According to the Dictionary of Economics, "poverty means the inability to secure the minimum consumption requirements for life, health and efficiency on account of insufficient income or property" (Dictionary of Economics, Kapur, Sudarshan). It's the incapacity of an individual to bear the expense of basic human needs to such as food, shelter, clothing, quality education, and health care. To be living in poverty is a dreadful condition to be in, for the individual will be lacking in important aspects needed for life. Poverty is not a new problem in the Philippines. In fact, it is considered one of the oldest problems ever to arise in the country. This problem creates a gap between the rich and the poor and this gap widens over the course of time. Poverty in the Philippines is caused by three deplorable major factors such as frailty in employment generation, government corruption, and repetitive shocks and exposure to natural calamities.
The rate of underemployment and unemployment in the Philippines has been high for many years. The data from the National Statistics Office illustrates that unemployment and underemployment levels in the Philippines stay high. "The unemployment estimate in the Philippines increase to 7.5 percent, while in April, underemployment estimate was at 19.2 percent. The overall number of underemployed individuals was estimated at 7.25 million, with over 80 percent of them working in the services sectors and agriculture" (National Statistics Office). Underemployment indicates workers who have a certain skill and outstanding talent, yet they are in a low paying job that does not demand those skills and talents. Or workers who are not able to work full-time jobs, but are only able to find part-time jobs. Karin Schelzig, author of Poverty In The Philippines Income, Assets, And Access, states, "too many people and less job opportunities make it hard for the people to meet their daily needs  (Schelzig 95-97). Wit...