CEDAW/C/PHI/4 English Page 5 15. A disturbing effect of armed conflicts is the increased traffic in loose firearms and the drift of some insurgent groups towards crime and terrorism. Likewise, the perceived inability of the State to enforce its laws has encouraged kidnapping for ransom and other related crimes. 16. To check corruption and show its resolve in seriously tracking down criminal elements, the Government has embarked on the Moral Recovery Program and has put in place mechanisms for a tighter and more efficient government. 3. The economic environment 17. The Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) "People Power" Revolution in 1986 ushered in the Aquino regime and along with it a promise for a new sense of order and priorities for the poor and made poverty alleviation one of its main thrusts/programmes. 18. Reforms instituted by President Ramos have ushered in an era of economic liberalization and the relative political stability has lured more foreign investors. Maintaining a favourable climate for foreign investors while keeping in check rising criminality and searching for a lasting peace to solve the country's insurgency problem have been major challenges to the Government. 19. In 1994, 35.7 per cent of Filipino families were estimated to live below the poverty threshold (placed at P 8,969.00 for a family of six). In 1991, the estimate was 39.2 per cent. The lack of distributive social justice or inequity in the access of productive resources, employment opportunities and basic services continue to be main reasons for poverty. 20. Between 1989 and 1993, the country suffered from negative economic growth but started to rebound with a 4.5 growth rate in 1994. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Philippine economy has to grow by an average of 8 to 10 per cent annually to generate enough jobs for labour entrants. 21. The poverty situation in the country has been exacerbated by several disasters and calamities. The eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991 continues to wreak havoc in central Luzon. The consequent floods caused by volcanic lava or "lahar" bury whole communities, resulting in massive homelessness and suffering. Women and children, in particular, are the worst victims of this catastrophe and until now families left homeless by the lahar flows are still waiting for a comprehensive programme that will successfully rehabilitate them. 22. The typhoons of record-breaking strength which the country experienced in 1995 devastated many provinces. The Government's calamity fund has been depleted and the work of facilitating the complete recovery of these provinces is far from over. These calamities caused a major setback to whatever economic gains the country was beginning to realize. /...