The Framework
Population is the most basic element of every context: the way any system works is first determined by how many elements it has. The way industry, society, economy, education and many other cultural fields develop over time has been reliant on the population of the time. All of these fields affect each other too, creating a complex web of interrelated factors that have population and development (popdev) at its core. Societal concerns like poverty, gender issues, environmental management and much more all rely heavily on how the population has developed up to the present day.
The Mulat Pinoy project is a joint effort of the Philippine Center for Population and Development and the Probe Foundation to 1) bring about a broader awareness of population and development issues; and 2) push for candidates to adopt and address popdev issues in their campaign platforms. The program is composed of complementary online and offline initiatives.
It is up to us, the present generation, to pave the way for a better, brighter future for our nation. Being aware is just the first step. It is time to open our minds to new directions and resourceful solutions for our most pressing social problems. Mulat, Pinoy!
The Website (http://www.mulatpinoy.ph)
The Mulat Pinoy website is designed to be a centralized venue for coverage and commentary about popdev across various fields. Blog posts, news reports, forum discussions, videos and the like are compiled and presented here for ready public access.
The Mulat Pinoy website will change its theme monthly to cover a wide range of issues linking popdev to the environment, government resources, housing, food supply, education, gender, health and urbanization. A running discussion on poverty is present throughout all themes, as the causes (and solutions) to popdev and poverty are directly and intrinsically linked.
Mulat Pinoy does not subscribe to any particular political, social, and religious agenda. The project’s ultimate loyalty is to the truth and the desire for a better nation for everyone, and the site reflects this sensibility.
The Real World
Mulat Pinoy’s major offline initiative is the Kapihan series: coffeeshop discussions featuring at least one major electoral candidate and third-party individuals (from NGOs, etc) as dictated by the session topic. The sessions are designed to give candidates an opportunity to engage media practitioners, bloggers and the general public to present and explain their perspectives on popdev and the theme. Mulat Pinoy ‘Kapihans’ will be held from 2 to 4 pm at Bo’s Coffee, Ground floor, Glorietta 5, Makati City. Below the themes and dates for the upcoming sessions:
- January 16 – Population and environment
- January 23 – Government resources and population dynamics
- January 30 – Population and housing
- February 13 – Population and Food Supply
- February 27 – Population and education
- March 13 – Population and health
- March 27 – Urbanization/Migration
- April 10 – Mulat Pinoy Synthesis