arsi, the King of Brahmas, was replaced with one from
an elephant. This created the Hindu deity Ganesha. Water was said to evaporate when it came into
contact with Ganesha’s head and this terrified the worshippers. After all, he could easily destroy
large parts of the world by making the water disappear. So, to keep his power in check, the head
was moved to a different princess each year.
The roots of the modern day water festival in Myanmar celebrates the head getting transferred to
a new princess and thus preventing the destruction of the world.
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The styles of architecture are a major part of Myanmar traditional culture. You can see this in the
design of pagodas and temples. Most styles that you see today have their roots in the adoption of
Theravada Buddhism as the major religion in the 11th century. In fact, the Kingdom of Pagan
commissioned the construction of thousands of religious buildings and temples of varying sizes in
the relatively small area of modern Bagan. You can also see the exquisite carvings in the wooden
monasteries, which is very typical of Burma. Traditional architecture has strong religious
undertones. Another characteristic is the use of gold plating. Even in the most remote places where
a stupa proudly ascends into the sky, you’ll see its exterior surface covered in gold plating. The
Hti, or the upside down umbrella on the top of a stupa, is another traditional architectural
characteristic of Myanmar. This is said to be one of the most important parts of the pagoda itself
and is usually decorated with diamonds and precious stones. A 75-carat diamond sits happily on
the top of the Hti on the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. The British colonial buildings in Yangon
also deserve to be mentioned, too. Under the British rule, a number of buildings were built with
styles of architecture typical of their empire. The decades of restrictive military rule practically
halted development of the former capital. Many buildings remain intact making it the largest
collection of colonial buildings in Southeast Asia. The arts in Myanmar are also strongly aligned
with their conservative Buddhist way of life. Paintings and sculptures showing the life and
teachings of Gautama are common, especially in the ancient temples of Bagan.
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The Political Condition in the Myanmar
Myanmar, formerly called Burma, was a monarchy which was ruled by various dynasties prior to
the 19th century. The British colonized Burma (Myanmar) in the late 19th century, and it was part
of British India until 1937.
Burma (Myanmar) was ruled as a British colony from 1824 until 1948. While the Bamar heartland
was directly administered, first as a part of India and then, from 1937, as British Burma, ethnic
regions outside the heartland were allowed some measure of self-rule along the lines of the
Princely States of India. This led to split loyalties among the various ethnic groups to outside
powers in Burma either to the British or Japanese.The dominant ethnic group in Burma are the
Bamar, who make up approximately sixty-eight percent of the population. During World War II,
many members of the Bamar ethnic group volunteered to fight alongside the Japanese in hopes of
overthrowing the occupying British forces.
Meanwhile, many other ethnic groups supported the Allied forces in combating the Japanese and
Burman forces. This conflict would come to be very significant in the aftermath of World War
Two when Burma was granted its independence from Great Britain in 1948. By granting
independence to Burma, the British government gave the new ruler, Aung San, control over areas
that were not traditionally controlled by the Bamar. This conglomeration of formerly British-
owned land created a state that is home to over twenty distinct minority ethnic groups.
From the time of the signing of the Burmese Constitution in 1948, ethnic minorities have been
denied Constitutional rights, access to land that was traditionally controlled by their people and
participation in the government. The various ethnic minority groups have been consistently
oppressed by the dominant Burman majority and have also suffered at the hands of warlords and
regional ethnic alliances. Religion also plays a role in the ethnic conflicts that have taken place.
Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Buddhists all live in Burma. These religious differences have led
to several incidents that have affected hundreds of thousands of citizens that live in Burma.
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The SPDC had been responsible for the displacement of several hundred thousand citizens, both
inside and outside of Burma. The Karen, Karenni, and Mon ethnic groups have been forced to seek
asylum in neighbouring Thailand, where they are also abused by an unfriendly and unsympathetic
government. These groups are perhaps more fortunate than the Wa and Shan ethnic groups who
have become Internally Displaced Peoples in their own state since being removed from lands by
the military junta in 2000. There are reportedly 600,000 of these Internally Displaced Peoples
living in Burma today.
Many are trying to escape forced labour in the military or for one of the many state-sponsored drug
cartels. This displacement of peoples has led to both human rights violations as well as the
exploitation of minority ethnic groups at the hands of the dominant Burman group. The primary
actors in these ethnic struggles include but are not limited to the Government of Burma (junta), the
Karen National Union and the Mong Tai Army.
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The Latest Economic Condition in the Myanmar
Escalating conflict in Rakhine State has added to the complexity of issues impacting Myanmar,
where almost one-third of the country is conflict-affected. Populations in other parts of the
country– such as Kachin, Kayah, Kayin and Shan – are experiencing, or are prone to, humanitarian
crisis. The Rakhine crisis alone has led to more than 700,000 people fleeing into Bangladesh, with
around 150,000 internally displaced people remaining in Rakhine.
As a response to the Rakhine crisis, the World Bank Group has reviewed its engagement in
Myanmar to focus on social inclusion in conflict-affected areas in support of the country’s historic
political and economic transition.
With an emphasis on the importance of achieving peace and security as a foundation for inclusive
and sustainable development for all communities in Myanmar, the Bank continues to provide
technical and financial support, especially through high-impact projects. These focus on education,
health services, access to electricity and other essential services, response to natural disasters, and
inclusion of all ethnic groups and religions, in Rakhine State and other conflict-affected areas in
the country.
Myanmar is a lower-middle income economy with a GNI per capita of US$1,210 in 2017. Strong
economic growth translated into a reduction in poverty from 48 to 32 percent between 2005 and
2015. However, stark variations in the overall degree and types of disadvantages among states and
regions in Myanmar remain, according to the Multidimensional Welfare in Myanmar report, which
constructed a multidimensional index of disadvantage consisting of 14 non-monetary indicators
related to education, employment, health, water and sanitation, housing and assets. Overall, rural
populations are more than twice as likely as urban populations to experience multiple
disadvantages. Households in Rakhine, Ayeyarwady and Kayin are much more likely than in other
states and regions to suffer from severe multiple disadvantages. Sixty percent of households in
Rakhine and 36 percent in Kayin are disadvantaged in at least five different areas, and Rakhine
State is by far the most disadvantaged state or region.
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Economic growth remains strong by regional and global standards but is slowing. Myanmar’s
economy grew at 6.8 percent in 2017/18, driven by strong performance in domestic trade and
telecommunications, but offset by slowing growth in manufacturing, construction and transport
sectors. Real GDP growth is projected to moderate to 6.2 percent in 2018/19.
The medium-term macroeconomic outlook nevertheless remains positive. Economic growth is set
to recover to 6.6 percent by 2020/21, driven by an expected pickup in foreign and domestic
investment responding to recent government policy measures. Building on the continuing
implementation of the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan, the government’s policy intent
was reflected in recent reforms including implementation of the new Myanmar Companies Law,
opening of the insurance sector and wholesale and retail markets to foreign players, services sector
liberalization, and loosening restrictions on foreign bank lending.
Myanmar is one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, exposed to multiple hazards,
including floods, cyclones, earthquakes, landslides and droughts. Along with Puerto Rico and
Honduras, Myanmar is one of the countries most affected by climate change in the last 20 years,
ranking third out of 184 countries in the 2019 Global Climate Risk Index and 12th out of 191
countries on the INFORM Index for Risk Management.
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The Plan of the Government in Terms of the Economy

Myanmar’s Economic Policy Priorities
Myanmar policymakers can take a leaf from the book of its neighbors and focus on a few critical
policies needed to kickstart growth and trigger the same virtuous circle of growth-savings-growth
that Asia’s successful globalizers have enjoyed. Myanmar’s location is already ideal. Now it must
leverage that location by opening up to trade, maintaining economic stability, adopting “best fit”
not “best practice” policies, and supporting manufacturing. These are the lessons from successfully
developing Asian countries that can serve Myanmar well. The government’s first and foremost
priority will be to encourage trade and domestic competition. This will stimulate savings and
increase the level and efficiency of investment. The best way to do this is not only to remove as
many impediments to trade and private investment as possible (without jeopardizing other
objectives such as environmental protection) but also to facilitate trade and investment by
constantly devising new ways to reduce the cost of business regulations, such as the time it takes
to clear goods through customs, start a business, get a construction permit, or register property.
Open the economy to international trade and foreign investment.
The government should lower barriers to trade by eliminating import licensing and converting
import bans and quantitative restrictions into low or zero tariffs.
Promote competition in domestic markets.
To encourage the Burmese to start private businesses, investment licenses should be eliminated
except in industries producing armaments, toxic products, and similar potentially harmful
materials. The government should engage in open, regular, and candid communication with the
private sector to help identify policy and public investment priorities.
Maintain macroeconomic stability with sound public finances and well capitalized and
prudently managed banks.
Generating additional government revenue is necessary, while public expenditures must focus on
high-priority investments in energy, roads, health, and education. Banks should be given the
freedom to make lending decisions on a commercial basis, but at the same time the state must
ensure bank balance sheets are sound and portfolio risks are kept within strict limits.
Manage natural resource development cautiously.
Natural resources should be developed in a way that supports long-term sustainable growth.
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The Current News in the Country in terms of Economy,

Politics or Government and its People
INVESTING IN MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS, SUPPORTING LOCAL
SMALLHOLDER FARMERS
Myanmar - 30 January 2018
A unique partnership was created between Cordaid Investments (impact-first investor), The
Livelihoods and Food Security Trust – LIFT (donor) and TCX (private sector), in which financial
security was combined with social impact in Myanmar. As a result, Cordaid Investments
committed 10 million € in loans to develop and strengthen the Myanmar microfinance sector. In
2017, we thus reached almost 59.000 micro-entrepreneurs, including many smallholder farmers.
The collaboration between Cordaid Investments and LIFT started in 2016. Back then, Cordaid
Investments was looking to start operations in Myanmar. In this country, the microfinance market
is underdeveloped and the adult population uses the informal sector to access finance.
The majority of potential clients for microfinance institutions live in rural areas. But without
funding, the MFIs cannot expand to rural areas. In 2012, it was estimated that the demand for
microcredit was nearly a billion dollars.
MAKING INVESTMENTS, DESPITE THE RISKS
Cordaid Investments made an analysis of the country and identified several risks. The most
important ones were political, regulatory and financial. Despite these risks, Cordaid Investments
– as impact investor that works towards financial inclusion and fighting poverty in fragile and
conflict-affected states – decided to make the first investments. We believe they can make a
difference in one of the poorest countries in South and South East Asia.
PROVIDING FUNDS, JUST IN TIME FOR THE PLANTING SEASON
As Cordaid Investments is in a better position to manage currency risks than our investees, we
make our investments in local currency whenever possible. In that sense, Myanmar represented a
big challenge for us. Not only the expected devaluation of the Myanmar Kyat was high but also
the government imposed a cap on the interest rate that foreign investors could charge.
This innovative blending solution took a lot of creativity and collaboration from the three parties
involved.
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Hedging was not an option because it would have outpriced us. Due to all these factors we
experienced losses in our first investment in Myanmar. On the positive side, with our investment,
our partner could provide the funding to the small farmers just in time for the planting season.
SEEKING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
We wanted to keep supporting the microfinance sector in Myanmar, but incurring losses was not
sustainable. After looking for different options and long discussions, we partnered with LIFT, a
donor consortium that aims to improve the lives of rural people in Myanmar, and TCX, that started
to provide hedging against the Myanmar Kyat volatility.
This innovative blending solution took a lot of creativity and collaboration from the three parties
involved. LIFT contributed with grants to cover not only the currency risk but also to provide
capacity building to the MFIs. TCX provided the expertise for the hedge. As a result, Cordaid
Investments disbursed €10 million in loans between end 2016 and mid2017 to support 4 MFIs. In
this way, we reached 58,814 micro-entrepreneurs in 2017, including many thousand smallholder
farmers.
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF MYANMAR
Myanmar - 24 April 2019
Natural beauty and cultural treasures have been attracting visitors from all over the world to
Myanmar in recent years. Yet a large number of people there still struggle with major challenges
due to conflict, natural disasters and poverty. Cordaid supports microfinance institutions in
Myanmar and helps thousands of underserved rural families survive and create a better future.
Proximity Finance
To break this cycle of poverty, aid organizations decided to step up. In 2004, Proximity Designs
was launched with a commitment to creating a social business for Myanmar’s underserved rural
families. After the destruction of Nargis, they established a new branch to provide microloans:
Proximity Finance. Cordaid supports farmers in Myanmar through Proximity Finance and other
microfinance institutions. With loans of between US $ 200 and $ 600 per crop cycle, farmers can
purchase important items such as seeds and equipment, as well as cover other costs such as medical
bill or school supplies for the children.
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REFERENCES
https://psa.gov.ph/content/highlights-philippine-population-2015-census-population
https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/south-and-southeast-
asia/philippines/history-and-culture
https://business.inquirer.net/274516/capital-economics-ph-to-remain-among-fastest-
growing-economies-in-asia
file:///C:/Users/rose%20ann/Desktop/2019-National-Priority-Plan-for-Posting.pdf
https://carnegieendowment.org/2019/01/10/philippine-politics-under-duterte-midterm-
assessment-pub-78091
https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/philippines/publication/philippines-economic-
update-april-2019-safeguarding-stability-investing-in-the-filipino
https://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/1036/Myanmar-HISTORY-
BACKGROUND.html
https://populationof2019.com/population-of-myanmar-2019.html
https://12go.asia/en/myanmar/culture-and-tradition
https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/myanmar/overview#1
https://carnegieendowment.org/files/myanmar_economy.pdf
https://www.cordaid.org/en/news/investing-in-the-future-of-myanmar/
32

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Republic of the Philippines

Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology

PHILIPPINES AND MYANMAR

History of the Philippines ........................................................................................4

Population in the Philippines ..................................................................................6

The Culture in the Philippines ................................................................................8

The Political Condition in the Philippines .............................................................9

The Latest Economic Condition in the Philippines ............................................10

The Plan of the Government in Terms of our Economy ....................................12

The Current News in the Country in terms of Economy, Politics or Government

History of the Myanmar ........................................................................................20

Population in the Myanmar ..................................................................................21

The Culture of the Myanmar ................................................................................23

The Political Condition in the Myanmar .............................................................25

The Latest Economic Condition in the Myanmar ..............................................27

The Plan of the Government in Terms of the Economy.....................................29

The Current News in the Country in terms of Economy, Politics or Government

Flag of Two Countries

History of the Philippines

Population in the Philippines

Census Year Census Reference Date Population

The Culture in the Philippines

The Political Condition in the Philippines

The Latest Economic Condition in the Philippines

The Plan of the Government in Terms of our Economy

2019 National Priority Plan

Program/Project/Activity Brief Description Implementing

Malnutrition Reduction The MRP is an expansion of the

Communicate Science for the

will be provided to local dairy Dairy Authority

The Current News in the Country in terms of Economy, Politics or

Recent Economic and Policy Developments

Outlook and Risks

The Promise of Human Capital

Making learning the central objective of the education system

Tackle malnutrition of women and young children

THE DUTERTE GOVERNMENT’S PRIORITIES AND POLICIES

History of the Myanmar

Population in the Myanmar

POPULATION OF MYANMAR IN 2019:

2014 – 53.62 Million

2015 – 53.89 Million

2016 – 54.36 Million

2017 – 54.672 Million

2018 – 54.9544 Million

Myanmar Population 2019 – 55.22128 Million (estimated).

POPULATION DENSITY AND GROWTH OF MYANMAR:

The Culture of the Myanmar

The Political Condition in the Myanmar

The Latest Economic Condition in the Myanmar

The Plan of the Government in Terms of the Economy

Open the economy to international trade and foreign investment.

Promote competition in domestic markets.

Manage natural resource development cautiously.

The Current News in the Country in terms of Economy,

Myanmar - 30 January 2018

MAKING INVESTMENTS, DESPITE THE RISKS

PROVIDING FUNDS, JUST IN TIME FOR THE PLANTING SEASON

SEEKING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF MYANMAR

Myanmar - 24 April 2019

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