THURSDAY / 8 FEBRUARY 2018

PIDS climbs a notch up in the world's
top think tanks index

The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) remains one of the best think tanks in the world. Based on the 2017 Global Go To Think Tank Index (GGTTI) Report, the PIDS has also climbed from its previous rank of 38th in 2016 to 37th in 2017 in the list of top 100 think tanks in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The report was released by the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program of the University of Pennsylvania. The GGTTI is a comprehensive ranking process that acknowledges the important contributions and emerging global trends of think tanks worldwide.

According to PIDS President Gilberto Llanto, this feat is a tacit recognition of the unwavering dedication and commitment of PIDS researchers and employees in their effort to produce high-quality policy studies that help decisionmakers and planners in crafting development policies, plans, and programs. READ MORE

DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH NEWS

DRN 2017 Vol. XXXV No. 4: PIDS Prods Government to Regulate Digital Economy
by PIDS Research Information Staff

The final issue of the Development Research News in 2017 zeroes in on the regulation of the digital economy in the Philippines. Specifically, its banner article highlights two related events spearheaded by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) to discuss the benefits and challenges of the digital technology and the relevance of regulation to unlock its potential in advancing public welfare in the country.

The issue also covers relevant concerns affecting trade within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, such as the slow pace of its negotiation process on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the rise of populism in the region. It also includes two articles urging the Philippine government to address the poor innovation performance in the country, especially in the business process outsourcing industry. Completing this issue is an article on the opening of another PIDS Corner in the Bicol region. Click here to download the newsletter.

February 13, 2018, 1:30–4:30PM
PIDS-CPBRD Forum on the Road to Federalism in the Philippines: Prospects, Issues, and Challenges
Venue: House of Representatives, Quezon City

February 21, 2018, 2–4PM
Economic Development Amid Geopolitical Risks: US and Chinese Grand Strategies, Asian Economic Development, and Philippine Scenarios
Venue: PIDS Conference Room, 18th Floor, Three Cyberpod Centris - North Tower, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City

March 2, 2018, 9AM–4PM
Ending Poverty in the Philippines: A High-Level Policy Dialogue on Meeting the 2030 Global Agenda to Leave No One Behind
Venue: PIDS Conference Room, 18th Floor, Three Cyberpod Centris - North Tower, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City

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CLICK HERE for the guidelines in the preparation of articles. Submissions and inquiries may be sent to PJD@mail.pids.gov.ph

PIDS to gov’t: Ease regulatory burdens in transport and logistics industry

The government must reduce regulatory burdens in the logistics industry to boost the country’s export competitiveness, according to a study published by state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).

Authored by PIDS Senior Research Fellow Ramonette Serafica and Consultants Lai-Lynn Barcenas, Glenda Reyes, and Jose Tongzon, the study aimed to examine the various regulatory requirements and legal obstacles in the distribution, multimodal transport, and logistics services in the country. READ MORE

Improving access and financial literacy are key to financial inclusion in PH—PIDS study

Improving financial literacy and broadening access to financial institutions like banks and insurance companies, especially in the rural areas, are key to achieving financial inclusion in the country.  
 
This was according to a study by state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies on factors affecting financial inclusion in the Philippines. The research showed that more educated individuals living in urban areas, wherein most financial institutions like banks are situated, are more likely to have savings and insurance than their less educated counterparts in the rural areas. READ MORE

Poor women in PH more susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases—PIDS study

Women living in poverty in the Philippines are more vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HIV/AIDS than those from rich households. This is according to a recent study released by state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).
 
Using data from the 2008 Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey administered by the then National Statistics Office, PIDS Research Fellow Michael Abrigo found that about 41 percent of poor females aged 15 to 24 years are at risk of getting infected with STDs. READ MORE

PH’s new industrial policy contributes to economic growth—PIDS study

The government’s shift to a new industrial policy has contributed to the continuous economic growth of the country, according to a study published by state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).  

Authors Maureen Ane Rosellon and Erlinda Medalla, PIDS research associate and senior research fellow, respectively, said the Philippines has maintained its 6–7 percent growth rate from 2012 to 2016, making it one of the fastest growing economies in Asia and in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Plus Three composed of China, Japan, and South Korea. READ MORE

PIDS Corner opens in Bicol for the second time

In line with its mandate to promote evidence-based studies and policymaking, state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) inaugurated its 25th PIDS Corner at the main library of the Sorsogon State College last December.

PIDS Vice President Marife Ballesteros, who delivered the remarks of bequest on behalf of PIDS President Gilberto Llanto, said this is the second PIDS Corner in the Bicol Region with the first one installed at Bicol University in Legazpi City in 2009. READ MORE

PIDS to gov’t: Review planning and programming systems for infra projects

As the Duterte administration’s flagship infrastructure program, Build Build Build, takes off, the government should improve its planning and programming systems, both at the national and agency levels.

In a recent study published by state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies, author Epictetus Patalinghug, citing World Bank's report, said the government needs to address the “particularly low efficiency rate of public transport spending and the high levels of corruption”. READ MORE

PIDS urges DSWD to improve documentation, upgrade IT systems to boost pro-poor programs

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) needs to improve the documentation and strengthen its information technology systems to further enhance the implementation of its pro-poor programs.

These were among the major findings of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies in its evaluation of the DSWD’s Convergence Strategy. The Convergence Strategy is a major undertaking of the agency to address poverty through the harmonized implementation of its three major programs: Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, and the Sustainable Livelihood Program. READ MORE

PIDS study notes slow decline of VAWC cases in PH

Cases of violence against women and children (VAWC) in the country show only a slight decrease in numbers despite the implementation of laws penalizing such offense, according to a recent study of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies.
 
Citing data from 2008 to 2013, authors Clarissa David, Jose Ramon Albert, and Jana Flor Vizmanos reported a slight drop of VAWC incidence from 7.3 percent in 2008 to 5.6 percent in 2013. Most of these abuses, they noted, were experienced in the hands of closest family members or relatives, such as partners or parents. READ MORE