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JUNE 2011—MARCH 2012 Silver Anniversary Issue

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF PLM ECONOMICS SOCIETY

Editor’s Note ………… 1

News ………………………………… 2

Editorial …………………… 6

Features ………………………

Literature …………………

Talk of the Town

Caught in the Act

(Major Events)……

Editor-in-Chief : PAULINE F. MENDOZA

The twenty-five years of unsurmountable excellence of the PLM

Economics Society cannot be writen in one magazine alone. Past is-

sues of ECOSPHERE summarized all the events and successes involving

EcoSoc - the project and activities organized by EcoSoc Executive

Committee.

This year’s issue still serves the best of what EcoSoc has done.

The only point of difference spells C O L O R F U L. As we celebrate the

Silver Anniversary, we ensure you that you will grasp the meaning of

“Silver is Colorful”. From the layout to the articles, ECOSPHERE will

show you how colorful EcoSoc has been and will be.

As you turn the pages, articles about the HISTORY OF ECOSOC

will bring you further into the knowledge of our dear organization.

Achievements of the students who made into the TOP 10 as well as

the graduates of 2012 are recognized. Articles from past Editor-In-

Chiefs of ECOSPHERE (Kath de Leon and Nikki Fabella) will also be

read in the following pages.

The success of ECOSPHERE will not be possible without the

hardworking editors and staffs who devoted their time, effort, and

talent. It is my pleasure to work with you guys! THANK YOU! I would

also like to thank President Rodolfo Ross G. Anthony Jr., the Executive

Committee as well as the Committee Heads of Economics Society for

entrusting me the EIC position – thank you for trusting my capabilities

and for helping us through. Thank you to Dr. Sonia F. Manlangit, for

undying support and for my capabilities and for guiding the EcoSoc.

Thank you EcoSoc members for always giving us a reason why we

EDITOR’S NOTE

Paui Editor-in-Chief

1st PLM EcoSoc Summit educates scholars

(Christine Joy N. Trajano)

The first Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Economics Society’s (PLM-EcoSoc) Economics Summit titled, “Ekonomiya, Nakakain Ba ‘To?”, held last November 4, 2011 at Justo Albert Audito-rium, PLM from 7 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon, which educated students of the Pamantasan. Ms. Jhana June Tejome, Executive Director of the Philippine Network of Food Security Programmes Incorporated, served as the first speaker and tackled about food security in the Philippines. Thereafter, Professor Ramse Osano gave an overview and insights about the re-cent Development Thrusts of the Philip-pines, comprising of the Conditional Cash Transfer Program, the Proposed K + 12 Basic Education Program and the Repro-ductive Health Bill. After the talk, students enthusiasti-cally shared their queries and opinions on the youth alliance forum, headed by the masters of the ceremony, Vic Cajurao and Joannalyn de Jesus, students from BSBE 4-1. Dean Honorata Pagaduan, College of Accountancy and Economics dean and Professor Sonia Manlangit, adviser of PLM EcoSoc, were present to support the organization, whereas students from the college attended the summit.

PSE Academe Week Spreads Stock Market Investing Awareness

PLM EcoSoc partakes

(Jamille M. Alcantara and Christine Joy N. Trajano)

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) organized the PSE Academe Week 2011 with various activities held last September 5 to 10, 2011 at the PSE Ayala, PSE Tektite, University of Diliman and San Beda University consecu-tively. Academe Week 2011 is a muliti-faceted literacy campaign on stock market investing for the members of the academe community. It is a six-day activity that strategically organized and consolidated key academe-based projects of the PSE Market Education Department based on learning objectives, design, and tar-get participants. The PSE Academe Week showcased nationwide trading game competi-tions, poster making and infomercial contests, and stock investing workshops and seminars for students and instructors. The much anticipated nationwide quiz bee, Economics and Capital Markets Quiz Bee, held last September 22 at the trading floor of the Exchange in Ortigas was participated by 23 teams from different organizations all over the Philippines, including the PLM Economic Soci-ety. The team composed of Rodolfo Ross An-thony, Cheenee de Leon and Aileen Simbulan, from BSBE 4-1. The PSE Academe Week is conducted in partnership with its apprentice group PSE Blue Chip Club (PSE BCC) and national student organizations, namely, Bedan Business Spec-trum Foundation (BBSF), and PLM EcoSoc’s affiliate organizations – the Council of Eco-nomics Students (CES) and Junior Philippine Economics Society (JPES).

Juan‟s Real Score on Poverty

The Social Context of Poor Filipino Then and Now

(Kimberly Joyce C. Aclan)

The University of the Philippines School of Economics (UPSE) Diliman, Quezon City

conducted a seminar dated August 18, 2011 with the theme, “KAHIRAP-JUAN: The Social

Context of Poor Filipino Then and Now”.

The officers of the UP Economics Society spearheaded the said seminar. Together

with the respected speakers, Dr. Ernesto M. Pernia, specialized in Development Economics,

Urban and Regional Economics, Prof. Maria Victoria Raquiza from the UP National College

of Public Administration and Governance, and Dir. Camille Ferrer of the National Anti-

Poverty Commission, issues regarding the real economic standing of the Filipinos were

clearly tackled.

The Philippine Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) also known as the Pantawid Pami-

lyang Pilipino Program or the “4Ps” was somewhat the main concern of the seminar. As dis-

cussed by the speakers, 4Ps is not only the national government‟s answer to the hungry

men of our country, but this would also serve as an aid to improve people‟s health, nutrition

and education particularly of children aged 0-14. The conditional cash grants with an

amount of P1400 on a monthly basis is intended for the families with three qualified chil-

dren or in other cases are considered poorest of the poor with an economic condition that

is equal to or below the provincial poverty threshold, to be received through a Land Bank

cash card.

Apart from providing social assistance through subsidies given as immediate re-

spond to short-term poverty, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program also geared towards

comprehensive promotion of gender equality and social development, reduction of child

mortality and achievement of primary education for the Filipino youth.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development, together with its partner agen-

cies, Department of Health, the Department of Education, the Department of the Interior

and Local Government, the National Anti-Poverty Commission and Land Bank of the Philip-

pines intend to cover 2.3 million households with its CCT program by the end of 2011.

Matters on population were also mentioned as an added factor to the decreasing

economic situation of the country, not to mention the undying debate on the RH Bill.

Whether this program would be a miss or a hit does not only depend upon the people

behind it. How the people receiving it would respond to such grant is another story to tell

and consider.

PLM EcoSoc members’ step-up to the limit – first general assembly

(Christine Joy N. Trajano)

The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Economics Society (PLM-EcoSoc) held its first general assembly for the Academic Year 2011-2012, titled “Step-up to the Limit” last August 24, 2011 at the PLM field and Justo Albert Auditorium for the team building activity and program proper, respectively. The jam packed day started with the team building activity which was vigor-ously participated by the teams grouped by year levels. Each teams wore their re-spective team colors (Blue for Freshmen; Violet for Sophomores; Green for Juniors; Red for Seniors), making the activity a “battle of colors”. Started at 9 in the morning, Talong Relay served as the ice breaker of the team building, followed by Flip Tarp and Amazing Race, simultaneously. Whereas Tug-o-war marked the end of the first half of the assembly by 12 noon. After an hour break, the formal program started at 1 in the afternoon, headed by the masters of the ceremony, Via Tricia Pacia and Vic Canarejo, students of BSBE 4-1. Executive committee and the committee heads were acknowledged, along with the projected plans for the organization – monthly events, goodies, and the Econ Week. Jamille Alcantara, Vice President for Academic Affairs of the Council of Eco-nomics Students (CES) ; Raicana Dirampaten and Ariane Enriquez, representatives for the Junior Philippine Economics Students (JPES), discussed the activities of the aforementioned affiliate organizations of EcoSoc for the academic year. Seminars and tie-ups of the organization were discussed as well. Furthermore, Rodolfo Ross Anthony, President of the Economics Society, de-livered an inspirational speech for the organization’s members. LOL Ka and the Artista Search completed all the team building activities and determined that the Sophomores (Violet Team) as the champion.

Four Organizationa Tied-up for

„Know and React: A PDP Forum‟

(Pauline F. Mendoza)

The PUP Economics Research Society togeth-

er with FEU Economics Society, UP Economics To-

wards Consciousness, and PLM Economics Society

organized an educational discussion on the Philippine

Development Plan entitled “Know and React: A PDP

Forum” at FEU Auditorium Morayta, Manila.

On their first ever collaboration, the four or-

ganizations exerted effort to edify students about the

assessment of Medium-Term Philippine Development

Plan (MTPDP) for 2004-2010 and give relevant views

on President Aquino‟s Philippine Development Plan

for 2011-2016. The event would not be possible with-

out the help of the speakers, Economic Development

Specialist Mr. Ramon Paul M. Falcon of National Eco-

nomic and Development Authority (NEDA) and Execu-

tive Director Sixto Donota C. Macaset of Caucus of

Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO).

On the first discussion, the assessment of

MTPDP for 2004-2010 shows the accomplishments of

basic planning document of the Macapagal-Arroyo

administration, the key targets unmet, the critique of

the MTPDP, and the recommendations for the MTPDP

for 2010-2016. The over-all assessment lead CODE-

NGO to state that, after 5 years of implementation

(2004-2009), the MTPDP has not resulted to reduced

inequality and poverty, a sustainable economy and

people empowerment and democratization. CODE-

NGO recommended that the next MTPDP should

clearly be established on these development pillars –

(a) people empowerment and democratization, (b)

poverty reduction and equitable access to resources,

social services, opportunities and benefits and (c)

economic and environmental sustainability.

It was also discussed on the second part of

the seminar the PDP‟s five key strategies. First is to

boost competitiveness in the productive sectors to

generate massive employment. Second is to improve

access to financing to address the evolving needs of

a diverse public. Third is to invest massively

in infrastructure. Fourth is to promote trans-

parent and responsive governance. Fifth, is to

develop human resources through improved

social services and protection.

Furthermore, the Philippine Develop-

ment Plan 2011-2016 embarked President Be-

nigno S. Aquino III‟s program of government

that is based on his “Social Contract with the

Filipino People” wherein he expressed a dedi-

cation to transformational leadership, institu-

tional reform, economic stability and inclu-

sive growth. With good governance and anti-

corruption as an overarching theme, the Phil-

ippine Development Plan will effectively ad-

dress poverty, create massive employment

opportunities, and achieve its vision of inclu-

sive growth.

After the talk, an equally distinguished

panel of educators will then react to the

presentation, which includes our very own

Professor Noemi C Gocuyo. The forum dis-

cussed the accomplishments and plans had

identified under the Philippine Development

Plan. By knowing the plans of the National

Government for the development of the coun-

try, students will become aware on how they

should act in order to achieve the PDP 2011-

2016. Furthermore, that is not just to study

hard and to critique, but also to share it to

others, take actions and be part of the solu-

tions by contributing to the actions of the Na-

tional Government in addressing the PDP

2011-2016.

The seminar would like urge the youth

to make sudden understanding of the status

quo, by knowing the truth and consequences

of MTPDP and PDP. Nevertheless, this will be

an opportunity for economic awareness and

social responsibility for the future leaders of

the nation.

Progress lies not in enhancing what

is, but in advancing toward what will

be -Khalil Gibran

RANGELIQUE N. MORALES

How is the Philippine economy heading into

2012? And what can be expected as this year comes to

an end and a new one begins? 2011 has been a year of

growth, according to the Central Bank. The economy

grew by 3.6 percent in the first 9 months, although the

government’s target was 4.5 – 5.5 percent. It was also

noted that there was no contraction even if economic

growth has slowed. Furthermore, the sound macroeco-

nomic fundamentals of the country will hopefully help

prospects for the coming year.

First, an overview of 2011. The first quarter

showed that expansion was at the slowest pace since

2009. Still, a budget surplus was seen in April, which

helped the president’s efforts to narrow budget deficit

from 314 billion pesos in 2010. Export growth slowed,

but still rising 4.1 percent from the previous year. Remit-

tances from OFW’s gained 5.9 percent in the first three

months, while government expenditure fell 11.6 percent.

percent.

2012 is upon us. It is widely viewed as a fateful

year. Will it be so for the Philippine economy? There are

several predictions on this matter. Due to an escalating

debt crisis in Europe, a continuing weak US labour mar-

ket, and a danger of a slowdown in China, the future of

the economy may be facing difficulties. There may even

be a drop in trade, investment, and official aid. This may

become so even with the booming outsourcing industry.

Most of the infrastructures supposed to be im-

plemented in early 2011 will finally push through next

year. They will also be functional almost simultaneously.

Because of this, there may be a sudden increase in over-

all investments. Although the government was criticized

for the delays, optimism may be expressed that the

economy will grow at a much faster pace.

As can be seen, there are both positive and neg-

ative expectations regarding the economic standing and

growth of the Philippines. The country’s development

plan details that the efforts will be made to reduce the

budget deficit, while at the same time it has not yet ad-

dressed the issues related to competitiveness of export

and spending for infrastructure to entice the private

sector into making more investments. This may seem to

slow the reduction of the deficit, since the government

will be spending more, but if the investors know that

the need is there and can see the prudent spending,

they will not take it out on the government.

Despite the many political issues that surface in

2011 that may affect economic growth, Filipinos can still

look forward to a good future. This will only be if the

government will stay true to the development plan and,

if they cannot fully achieve the goals, at least get close

enough to matter. Natural disasters and doomsday

prophecies notwithstanding, 2012 is looking to be a

year of changes. Changes that can be seen either way:

glass half full or glass half empty. With so many other

problems facing the country, Filipinos better hope that

the said changes will be for the better.

MAS MA-

GANDA

EDITORIAL

DRAWING

ROOM FOR ONE MORE? World at its Significant 7 Billion

Population

KIMBERLY JOYCE C. ACLAN

Recently, news came all over de-

claring that the world’s population had

reached a whopping 7 billion. United

Nations acknowledged last October 31

Philippines’ baby Danica Camacho as the

significant 7 billionth baby.

But after the title has been given

to baby Danica, claims have been made

by other countries that their babies are

the real symbolic additional to this plan-

et.

Behind all the festivities and lav-

ish ceremonies being conducted in the

Philippines for baby Danica, as well as in

India’s baby Nargis and some other

parts of the world claiming such title,

the real question here is can our mother

earth truly be able to cope with such

high number of people?

Reaching this symbolic milestone

of 7 million people only lead us to the

realization that numbers as little or as

enormous as they may be should be well

thought of especially if it concerns socie-

ty’s welfare. Let us admit the fact that

we are no longer certain that the availa-

bility of food, clean water or even shel-

ter would be good enough for the indi-

viduals’ continuous existence.

The leader of the U.N. Population Fund,

Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, a Nigerian

obstetrician-gynecologist mentioned

that in some countries where population

growth is outpacing economic growth,

reproductive health services are justly needed.

This new mark does not promote or give

emphasis to artificial birth control as an option to-

wards population cut off, but rather an eye-opener

to pause for a while, think and reflect. 7 billion isn’t

just 7 billion. It’s a huge number that concerns all

of us. In 2024, UN estimated that world population

would reach 8 billion.

If living standards for each person around

the world were brought up to American standards,

humans would need five earths to handle the de-

mand, and that’s a different story.