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TUESDAY/ 30 JUNE 2020

PUBLICATIONS

DP 2020-18: Fiscal Sustainability, Equity, and Allocative Efficiency in the Light of the 2019 Supreme Court Ruling
on the LGUs' Share in National Taxes
by Rosario G. Manasan

In 2019, the Supreme Court ruled with finality on separate petitions filed by Batangas Governor Herminaldo Mandanas et al. and Bataan Governor Enrique Garcia regarding the share of local government units (LGUs) in national internal revenue taxes as mandated under Section 284 of the 1991 Local Government Code (LGC). According to the petitioners, there are errors in the computation of the internal revenue allotment (IRA). As a result, the IRA in 2022 will increase by PHP 225.3 billion relative to what it would have been prior to the promulgation of the said ruling to reach PHP 1,102.7 billion. To ensure the sustainability of the national government’s fiscal position, this study proposes that said increase in the IRA be sourced by unfunding programs, activities, and projects (PAPs) in the budgets of some national government agencies that are actually intended to deliver functions assigned to LGUs under the LGC. It then proceeds to these PAPs on the basis of the 2020 General Appropriations Act. It also evaluates the impact of this financing scheme on the vertical fiscal balance across different levels of local government and horizontal fiscal balance across individual LGUs within each level of local government. Click here to download the paper.

DRN 2020-02 Vol. 38 No. 2: Flattening the curve is not enough
by PIDS Research Information Staff

This quarter's Development Research News (DRN) focuses on some socioeconomic issues confronting the Philippine healthcare system. The banner story highlights the importance of a strategic response to contain the coronavirus disease pandemic and to mitigate its adverse impacts on the Philippine economy. The DRN also features articles on the country's lack of healthcare workers and the challenges confronting our social health insurance programs for the vulnerable sector, particularly the poor households, the elderly, and women. Articles on some of the factors affecting the effective implementation of public health programs at the city/municipal level are also included in this quarter's DRN. Completing this issue is an article about the data gaps in the agriculture sector and an infographic on the Philippine services sector. Click here to download the newsletter.

PRESS RELEASE

PIDS-UNESCAP virtual event underscores prioritizing people, planet over economy amid COVID-19 pandemic

As Asia-Pacific countries continue to find ways to recover from the immediate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) reminded governments in the region to prioritize people and the planet over economic recovery.

“It is critical that when combatting COVID-19, policymakers should not lose sight of our long-term vision for sustainable development. Business-as-usual cannot continue in the face of a long-standing climate emergency,” said Shuvojit Banerjee, economic affairs officer of UNESCAP, in a recent webinar jointly organized by state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies and UNESCAP. READ MORE

EVENTS

July 2, 2020, 2–4PM
Webinar on Making Agricultural Insurance
in PH More Inclusive
(watch the livestream on the PIDS Facebook page)

July 9, 2020, 2–4PM
Webinar on Early Childhood Care and Development Interventions in Selected Philippine Provinces
(watch the livestream on the PIDS Facebook page)

July 16, 2020, 2–4:30PM
Webinar on Fiscal and Governance Gaps among PH Municipalities
(watch the livestream on the PIDS Facebook page)

July 23, 2020, 2–4PM
Webinar on Silver Linings for Seniors in PH
(watch the livestream on the PIDS Facebook page)

July 30, 2020, 2–4:30PM
Webinar on Assessment
of the Performance Challenge Fund
and the Seal of Good
Local Governance
(watch the livestream on the PIDS Facebook page)

CALL FOR PAPERS

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

INFOGRAPHICS

POLICY ISSUE AT A GLANCE

Leveraging Services for Regional Development in the Philippines

The Philippine services sector, which consists of a diverse range of industries from retail and business services to education and health, is the biggest contributor to the economy. However, the sector has an uneven performance at the regional and subsector levels.

This infographic provides an overview of the services sector--the various industries that fall under this classification and their contribution to the economy. It also looks at overall trends and patterns of performance.

Finally, it summarizes some key findings and offers some recommendations to further develop services at the regional level.

This infographic is based on PIDS Discussion Paper titled “Regional Analysis of the Philippine Services Sector” written by Ramonette B. Serafica and Jean Colleen M. Vergara, senior research fellow and former research analyst, respectively.

To view in actual size, visit the PIDS website or the PIDS Facebook page.