Drugs and medicines account for about half of the total medical out-of-pocket expenses of households. This share of drugs to total medical expenses is much higher for the poor than the rich. Thus, affordability of medicines is an important issue in poverty reduction. Recent efforts to improve...

In an effort to complement the 2008 disability survey conducted in Metro Manila, the University of Tokyo and the Philippine Institute for Development Studies collaborated to undertake a similar study in a rural area. The survey was conducted in Rosario, Batangas in 2010, where 106 PWDs from 31...

Poverty incidence among population rose from 24.9 percent in 2003 to 26.4 percent in 2006 and then inched up further to 26.5 percent in 2009. Although this aggregate poverty rate shows only a few percentage points change from 2003 to 2009, this does not mean there are no movements in and out of...

To reduce the risks and vulnerability to sudden income shocks faced by households due to natural calamities, disability, illnesses and other causes, ensuring that social protection programs are designed in a relevant and effective manner is crucial. This study examines the coverage of several...

For many years, the Boracay island in the province of Aklan has been a favorite tourist destination in the country. The increasing influx of both international and local tourists, coupled with the improper management of wastes and poor implementation of environmental policies and guidelines, has...