People, Planet and Profits: The pillars of sustainable development

The 'flood-control issues' are just the tip of an iceberg! Sustainable Development and Inclusive Growth must be on the agenda of Government by effectively addressing the three main pillars: economic, environmental, and social. These three pillars are informally referred to as people, planet, and profits.

- Henry J. Schumacher

It is essential to understand that the implementation of sustainable development is not limited to government. Inclusive growth must be a joint commitment of business, civil society, international and local donor organizations, and of course the national and local governments. It must be free from corruption!

But let's go one step further: the successful implementation of the three pillars - people, planet, profits - also hinges on communities or societies that want to pursue sustainability.

The following six principles of sustainability can help a community ensure that its social, economic, and environmental systems are well integrated and will endure:

1. Maintain and, if possible, enhance, its resident's quality of life - Quality of life or livability differs from community to community. It has many components: income, education, health care, housing, employment, legal rights on the one hand; exposure to crime, pollution, disease, disaster, and other risks on the other. Each locality must define and plan for the quality of life it wants and believes it can achieve, for now and for future generations. And this applies to rural and urban communities. In addition to reducing poverty, it is also important to amplify the resilience of Filipinos. Bringing poor people just above the poverty line may not be enough if they can easily be pushed back below it if another crisis hits.