disparities between and among countries. While general trends and patterns can be established, comparisons of the degree and nature of specific country situations can vary significantly due to these.
Take the case of the Philippines. While poverty incidence has improved, the numbers of the poor are still a concern. But when comparing with other neighboring countries, the composition of the food threshold baskets varies in terms of their grain contents thus affecting the relative magnitudes. Urbanization has also increased considerably due to migration as well as reclassification of areas. Its urban employment situation while better than in the past continues to be addressed by the government. Again its employment rate should be compared with those of other countries with caution as the concepts suggested by the ILO are fully adopted by the statistical system. Based on the gender empowerment index, Filipino women place better than their counterparts in Southeast Asia. However, there are many more things to do to extend broad economic and political opportunities to women. One imperative is to provide statistical visibility to women's concerns such as violence against women, participation in economic development, and feminization of poverty.
The pursuit of sustainable development requires that the impact of social and economic plans, policies, and programs on the various population groups, women, poor, urban dwellers, unemployed-, be regularly monitored and assessed accordingly. The role of statistics in portraying similarities and disparities has increasingly become more crucial in the process of development and should be recognized and found worthy of support by governments in this region.
