Of rankings, ratings, ravings and rantings

Of late, the public has been subjected to a plethora of rankings and ratings about the country which triggered headlines, praises and brickbats.  The headlines in turn sparked debates, as well as ravings from those who were persuaded that all was well. There were  rantings from those who insisted that the country is facing serious challenges. What is the truth?

First, it started with the poverty statistics. The Philippine Statistics Authority announced that as of the first semester of 2013, poverty levels stood at 24.9%. PSA also announced that the 2012 numbers stood at 27.9%. PSA was careful to note that the basis for the 2012 numbers was the Family Income and Expenditures Survey (FIES) while the basis for the 2013 numbers was the Annual Poverty Indicators Survey (APIS). The FIES had always been the basis for poverty statistics until it was changed for the 2013 numbers.  This is the first time that APIS numbers are used.