Taking a longer look back on rice imports, palay, and rice prices
Most of the analysis done on the impact of the rice tariffication law make use of fairly recent data, as in what happened to rice imports, palay and rice prices in 2019. It may be useful to look slightly farther back, say in the last 10 to 15 years.
Twilight of the rule of law
The MWSS decision constitutes a rape of the rule of law even if the concessionaires decided to hold their horses. If left to stand, it establishes a precedent that a guilty party can reap political pogi points by scapegoating a vulnerable party.
The minimum wage and economic progress
Unrealistic or excessive demands concerning minimum wage could escalate into unproductive outcomes for all involved. Unfortunately, in our present case, where the good jobs are less plentiful in relation to all the workers seeking to fill them, the imposition of high minimum wages will only cause loss of jobs for many workers.
Conglomerates and inclusion
Whether it is banking, real estate, retail and supermarket trade, food service, broadcasting and media, power generation, energy, infrastructure -- you name it, conglomerates are in it. Is conglomerate dominance to be feared? No, on the contrary.
Competition, regulation and institutional quality
Regulation and competition policy are two alternative modalities by which the state intervenes in the market. In order for either to deliver welfare gains, there must first be a pre-existing market failure.
Endo, wages, poverty, and employment-labor market issues
It is a paradox, but it is true. Measures that appear to be modest in terms of labor policy will allow us the greatest flexibility in achieving more development and improve the welfare of labor. This is borne out by the experience of many countries in our neighborhood.
Contractualization of labor as 2016 election issue
Mayor Duterte, candidate for president, made a big splash on labor market issues when he said that if elected, he would put an end to the “contractualization of labor.” He said contractualization would kill the development of Philippine labor skills.
One step back, two steps forward in the power industry
“One step back, two steps forward,” was Mao Zedong’s favorite tactical advice. Sometimes, one step back is the best way forward. One such episode was connected with Oct. 27. That was the date set by law for the issuance of the Implementing Rules and Regulations for DoE Circular 2015-06-008.
Fair compensation and other prerequisites to mining for development
The challenge of mineral-based development is ensuring that the returns from extraction are invested in human capital and infrastructure to support development and ensure long-term benefit from the activities. Strong government regulations should also be in place to reduce damage to the environment.
Retail competition at the gas and diesel pumps
The Oil Deregulation Law – or Republic Act 8180 – was signed on Feb. 10, 1998. This week then marks the 17th year of implementation of a law that takes away from the government the direct fixing of fuel prices.
Metro Manilans are the favored offspring
The following information may help to shed more light on the raging controversy over the LRT and MRT fare increases. These are the cold, hard facts.
Sticking my neck out
The operation of the MRT is on the hot seat, and so is its boss, Al S. Vitangcol. I may be sticking my neck out, but if this man is corrupt, I am blind, deaf and dumb.
