| Development Perspectives |
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PhilNet-RDI’s vision flows from its analysis of the situation where poverty remains concentrated in the rural areas due to age-old government neglect of agriculture and the concentration of resources (land and other natural resources, finance and social services) in the hands of the few. The government has pursued a pattern of development that only ensured the continued siphoning of resources and wealth from the countryside, wide disparities in income, limited employment, backwardness and subsistence modes of production for majority of farmers, and degradation of the environment. This development path has spelled dismal quality of life for rural households. Here, women and children suffer the most. Meanwhile, government’s impact for global economic integration only promises to make much more severe the impact of such pattern of development. PhilNet-RDI believes that nothing less than all-sided development initiatives at the ground for rural development and democratization can reverse such pattern. Its overall framework for RDD is aimed at evolving a development strategy that strives to work towards the broadest possible participation and balanced development of the marginalized rural sectors. PhilNet-RDI’s framework is underpinned by the idea of sustainable development: development that meets the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Thus it takes heed of three key elements of sustainable development: 1) the integration of environmental considerations into economic development planning and implementation, 2) a commitment to social equity, and 3) reorientation to the term development to include the improvement of the people’s quality of life. In the end, PhilNet-RDI’s rural development framework addresses squarely the need to achieve transformation of society: a society that is just, sustainable and participatory; a society that will secure for its people meaningful democracy and development. This national framework provides a holistic and coordinated path to development alongside with other class, sectoral and people’s movement. This rural development framework does not intend to remain as a critique at the local and national levels, nor is it deemed a permanent alternative. It is a movement that is very determined to mainstream its alternative vision and plans at the overall struggle for social transformation. It presents a very serious challenge to the conventional rural development paradigm. |