PRESS RELEASES

New industrial policy seen crucial to address the country`s laggard economic growth
The government needs an inclusive growth model to transform the industrial sector into a key player in generating investment, employment, and innovation. A research study by PIDS Senior Research Fellow Rafaelita Aldaba recommends to the present administration to implement industrial policy reforms that will enhance the country`s firm productivity, deepen linkages of domestic firms and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with large domestic and multinational companies, and gain more investment inflows. <<READ MORE

Organizational membership and good education may help persons with disabilities gain employment
Persons with disabilities (PWDs) who are members of the Disabled Person`s Organization (DPO) and have good educational background have better access to employment. A research study conducted by PIDS Research Associate Christian Mina found that DPO membership and educational attainment are strongly correlated with higher employment opportunities among PWDs. The findings were obtained through an analysis of the 2008 and 2010 disability surveys in selected cities of Metro Manila and Rosario, Batangas, respectively. <<READ MORE

SMEs must be ready for ASEAN economic integration by 2015
Two years from now, the Philippines and other ASEAN members will be moved toward a single market and production base under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015. However, the readiness of our small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for this regional economic integration draws a big question mark. PIDS Vice President Rafaelita Aldaba`s study raises concerns over the weak performance of SMEs despite regional measures implemented in the ASEAN Strategic Action Plan for SME Development 2010-2015 (ASAPSD)... <<READ MORE

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino must deepen its assistance to beneficiaries
DSWD`s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program or 4Ps must provide longer assistance to its present beneficiaries instead of increasing the number of its beneficiary families. A recent study of PIDS Senior Research Fellow Celia Reyes and Supervising Research Specialist Aubrey Tabuga recommends the extension of 4Ps assistance to current beneficiary families to ensure that their children can finish high school. If this happens, they will have more employment opportunities when they enter the labor market.<<READ MORE

SEMINAR UPDATES

Inception Workshop: Competition Reforms in Key Markets for Enhancing Social and Economic Welfare in Developing Countries (CREW Project)
Co-Sponsors: Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. of Justice, Dept. of Transportation and Communication
Date: May 7, 2013
Time: 9:30-2:30 p.m.
Venue: C.P. Romulo Hall, NEDA sa Makati Bldg., Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City

Financing Infrastructure Development: Getting the Incentives Right
Co-Sponsors: National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center
Date: April 16,2013
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Venue: Carlos P. Romulo Hall, NEDA sa Makati Bldg., 106 Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City

DATABASE UPDATES

Peso-Dollar Exchange Rate
The monthly average peso-dollar exchange rate slightly went up to 40.7127 in March, from 40.6723 in February 2013.

For more details, please refer to this link: http://econdb.pids.gov.ph/tablelists/table/49

Source: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)

Inflation Rate
The year-on-year headline inflation rate* went down to 3.2 percent in March from 3.4 percent in February 2013. This mainly due to food and non-alcoholic beverages; housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; household equipment and routine maintenance of the house; transport; and communication indices. Core inflation rate** remained 3.8 percent in March.
For the regional headline inflation rates, please refer to this link: http://econdb.pids.gov.ph/tablelists/table/568

Source: National Statistics Office (NSO)

*Headline inflation rate refers to year-on-year change in the overall Consumer Price Index (CPI).
**Core inflation rate is the rate of change in the headline CPI after excluding selected food and energy items.

NEW PUBLICATIONS

(Policy Notes 2013-05) Can the Philippine Auto Industry Survive Smuggling?

The automotive industry is a highly competitive and technology-intensive industry. It requires large economies of scale and high degree of specialization in parts and components manufacturing. The relatively small size of the domestic market is made worse by the entry of smuggled used vehicles. This Policy Notes analyzes the exacerbating issue of auto smuggling in the country. It shows the murky policy environment that has hampered efforts to address it and examines the extent of its negative impacts on government revenues and in our bid to develop a globally competitive auto industry. Click here for the full article

(Policy Notes 2013-04) Where Are the Poor Employed? Profiling the Working Poor
by Mina, Christian D.,Reyes, Celia M.

The poor, in general, have lower levels of education because they tend to prioritize their daily basic needs and put lower investment in education. Local studies on poverty correlates note that members of poor households more likely have lower levels of education. This Notes intends to raise understanding on the impacts of low education on the employment outcomes of the poor. It analyzes the profile of the working poor based on data from the Labor Force Survey and Annual Poverty Indicators Survey of the National Statistics Office and looks at possible interventions that can promote inclusive growth. Click here for the full article.

(Policy Notes 2013-03) Community-based Approaches Toward Upgrading of Informal Settlements: Alternative Strategies and Recommendations for Policymaking
by Galuszka, Jakub

Within the last 30 years, the relevance of participatory methodologies has continuously been increasing in the housing sector in transition and developing countries. Thanks to their positive impacts on the social, environmental, and financial sustainability of projects, participatory approaches have steadily been gaining support and recognition from mainstream or conventional development agencies. This Policy Notes illustrates the state of development and implementation of community-based approaches in the Philippines toward the upgrading of informal settlements, describes the potential of these approaches, and provides some recommendations for policymaking. Click here for the full article.

Sovereign Credit Ratings
by Felipe F. Salvosa II
The Philippines has finally reached "investment grade" status. What does this mean for the government, the economy, and business? More importantly, what is in store for the ordinary Filipino struggling to make a living? In a nutshell, credit ratings represent assessments by credit rating agencies on the risk that a borrower (in our case, a sovereign nation, the Republic of the Philippines) would default on its debts.

Governments and firms need to get a credit rating to raise funds from bonds, and ratings influence borrowing costs. Credit ratings are not to be taken as "buy" or "sell" recommendations, as they are merely "opinions" about credit risk. At most, an investment-grade rating can be regarded as a "seal of good housekeeping" as far as the government`s financial stability is concerned. Click here for the full article.

DISCUSSION PAPER SERIES

• (DP 2013-31) Analysis of the President`s Budget for 2013
  by Manasan, Rosario G.
• (DP 2013-30) From Highly Skilled to Low Skilled: Revisiting the Deskilling of Migrant Labor
  by Siar, Sheila V.
• (DP 2013-29) Review and Assessment of Programs Offered by State Universities and Colleges
  by Manasan, Rosario G.
• (DP 2013-28) Efficiency and Effectiveness Review of the National Housing Authority Resettlement Program
  by Ballesteros, Marife M.,Egana, Jasmine V.
  
• (DP 2013-26) Managing International Labor Migration in ASEAN: Themes from a Six-Country Study
  by Orbeta, Aniceto Jr. C., Gonzales, Kathrina G.
• (DP 2013-25) Impact of Trade Liberalization on Wage Skill Premium in Philippine Manufacturing
  by Aldaba, Rafaelita M.
  
• (DP 2013-24) Assessment of the Effectiveness and Efficiency of the Cadastral Survey Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
  by Llanto, Gilberto M., Rosellon, Maureen Ane D.
• (DP 2013-23) Impact Assessment of the Agricultural Production Support Services of the Department of Agriculture on the Income of Poor Farmers/Fisherfolk: Review of the Evidence
  by Briones, Roehlano M.
  
• (DP 2013-22) Assessment of the Efficiency and Effectiveness of the Reforestation Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
  by Israel, Danilo C., Lintag, Jeffrey H.
• (DP 2013-21) Twenty Years after Philippine Trade Liberalization and Industrialization: What Has Happened and Where Do We Go from Here
  by Aldaba, Rafaelita M.
• (DP 2013-20) Perspectives on Health Decentralization and Interjurisdictional Competition among Local Governments in the Philippines
  by Llanto, Gilberto M., Kelekar, Uma

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