Philippine Economy

Philippine Economy

       Economy refers to a process of production, distribution, and consumption of certain goods and services by individuals in the society.

Philippine Economy is the 39th largest in the world, according to 2014 International Monetary Fund statistics, and is also one of the emerging markets. The Philippines is considered as a newly industrialized country, which has been transitioning from one based on agriculture to one based more on services and manufacturing. In 2014, the GDP by Purchasing power parity was estimated to be at $692.223 billion

The Philippines’ economic freedom score is 62.2, making its economy the 76th freest in the 2015 Index. Its score has increased by 2.1 points since last year, with notable improvements in financial freedom, freedom from corruption, and labor freedom outweighing declines in business freedom and the management of public spending. The Philippines ranks 13th out of 42 countries in the Asia–Pacific region, and its overall score is above the world and regional averages.

Registering one of the 10 best score improvements in the 2015 Index, the Philippines has charted an upward trajectory of economic freedom for the past five years, further advancing into the “moderately free” category. Wide-ranging reforms to address structural weaknesses and improve overall economic competitiveness have put greater emphasis on improving regulatory efficiency, enhancing regional competitiveness, and liberalizing the banking sector. Demonstrating a high level of resilience and overcoming the devastating impact of the massive typhoon that ripped through the central part of the country, the Philippine economy has recorded an average growth rate exceeding 5 percent over the past half-decade.

Despite notable progress since 2011, however, lingering institutional challenges will require a deeper commitment to reform. Corruption continues to be a serious cause for concern, jeopardizing prospects for long-term economic development. The inefficient judiciary, which remains susceptible to political interference, does not provide effective protection for property rights or strong and transparent enforcement of the law.

Finalyn Jaji

SCARCITY

                  Resource Scarcity and Climate Change

“Going green” has rapidly become the new norm for the industries of tomorrow.This mindset coupled with initiatives and policies that focus on climate change, resource scarcity, and increased consumer, industry and political interests is putting pressure on businesses to evolve from traditional technologies to more innovative ones. In this environment, it is inevitable that clean technologies on efficient resource consumption, renewable energy, biofuels, information technology, waste reduction and management, among others, will lead to a paradigm shift in business practices.

Much of these and other activities are premised on the expectation that demand for food, water, and energy will grow by approximately 35%, 40%, and 50%, respectively, while climate change will worsen the outlook for the availability of these critical resources. These were the figures reported in the Global Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds report published by the National Intelligence Council in 2012. It mainly attributes the increase in demand to the increase in global population and the consumption patterns of an expanding middle class.

On the demand for energy, for instance, many industry groups are concerned that the increasing household and industry electricity consumption, driven by the growth in the economy, could eventually lead to a power crisis. The recent widespread power failure in Mindanao is quite ominous. The energy supply could be eroded further by delays and oppositions to several power infrastructure projects. This is a potential risk that could disrupt the power supply and otherwise cause prices to shoot up, affecting businesses, industries and consumers and eventually undermining our fast growing economy.

Around the world, almost every government has included addressing resource scarcity and climate change in their agenda. Some noteworthy achievements in the energy sector are China’s clean energy and efficiency initiatives, Saudi Arabia’s solar development plan, and Brazil’s efforts to promote wind and biofuels.For its part, the Philippines has enacted several laws and policies and established a clean technology fund investment plan focusing on energy and transport, to tackle resource efficiency issues. Our government focusing primarily on energy spearheads most of the cleantech initiatives and projects which the business sector has already begun to embrace.

Clearly, our government is embarking on cleantech as a viable alternative to address the growing demand for energy, with the private sector playing a key role in providing investments and expertise to aid its success.Further, the largest global corporations are meeting the challenge of transitioning to a low-carbon and resource-efficient economy through proactive energy strategies. Global corporate energy strategies are based on improving energy efficiency to mitigate energy cost hikes, increasing use of renewable energy and growing energy self-generation.

To address these risks, local companies are currently reviewing their supply chains, reducing carbon emissions and adopting green technologies. Most notably, many companies have already started utilizing RE as a feasible strategy to achieve self-sufficiency for its energy needs. The DOE website mentions 31 energy generation projects awarded under RE Law for “own-use” by companies. Playing on the strength of the Philippines as an agricultural country, these companies turned mostly to biomass as feedstock for energy self-generation.Globally, every business will be affected by the growing world population, rising consumption and a deteriorating supply of natural resources. To remain competitive, businesses should assess how these factors can impact their operations.

So I conclude that each of us Filipinos should take care of the environment by teaching ourselves discipline and sharing this knowledge to other people. To avoid scarcity of natural resources on the upcoming years and also to avoid costly interventions by doing a simple job we can all benefit from it. Just thinking about it and stop being lazy we can all do it.

CANTAL,MARY ANJUNETTE N.

BSOT-3A

Philippine Demography

By: Kenji Lee Moceno


Population of Philippines 2014

As of 1 January 2015, the population of Philippines was estimated to be 102 333 484 people. This is an increase of 1.90 % (1 911 039 people) compared to population of 100 422 445 the year before. In 2014 the natural increase was positive, as the number of births exceeded the number of deaths by 2 040 584. Due to external migration, the population declined by 129 545. The sex ratio of the total population was 1.006 (1 006 males per 1 000 females) which is lower than global sex ratio. The global sex ratio in the world as approximately 1 016 males to 1 000 females as of 2014.

Philippines Population 2015

As of 1 January 2015, the population of Philippines was estimated to be 102 333 484 people. This is an increase of 1.90 % (1 911 039 people) compared to population of 100 422 445 the year before. In 2014 the natural increase was positive, as the number of births exceeded the number of deaths by 2 040 584. Due to external migration, the population declined by 129 545. The sex ratio of the total population was 1.006 (1 006 males per 1 000 females) which is lower than global sex ratio. The global sex ratio in the world was approximately 1 016 males to 1 000 females as of 2014. See also map of the world by sex ratio of total population.
 
So as you can see, it's been a long time that yet this problem is not solved out because there are some mistakes that had been done by the people. The government is still on going process about this situation and it is very crucial that things are to be done in order to let the people survive and protect themselves from poverty and worthless livelihood. The major cause of this problem is sex, people are stubborn enough for not listening the rules at all, it is obviously, publicly stated that we must be careful in our doings that everything shall not be put to trouble. No matter how good or bad you are as a citizen as long as it is not personal or serious one. Especially teens nowadays, they just make sex a pleasure thing to feel the goodness or freedom let's say. Parents are not well-disciplined enough to warn their children, without teaching good things, it will get worst. Poverty is another concern. With this problem too, it is so hard to carry people who have no basic needs so that's why we need to help the government in order to move faster according to their plans and set ups.

Politics by Mary Ellen Bacalso

Politics refers to the exercise power of the governance. The word had its roots in Greeks politikos which means “for citizens”. It is always associated with power in administering & organizing a society, group, government, church, etc. An exercise of power in any of these politics is constituted in so called “political system”.

Political system is the system power of governance. It is often described with economic system, cultural system, religious system or legal system. It is constituted by the members of the organization, by-laws and politicizes in the management and administration, and mechanism for maintain order & out of order of the organization.

Types of political system. • Authoritarianism – it is a dictorial form of government. For example, people like Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines.

• Monarchy – it is opposite to democracy & republic since monarchical government allows monarch to rule a state until his death or abdication. In medieval monarchy, a monarch is the ultimate ruler of the state including legislation and judiciary but in the modern monarchy, a monarch is not a leader of state as in Spain, England, or Denmark.

• Democracy – it allows the individuals to participate in the government. The 2 types of democracy are direct democracy and representative democracy. o Direct democracy – where citizens are entitled for participation in the government. o Representative democracy – where citizens elect their representatives for governance

• Communism – a state envision by Karl Marx then followed by Russia in the 19th century, China and Cuba in the 20th century, and etc. It’s as synonymous with complete authoritarianism reflects in many writings, famous of which is George Orwell’s 1984 published in 1949.

• Republic – allowing the citizens to legitimize (to make something legal or to make it acceptable, permissible or correct.) in the government. Republic may relate with the representative democracy and opposite to authoritarian rule. Republic conflicts with its nature in as much as Republic countries are often ruled by oligarchs, which mean few-citizens-rule, like in the Philippines, America, etc.

Our country is under the political system democracy where citizens are entitled for the participation of government & where citizens elect the representatives for the government. It is stated that politics came from then politikos which means "for citizens." Now a days, as we look upon our politicians, can we really say that there doings are all for the citizens? Do they do provide a clear liquidation where our taxes or money goes? No. Do they protect and give justice to the people equally especially the poor? No. Do they provide service to those people who can’t afford education? No. I really don’t know why our country still collects taxes from the people cause for all I know is that taxes are implemented in order to improve the lives of the Filipinos and also the country. But can you really see the improvement? Our society or country's system has not effectively help most of the Filipinos in the Philippines. Until now, the country Philippines is still considered as one of the most corrupt system in the whole country. How can you expect our political system to change when most of the political problems come from our own government authorities. If they could only do the political system democracy properly at least there would be a difference in this country.

MIGRATION AND REMITTANCES by: Sheena Licong

UNIT 8

The Philippines have faced numerous trials and ordeals with regards to its government and the welfare of the people. It has endured through many colonizations and has suffered through martial law. But after all the experiences that Filipinos have been through, why is it that they still keep on repeating their mistakes? Why is the poor getting poorer every day? Why is it that there are still many that are jobless? Why is it that many of Filipinos would rather choose to work abroad instead?

Today The Philippines is ranked on one of the top emigration countries in the world. The economy in the Philippines depends heavily on remittances. The intensive involvement of government in emigration plays a crucial role, in other words, the Philippines have become an exporter and its goods are its citizens.

Filipinos are struggling in finding stable jobs due to the reasons of overpopulation. There are also some cases especially to Filipinos who weren’t able to finish their education that job companies would require experience and bigger standards. For this some of them would seek for jobs in abroad. The Government would also gained from this, for this will help boost the source of foreign exchange in the country. 

Some of the Filipinos in the other countries are given good benefits but some are still placed in a vulnerable situation, their rights, are always at stake, yet little mechanisms for protection are given to them. Some Filipinos are also experiencing cases of racial discrimination; Filipinos are known for being hardworking and due to the fact that the monetary peso conversion is big , Filipinos are sometimes being abused by other countries for they know that they wouldn't say no when a large amount of money is involved. In this case Filipinos are once again being slaved by foreigners.

The Economic Deterrent That Prevent Improvement of the Economy (Stefani L. Bartolabac)

                    The Economic Deterrent That Prevent Improvement of the Economy

    Economy is the process of production, distribution, and consumption of certain goods and services by individuals in the society. These are three basic stuffs that economic activity involves: natural resources, labor, and capital. These shapes for the evolution of economy are geographical location, culture, values, political organization, law, and education. Certain individuals, organizations, and nations have always faced the enormous challenge of limited goods and services since the dawn of history. They have developed variety of approaches to effectively use the natural resources, labor, and capital for progress.

    One of the problems that trigger Philippine economy is the Job Generation Decline. Job generation is declining steeply from 2011 to 2013 – 1.2 million jobs generated in 2011, down to 408,000 in 2012 and declining further to 317,000 in 2013. Unemployment rate in the Philippines increased to 6.50% in the third quarter of 2015 from 6.40% in the second quarter of 2015. Unemployment rate in the Philippines averaged 8.82% from 1994 until 2015, reaching an all-time high of 13.90% in the first quarter of 2000 and a record low of 6% in 4^th quarter of 2014. Unemployment rate in the Philippines is reported by National Statistics Office.

     Worsening conditions of the poor is one of the issues that Philippine economy is facing today. Data from National Statistics Office (NSO) reveals the worsening conditions of the poor majority of Filipinos in 2013. It shows there is a severe disparity between economic growth boasted by Benigno Aquino administration within 2010-2013 and foreign direct investment, on the one hand, and job generation on the other hand poverty and inequality remains a challenge. In the past four decades, the proportion of households living below the official poverty line has declined slowly and unevenly and poverty reduction has been much slow. Great inequality across income brackets regions, and sectors, as well as unmanaged population growth, are considered some of the key factors constraining poverty reduction efforts. The main causes of poverty in the country include the following:

·         Low to moderate economic growth for the past 40 years;

·         Low growth elasticity of poverty reduction;

·         Weakness in employment generation and the quality of jobs generated;

·         Failure to develop the agriculture sector:

·         High inflation during crisis periods;

·         High levels of population growth

·         Recurrent shocks and exposure to risks such as economic crisis conflicts, natural disasters, and “natural disaster.” (www.adb.org)

The report comprehensively analyzes the causes of poverty and recommends ways to accelerate poverty reduction and achieve more inclusive growth. In the immediate and short term there is a need to enhance government’s poverty reduction strategy and involve key sectors for a collective and coordinated response to the problem. In the medium and long term the government should continue to pursue key economic reforms for sustained and inclusive growth.

    Restoring a strong economy and job market must be the number one priority for the President of the country. What the government can do to the economic growth are:

·         Promote economic growth through innovation

·         Strategic immigration reform

·         Require unemployed workers to volunteer

·         Remove unnecessary and unclear laws

    Government must look for better solution in how to increase our economy. We must not be dependent to other countries and we must stand on our own. As a Filipino student, we can help by simply serving for the better future of our country. Maybe, there will be no unemployed Filipinos and less poverty if our government officials know how to manage our economy. Filipino citizens must choose officials who will serve the country well.

 

Stefani L. Bartolabac BSOT-1B

QUANTITY vs. QUALITY By: Regina Clare T. Urbina

QUANTITY vs. QUALITY

(Unit 9: Philippine Demography)

By: Regina Clare T. Urbina

       

          Demography is the branch of social sciences concerned with the study of human populations, their structure and change (through births, deaths, and migration), and their relationship with the natural environment and with social and economic change. Demographic indicators could include population size, population growth rate, crude birth rate, crude death rate, total fertility rate, life expectancy and infant mortality. In short, demographic changes affect all areas of human activity: economic, social, cultural and political.  The demographic presentation of the Philippines shows the rise and impact to the whole Philippine society; counting Philippines as one of the countries that are encountering overpopulation. A number of implications can be said of population increase, such as unemployment, poverty, literacy, family planning, mortality, and leading causes of death.

          One of the factors that cause overpopulation in the Philippines is unemployment. Studies show that Filipinos work for more than 40 hours or more making them full-time workers. These Filipinos are considered underemployed. This means that these workers are highly skilled but work in low paying jobs or in low skill jobs. Another factor is poverty incidence. It states that fishermen posted the highest poverty incidence but having the smallest number of poor population. Demographic studies also mentions literacy as another cause of population increase. A functionally literate person is one who can read, write, compute and comprehend. Functional literacy rate is higher among persons with higher level of education. This reflects on the presentation that 67% of those with some elementary education were functionally literate, while only 5% percent among those with no formal education were functionally literate. Family planning is another address to overpopulation in the country. Unmet need for family planning among married women in the Philippines remains high.  Under this, unplanned pregnancies result to dramatic rise of population. This is more likely to occur among older women than younger women. Mortality decline is also another factor. Due to advancement of medicine, mortality rate is declining. And lastly, the leading causes of death in the Philippines are heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases and malignant neoplasm or cancer respectively.

           Demographic studies are essential in determining elements of population changes and their impact to the whole society. It hopes to activate our social interest on major population issues and concerns. With the presentations stated above, we are more aware of the problems that are right in front of us. Not only should we be aware of these problems at hand, but also be able to respond to these problems as well. I believe that there are no limits in changing the society for the better. A step to address this kind of problem is learning how to balance the quantity in goal of achieving quality. Quality is a characteristic while quantity is just a measure. Quality must always be over quantity. However, quantity is not bad in itself. There is power in numbers, and when one can balance such with an unwavering regard for quality one can achieve far reaching change and successful development for society and the environment as well.