Adopting to the Demands of International Competition
Jan.-Feb. 2012 (843 KB)

The adoption of competition systems implies the consolidation of market principles, involving the transition from state ownership, vertically integrated monopolies and strong state intervention to a situation in which the interaction of economic agents can take place more freely.

Expanding the Philippine Oil Pipelines
Nov.-Dec. 2011 (1.9 MB)

The issue of expanding the Philippine oil pipeline system has caught the attention of the legislature with the filing of SBN-28631. The bill rationalizes that oil pipelines are more advantageous vis-à-vis using barges, lorries and trucks because the former are faster, steady, efficient, safe and cost effective modes of transport; they are not affected by weather disturbances such as typhoon, flooding and other tidal changes; they help reduce traffic congestion; there is lower risk of product contamination; and they have a lower carbon footprint.

Understanding Transshipment
October 2011 (634 KB)

Definition of transshipment

Transshipment is defined as the transfer of a shipment from one carrier or vessel to another while in transit. Transshipments are usually made:

1. when there is no direct air, land, or sea link between consignor’s and consignee’s countries,
2. where the intended port of entry is blocked, or
3. when the importer wants to hide the identity of the port or country of origin.

Revisiting the Agriculture Sector: Countdown to 2012
Sept - Oct 2011 (799 KB)

Introduction

Agriculture remains the primary source of income for the rural folks in the Philippines. However, the government’s policies on agriculture are shaped and largely influenced by the forces of globalization, international institutions such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Asian Development Bank (ADB), as well as the realities of our domestic economy and politics.

Strengthening Banking Regulation: Amending the BSP Charter
December 2011 (253KB)

As the central monetary authority of the country, the BSP is mandated to provide policy directions in areas concerning money, banking and credit.

With the increasing liberalization of the financial market, conglomeration of financial institutions, and advancements in technology, the BSP, as with most central banks in the world, faces increased level of risks.

Turning the Tide: Improving Water Resource Management in the Philippines
August 2011 (204KB)

Water is arguably the most important natural resource and because it is scarce, its optimal usage and proper management must be ensured.

K to 12: The Key to Quality Education?
June 2011 (252KB)

The continuous deterioration of the quality of education in the Philippines has prompted the DepEd to push for the implementation of the K to 12 program, which entails the institutionalization of kindergarten and the addition of two more years of high school in the basic education cycle. The proposal has spurred a heated debate on whether it could lead to improvements or just exacerbate the present state of education in the country.

Improving inclusiveness of growth through CCTs
March 2011 (312KB)

Conquering poverty has been the fundamental development goal of every administration in the country. However, despite the government’s various poverty reduction programs, the increase in the number of poor remains unabated.

Subsidizing the National Food Authority: Is It a Good Policy?
December 2010 (235KB)

The NFA’s twin mandate of price stabilization and food security has cost the government billions of pesos in losses over the past few decades. As such, there is a need to reexamine the NFA to determine whether the benefits gained from its continued operation justifies the considerable funding it receives from the national government.

Issues and Challenges with the Philippines’ Public Corporate Sector
August 2010 (188KB)

As the world grapples with the effects of climate change, there is a pressing need for policymakers to understand its implications and identify the appropriate policy responses that will minimize these effects

Economic Report
October 2011 (245KB)

The Aquino government has set an aspirational gross domestic (GDP) growth target of 7 percent to 8 percent for 2011 up to 2016. In considering the national budget though, it assumed a more conservative growth of 5 percent to 6 percent for 2011 and 5.5 to 6.5 percent for 2012.

Lessons learned in 2009, imperatives for 2010
March 2010 (315KB)

As with most economies around the world, the year 2009 proved to be a tough year for the Philippines, which registered its lowest GDP in 11 years. While there are signs of small improvements, the growth figures also suggest some fragility. Mindful that recovery is in sight, policymakers must give careful consideration to exit strategies and greater vigilance must be observed for some of the downside risks.

MIDYEAR ECONOMIC REPORT: Is there room for optimism in 2009?
September 2009 (253KB)

While the Philippines is said to be weathering the crisis better than its more export dependent neighbors, and signs of recovery is emerging in global markets, the country’s economic managers cannot be complacent. Unless the foreseeable upturn in global demand is realized, conditions are expected to remain tough. The biggest challenge would be preserving the growth momentum achieved in recent years, putting the fiscal house in order and protecting the country’s most vulnerable.

Riding Through the Crisis in 2008 Bumpier Road Ahead in 2009
February 2009 (521KB)

For the Philippines and the rest of the world, 2008 has been a very difficult year. Soaring commodity and fuel prices and the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression has left world markets reeling. Prospects for 2009 remain bleak, with the country’s overseas employment sector and export industries seen as the most vulnerable. Whether the Philippines will remain resilient or not depends critically on strong policy actions and how well the government executes its fiscal stimulus plan.

1st Semester figures herald challenging times in 2008
September 2008 (364KB)

After capping the year 2007 with its highest growth in the last 30 years, the domestic economy bowed to external pressures and soaring food and fuel prices in the first half of 2008. The deceleration will likely continue for the rest of the year as risk aversion in the global financial markets remain.

Removing Regional Disparity in Infrastructure Development - A Probe into the Proposed 2008 Budget
November 2007 (713KB)

The proposed 2008 budget is marked by a significant increase in real infrastructure spending as a percentage of the national government budget, from 8.41 percent in 2007 to 9.45 percent in 2008. This demonstrates the government’s strong commitment to improve...

Electoral System, Parties and Bureaucracy:
The Missing Links in the Charter Change Debate
September 2006 (227KB)

Efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution have distinctively marked the national agenda since the early 90s. Years of political instability and economic downturns have prompted key sectors of society, and the constituency it has spawned...

The AFP Pension System
January 2012 (553KB)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines Retirement and Separation Benefits System (AFP-RSBS) was established on December 30, 1973 by virtue of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 361, as amended by PD 1656, to provide retirement and separation benefits to the military members of the AFP.

BPO Industry
January 2010 (267KB)

One of the significant economic developments of the past decade has been the dramatic growth in the global demand for outsourcing and offshoring in the services sector. The Philippines has emerged as one of the major players in business process outsourcing...

PhilHealth
November 2009 (250KB)

The National Health Insurance Act of 1995 (RA No. 7875) institutionalized social health insurance in the country through the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) or PhilHealth. The NHIP aims to reduce out‐of‐pocket...

The 2009 Proposed Budget
September 2008 (217KB)

The President has recently submitted to Congress her proposed 1.415-trillion budget for 2009. With the theme “Standing Firm in the Midst of Economic Challenges”, it is touted as the government’s strategy to shield the economy...

 

PAVING THE ROAD TO INCLUSIVE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
A Proposed Legislative Agenda for the 15th Congress 
December 2010 (1.5MB)

While the 14th Congress has made significant strides in pursing reforms and enacting laws that will further boost economic growth and improve the quality of life of Filipinos, it cannot be denied that much more needs to be done.

Sustaining the momentum, Making Growth Work for the poor
December 2007 (2.2MB)

This report provides an update of the Five Pillars of Growth: An Economic and Social Development Framework, released by the Senate Economic Planning Office (SEPO) in 2004. It presents a picture of the Philippine economy...

A Profile of Selected Philippine
Government Owned and Controlled Corporations
May 2007 (1.6MB)

The role and impact of the government corporate sector on the fiscal position of the government and the economy continue to be significant to this day. Despite reforms undertaken in the past, according to the Commission on Audit...

Five Pillars of Growth:
An Economic and Social Development Framework
(360KB)

The paper, prepared by the Senate Economic Planning Office as reference to the Senate Legislative Agenda, presents the major results of a short-term research project identifying areas of reforms for sustained economic growth and poverty alleviation...