Republic of the Philippines

SURIGAO DEL SUR STATE UNIVERSITY

Main Campus
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur
GRADUATE SCHOOL

MST- SOCIAL SCIENCE

S.Y. 2015-2016
ASIAN ANTHROPOLOGY
REFLECTION/ REACTION PAPER
I. TITLE: Analysis: DOLE: 1 M jobs await new graduates
II.SOURCE:http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/03/14/1562719/dole-1-m-jobs-awaitnew-graduates
By Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)
III. DATE OF ISSUE: Updated March 14, 2016 - 12:00am
IV. BRIEF SUMMARY OF ARTICLE:
MANILA, Philippines Over a million jobs await new graduates and other
jobseekers, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) maintained yesterday.
Some say there are no jobs in the country. Thats wrong. In the information technology
business process management sector alone, industry players are targeting 1.19 million
direct employments this year. The sector is well poised to meet this target at the rate the
IT-BPM is growing which is faster than the national economys growth rate, Labor
Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said.
Human resource firms have cited a mismatch in the country between job
opportunities and available skills, saying that out of every 1,000 job applicants, only 10
would likely be hired. Baldoz added that DOLE has enhanced Phil-JobNet, the
governments official job search, job matching, and labor market information portal,
enabling jobseekers to find employment faster. She said jobseekers will be delighted at
the portal which could be accessed on a 24/7 basis for free.

V. Reflection
Job-hunting has been always a battle of our new graduates and jobseekers here
in our country. New graduates every year felt that there are no jobs await them right after
their graduation and such a dilemma hampering them to find a job here in the
Philippines. Amidst such complaints from our new graduates and jobseekers, DOLE
stalwartly broadcasted that one (1) million jobs await new graduates. Labor Secretary
Rosalinda Baldoz said, Some say there are no jobs in the country. Thats wrong. In the
information technology business process management sector alone, industry players
are targeting 1.19 million direct employments this year. Perhaps, this information could
then boost the morale of our jobseekers.
However, human resource firms have cited a mismatch in the country between
job opportunities and available skills, saying that out of every 1,000 job applicants, only
10 would likely be hired. To address the problem of the so called mismatch job the
DOLE has enhanced Phil-JobNet, the governments official job search, job matching,
and labor market information portal, enabling jobseekers to find employment faster. This
news could for sure boost the morale of our new graduates and jobseekers. DOLE
bosses, as well as our government, should always do their best to produce and help our
graduates to propose jobs and this news is worth commending.

VI. Conclusion
Despite the allegations of some that theres no job awaits our new graduates,
DOLE proudly announced publicly that one (1) million jobs await them. Baldoz said the
countrys pool of human talents is one of the primary attractions for foreign investors to
set up shop here. DOLE has enhanced Phil-JobNet to prevent the mismatch

employment, Phil-JobNet, the governments official job search, job matching, and labor
market information portal, enabling jobseekers to find employment faster.
Jobseekers will be delighted at the portal which could be accessed on a 24/7
basis for free. It also offers interactivity for easy reading and navigation, and has been
improved with more efficient features and functionalities. Phil-JobNet can now also
provide applicants feedback on the results of their job interviews, upload certificates and
licenses as well as receive email alerts on job matches, updates and announcements.
This news brings happiness to some but still one (1) million jobs await them are not
adequate to suffice all our millions of millions graduates and jobseekers.

VII. Recommendation
This announcement made by DOLE conveys happiness to some new graduates
and jobseekers. However, we cannot deny that this one (1) million jobs await them are
not satisfactory to avail all our millions graduates and jobseekers there. Nevertheless,
this effort from our DOLE sector could still boost our composure that it can help our new
graduates and jobseekers especially those deserving one to land a job. The Phil-JobNet
is very commendable, jobseekers can use their social networking accounts such as
Facebook and LinkedIn, to access the enhanced Phil-JobNet which has advanced
search functionalities that filter vacancies by location, industry, company name, salary,
and type of employment. This is a great avenue to prevent the so called mismatch
employment and could help our jobseekers to be employed rightly according to their
suited skills and qualifications. DOLE bosses, as well as our government, should always
do their best to yield more jobs and assist our graduates to offer convenient
employments.

Republic of the Philippines

SURIGAO DEL SUR STATE UNIVERSITY
Main Campus
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur
GRADUATE SCHOOL

MST- SOCIAL SCIENCE

S.Y. 2015-2016
ASIAN ANTHROPOLOGY
REFLECTION/ REACTION PAPER
I. TITLE: Analysis: Childhood poverty linked to brain changes related to depression
II.SOURCE: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/305208.php
Written by Honor Whiteman
III. DATE OF ISSUE: Tuesday 19 January 2016
IV. BRIEF SUMMARY OF ARTICLE:
First study author Deanna M. Barch, PhD, chair of the Department of
Psychological & Brain Sciences in Arts & Sciences, and colleagues published their
findings in The American Journal of Psychiatry. The study builds on previous research
from the team published last year, which found that children raised in poverty have
reduced gray and white matter volumes in the brain, compared with those raised in
richer families. Additionally, they found that such brain changes were linked to poorer
academic achievement.
For this latest study, the team set out to investigate whether childhood poverty
may also lead to brain changes that influence mood and risk of depression, given that
children raised in poorer families tend to be at higher risk of psychiatric illness and have
worse cognitive and educational outcomes. Poorer preschool children at greater
depression risk aged 9 or 10.

The researchers found that these weakened brain connections among preschool
children raised in poverty were associated with greater risk of clinical depression at the
age of 9 or 10. While the team's earlier research found that it may be possible to
overcome some changes in brain structure linked to poverty - by improving a child's
home environment, for example - no such association was identified in this latest study.

V. Reflection
This article presents that children raised in poor circumstances are likely to have
altered brain connectivity. Such kids tend to have poorer cognitive and educational
outcomes and are also at a higher risk for psychiatric illnesses, including depression and
anti-social behaviour. Poverty is one of the most powerful forecasters of poor
developmental outcomes for children. Henceforth, this study is really significant
especially to our government and to all the families; these findings should be addressed
to them and do some intervention programs so that children who are at a higher risk will
be lessened.

VI. Conclusion

Many negative consequences are linked to growing up poor, and researchers at

Washington University St. Louis have identified one more: altered brain connectivity.
Children from poorer families are more likely to experience changes in brain connectivity
that put them at higher risk of depression, compared with children from more affluent
families. Such children tend to have poorer cognitive and educational outcomes and are
also at a higher risk for psychiatric illnesses, including depression and anti-social
behaviour.

However, poverty doesn't put a child on a predetermined trajectory, but it

behooves us to remember that adverse experiences early in life are influencing the
development and function of the brain. And if we hope to intervene, we need to do it
early so that we can help shift children onto the best possible developmental trajectories.

VII. Recommendation

Many things can be done to foster brain development and positive emotional
development. Previous research by the same team suggested improvements in a childs
home environment could help reduce some of the brain effects of poverty. This may
suggest reducing childhood poverty could mitigate depression risk; researchers caution
that it does not necessarily mean poverty directly causes depression in children. The
right early interventions, they say, could still make a significant difference. Home support,
good childs healthy-home environment and family care towards their children should be
established so that these brain changes related to depression and poor cognitive and
educational outcomes will be resolved.

Republic of the Philippines

SURIGAO DEL SUR STATE UNIVERSITY
Main Campus
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur
GRADUATE SCHOOL

MST- SOCIAL SCIENCE

S.Y. 2015-2016
ASIAN ANTHROPOLOGY
REFLECTION/ REACTION PAPER
I. TITLE: Analysis: Govt workers get pay hike, President issues EO authorizing increase
II.SOURCE:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/766435/govt-workers-get-pay-hike#ixzz47PN1xVl8
BY Nikko Dizon, Tarra Quismondo and Kristine Felisse Mangunay
III. DATE OF ISSUE: February 20, 2016
IV. BRIEF SUMMARY OF ARTICLE:
It was one homecoming that government workers particularly enjoyed. Hardly
had President Benigno Aquino III warmed his seat back in Manila on Friday after
attending the two-day Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in the
United States when he signed the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) that would raise the
salaries of some 1.5 million government employees. President signed EO 201
"Modifying the Salary Schedule for Civilian Government Personnel and Authorizing the
Grant of Additional Benefits for both Civilian and Military and Uniformed Personnel."
President Benigno Aquino III signed the executive order (EO) granting a pay hike for
government workers and additional benefits for civilian and military uniformed personnel.

However, not everyone was cheering on the executive order. Vice President
Jejomar Binay, who had previously described the President as heartless for refusing to
increase the Social Security pension, again criticized the government for the timing of
the pay raise. The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) standard-bearer let out a
meaningful laugh when asked about the executive order signed barely three months
before the May national elections. Pampa-pogi, syempre (its meant to make
government look good, of course), Binay said, adding that the wage hike was a way to
court votes. Also unimpressed about the wage hike was a coalition of government
workers unions, that issued a statement describing the pay hike scheme as unjust,
inequitable, and abolishes Magna Carta benefits, and the EO as a bid by the Liberal
Party to gain pogi (brownie) points in the coming elections.

V. Reflection
It is good to know that the president signed an Executive Order No. 201 after the
congress failed to approve the proposed bill that would give government workers the
wage hike that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) had announced in
November 2015. The raise could encourage people to stay in government rather than
transfer to the private sector, where the pay is generally higher. On the average,
government employees receive 55 percent of what those in the private sector are
getting, adding that the pay hike would help government attract and retain competent
and committed civil servants.
The pay hike was a big morale booster and incentive for government
employees to strive to do more. The timing is just right. Our salary really needs to be
increased, due with the rising cost of commodities. It was still a welcome development
for government employees and we should rather not give it any political color.
Government employees deserve pay hike and it help them to improve their services.

VI. Conclusion
The President of the Republic of the Philippines, Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III has
issued EO No. 201 increasing the pay of government employees months after Congress
failed to ratify a new Salary Standardization Law (SSL). However, the said Executive
Order No. 201 was welcomed by some with questionable attitude and given by some
with political color for it was issued untimely, claimed Binay. Also unimpressed about the
wage hike was a coalition of government workers unions, that issued a statement
describing the pay hike scheme as unjust, inequitable, and abolishes Magna Carta
benefits, and the EO as a bid by the Liberal Party to gain pogi (brownie) points in the
coming elections. Whether the President has a hidden reason why such he issued that
EO No, 21, still the government employees/ workers deserve such pay hike, whether it is
untimely or timely.

VII. Recommendation
The President is commendable for his swift and decisive action to propose the
Salary Standardization Law of 2015 (SSL 2015). This action by the President, issuing
EO authorizing increase wage, will help our government workers and additional benefits
for civilian and military uniformed personnel. Despite those critics from Vice President
Binay and others, people should not put any malice or any political color instead
appreciate the advantages it could bring to our government employees, covered such
pay hike. The salary really needs to be increased, it is very timely due to our rising cost
of commodities nowadays, and this will help a lot to our employees and make them to
strive harder and in return, do good services to its citizenry.

Republic of the Philippines

SURIGAO DEL SUR STATE UNIVERSITY
Main Campus
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur
GRADUATE SCHOOL

MST- SOCIAL SCIENCE

S.Y. 2015-2016
ASIAN ANTHROPOLOGY
REFLECTION/ REACTION PAPER
I. TITLE: Analysis: Is the Philippines really the most corrupt nation in Asia?
II.SOURCE:
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/128395/is-the-philippines-really-the-mostcorrupt-nation-in-asia#ixzz47PDrIqqK
By: Rodel Rodis @inquirerdotnet
III. DATE OF ISSUE: 01:33 AM September 16th, 2015
IV. BRIEF SUMMARY OF ARTICLE:
One of the most shared articles on Facebook, was a news item that first
appeared on PhilippinesLifestyle.com on August 15, 2015 entitled New York Times
Says Philippines Most Corrupt Out of Any Asian Nation, Survey Says as authored
by Timothy Walker, the websites owner. According to Walkers article, Under the
shadow of a new survey, the New York Times considers the Philippines as the most
corrupt country in the Asian region. The survey said The Philippines has the distinction
of being perceived in the worst light this year. But, despite his disclaimer that he did not
make the news, the problem is that the author did literally make the news. Walker
plagiarized an article which originally appeared in the New York Times on March 13,
2007 by Carlos Conde entitled Philippines most corrupt, survey says and simply
refurbished it.

What Walker did was to slightly tweak Condes article and make it appear that
the corruption survey was only conducted this year and that the New York Times article
about the survey was only published in August of 2015 and not in 2007. Apparently, no
one called out Walker or his publication for his plagiarism and false claims. So Walkers
lie spread like a virus not only in the Internet but also in the print media. A Philippine Star
columnist, Bobit Avila, used Walkers false news article, ironically without attributing it to
him, and reported in his Shooting Straight column on August 20, 2015 (Under Noy,
Philippines most corrupt in Asia):last Aug. 11th, the New York Times featured a highly
embarrassing article that put the Philippines on top of Asias most corrupt economies.
Now, has there been a change in the level of corruption in the Philippines since
the New York Times survey appeared in March of 2007? According to Ralph Jennings of
Forbes.com in his March 2, 2015 article Why Graft is Declining in the Notoriously
Corrupt Philippines, the answer is yes, quoting Rahul Bajoria, a regional economist
with Barclays in Singapore, who reports that systems and processes have become
more transparent, and its largely reflected in government projects.
Corruption has decreased dramatically because of Aquinos tighter rules on
transparency and government transactions, says Benedict Uy, a Philippine trade
representative. The decline in dirty deals began after he took office, analysts in Manila
say, Jennings wrote. But Jennings does not attribute this decline to Pres. Aquino. Not
to discredit Aquino, but more credit goes to social media, Jennings asserts, the
democratic country is rich in competing interests and free speech. Now with the surge in
smartphone cameras and mobile devices, an opponent who sees someone in office take
money or drive a bling-y new car can send a tweet or post the dirt to Facebook.

V. Reflection
We have a culture of graft and corruption, and we cannot deny it. The ultimate
question is, Is the Philippines really the most corrupt nation in Asia? The articles
spread like a virus written by Walker, Conde and Avila should be meticulously furnished
before publishing it on the media. Journalists should know and uphold the so called
journalism creed. The fact is that, corruption is rampant everywhere, in every nation in
Asia and the like. Corruption is a problem in the Philippines but is certainly not the most
corrupt country in Asia. Lets admit our government platform is very weak. Leadership
members fall prey to committing such acts because of the color of money. It now boils to
a point that most of these people aspire for the position because of the lucrative
opportunity of corruption. Its no longer service & sincerity. Thailand also has its
problems with corruption but the Thais tend not to sensationalize it and instead focus of
promoting their country in a positive way.
It does not matter if the Philippines is indeed the most corrupt or the second or
third most corrupt or whatsoever. What matters is that we should not stop fighting it. By
exposing it, or in the case of the inaccurate Walkers news exaggerate it, everyone is
now very aware and hopefully become more vigilant to combat it.

VI. Conclusion
The article written by Walker on August 15, 2015 entitled New York Times Says
Philippine Most Corrupt Out of Any Asian Nation, Survey Says cited that under the
shadow of new survey, the New York Times considers the Philippines as the most
corrupt country in the Asian region, it spread like a virus and one of the most shared
articles on Facebook. Fortunately, it was found out that this article published by Walker

was plagiarized from Carlos Condes article on March 13, 2007 entitled Philippines
most corrupt, survey says. What Walker did was to slightly twist Condes article and
make it appear that the corruption survey was only conducted this year and that the New
York Times article about the survey was only published in August of 2015 and not in
2007.
Apparently, no one called out Walker or his publication for his plagiarism and
false claims. So Walkers lie spread like a virus not only in the Internet but also in the
print media. Also, a Philippine Star columnist, Bobit Avila, used Walkers false news
article, ironically without attributing it to him, and reported in his Shooting Straight
column on August 20, 2015 (Under Noy, Philippines most corrupt in Asia):last Aug.
11th, the New York Times featured a highly embarrassing article that put the Philippines
on top of Asias most corrupt economies. This is a testimony of the total failure of Pres.
Benigno Aquino IIIs so-called Daang Matuwid. Since the New York Times is not part
and parcel of the Yellow propaganda machinery of the Aquinos, the whole world now
knows how corrupt we Filipinos have become under the Aquino Regime.
No one seems to have bothered to inform Mr. Avila of his error. Not that it would
have mattered but he should have checked the New York Times to determine if there
was such an article that appeared in its August 11, 2015 issue about its corruption
survey. Apparently, Mr. Avila just deduced the date from the fact that Mr. Walkers piece
came out on August 15 and in it, he referred to the New York Times article as having just
appeared on the most recent Tuesday so he subtracted the days and came out with
August 11.
The article Is the Philippines really the most corrupt nation in Asia? somehow
brings a fight for Filipinos who are truly concerned of this corruption and scrutiny goes
on.

VII. Recommendation
The issue about Philippine corruption is neither new nor shocking. However,
being labeled as numero uno in the most corrupt nation in Asia is not a joke. Funny it
was, but luckily the said Walkers article was found out as plagiarized from the article
that was reserved on March 13, 2007 by Conde. Despite it spread fast like a virus on
Facebook and print media and brought some negative feedbacks from the myriad critics,
it still brings good points for us Filipinos to be more critical and vigilant citizens of our
nation. Social media are there to ring the bells, so people try to be very careful in how
they do things. Graft remains but it has gone down significantly and we opt to keep the
fight bulls-eye to end this fatigued, grafts and corruption.
All of our journalists like Walker and Avila should be careful on publishing articles
that cover critical issues. Why bother checking the facts first before circulating it? These
issues about whos the most corrupt nation in Asia are eye-openers for us Filipinos to
participate in nations building through combatting corruptions. The rank doesnt matter
what matter most is how to stop this undying corruption in our system.

Republic of the Philippines

SURIGAO DEL SUR STATE UNIVERSITY
Main Campus
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur
GRADUATE SCHOOL

MST- SOCIAL SCIENCE

S.Y. 2015-2016
ASIAN ANTHROPOLOGY
REFLECTION/ REACTION PAPER
I. TITLE: Analysis: Overseas Filipino voters could swing May elections
II.SOURCE:
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/137713/overseas-filipino-voters-could-decide-mayelections#ixzz47PGqYe9Y
By: Marvin Bionat @inquirerdotnet (INQUIRER.net U.S. Bureau)
III. DATE OF ISSUE: 11:38 PM March 14th, 2016
IV. BRIEF SUMMARY OF ARTICLE:
There are now 1.38 million overseas Filipino voters, according to the Philippines
Commission on Elections (Comelec). Its a critical mass that now puts the overseas vote
in the same league as the top ten vote-rich provinces in the Philippines and positions
overseas Filipinos as a potential swing vote in the coming May elections. There was
great excitement among advocates and supporters of the political empowerment of
overseas Filipinos when the absentee voting bill was finally passed into law in 2003.
Based on records, only 364,187 overseas Filipinos actually registered to vote for
the 2004 elections. That level of participation was quite low considering there were an
estimated seven million overseas Filipinos at the time. In addition, voter turnout was just
65 percent, much lower than the 75 percent turnout in the Philippines. The succeeding
two elections saw a steady increase in the number of registered voters, but the numbers

were still way below expectations. The 2006 registration campaign raised the total to
504,124 voters. Worse, turnout in the 2007 elections plummeted to just 16 percent.
Interest in that election year was expected to be less because it was not a presidential
election, but the drop in turnout was alarmingly steep.
For the 2010 presidential elections, Comelec scheduled a 7-month registration
period. The total number of registered voters, after purging lists of those who had not
voted for two consecutive elections, was 589,830just a slight increase from 2007.
Turnout was 26 percent, an improvement from 2007 but still very low. This was the
election year when President Benigno Aquino was voted into office. He was leading in all
polls by double digits, so the lack of serious competition did not help turn out the
overseas vote.
With four election cycles under their belt, the Comelec and DFA seem to have
become more adept at orchestrating broader participation. The overseas voter
registration campaign launched in 2015 upped the total number of registered voters to
1.38 million. Thats an impressive 42-percent jump from 2013. Can the now 1.38 millionstrong overseas Filipino voters be a deciding factor in the May national elections? If they
were a province, overseas voters would make it to the list of the countrys top 10 voterich provinces, just under Rizal (ranked #8), which has 1.4 million voters, and ranking
higher than Iloilo and Nueva Ecija with their 1.34 and 1.3 million voters, respectively.

V. Reflection

Glad to know that theres now a Republic Act No. 9189, also known as The
Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003, it provides a system of honest and orderly
overseas absentee voting that upholds the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot. Through
this, the government ensures equal opportunity to all qualified Philippine citizens living
abroad, so that they can exercise this fundamental right. Henceforth, it is great feeling

that more from our overseas Filipinos now are actively participating in electoral process.
With over 1.8 million Filipino overseas absentee voters across the world, I strongly
believe that these Filipinos will play a major role in influencing the results of the
Philippine national elections in May 09, 2016.
I strongly believe that the overseas absentee voters may help decide who the
next Philippine president will be and their votes could really swing and affect the May
elections if all of these 1.38 million voters will participate. Since overseas Filipinos are
considered to be their familys bread winners, it is not a stretch to surmise that each
overseas Filipino can influence the vote of at least three family members. Thus, the 1.38
million active registered overseas voters are roughly equivalent to 5.2 million votes. This
is a definite game changer for Philippine politics. The overseas Filipino voters could
have made a difference in choosing the right candidates to man our country.

VI. Conclusion
OFWs comprise around ten percent of the Philippine population or an estimated
15 million Filipinos. Some OFWs now have the opportunity to vote through the Overseas
Voting Program. There are currently 1.38 million Filipinos abroad registered and entitled
to participate in the upcoming May elections. Considering that the Philippine population
is now over 100 million, it may seem sensible to ignore Filipinos overseas and focus on
the local population.
However, considering how tight competition is, getting the OFW votes may be
what could swing it in favor of whoever leads the presidential race. Recent Comelec
records showed that the turnout of overseas absentee voters in the 2007 and 2013
midterm polls were both only 16 percent. With so much at stake in the coming elections,
officials are appealing to Filipino overseas voters to exercise their right to vote. If they
want change, then they must participate in the coming elections for their voice must be
heard.

VII. Recommendation

There are now 1.38 million overseas Filipino voters, according to the Philippines
Commission on Elections (Comelec). Certainly, the overseas vote can be critical in close
contests, which seem to characterize the current presidential, vice presidential and
senate races. If these Overseas Filipino voters care about the Philippines, if they want
the next president and vice-president to really lead the nation toward progress, peace
and order with integrity and honesty then these voters should actively participate in the
coming election. Let your voice be heard and your vote be counted!
In addition, it is a call to others OFW workers who failed to register this year that
they should exercise their suffragethe right to vote and they should be registered for
the next elections to come. If in May if it stays at a low 26 percent as in the 2010
presidential elections, or even lower at 16 percent as in 2007, then the Overseas Filipino
true influence will be greatly diminished and put in vain. The right to vote is every
Filipino's right.

Republic of the Philippines

SURIGAO DEL SUR STATE UNIVERSITY
Main Campus
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur
GRADUATE SCHOOL

MST- SOCIAL SCIENCE

S.Y. 2015-2016
ASIAN ANTHROPOLOGY
REFLECTION/ REACTION PAPER
I. TITLE: Analysis: Inflation hits all-time low anew
II.SOURCE: http://www.philstar.com/business/2015/10/06/1507800/inflation-hits-all-timelow-anew
By Rosette Adel (philstar.com)
III. DATE OF ISSUE: Updated October 6, 2015 - 3:56pm
IV. BRIEF SUMMARY OF ARTICLE:
MANILA, Philippines The National Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA) on Tuesday reported headline inflation recording another all-time low of 0.4
percent in September. The Philippine Statistics Authority said the headline inflation rate
continued to dip from 0.6 percent in August to 0.4 percent in September. It was 4.4
percent the same month last year. NEDA said the tempered price movement in food,
power and oil rates caused inflation to hit yet another low level.
We expect the current low inflation environment exhibited in the first nine months
of 2015 to persist throughout the rest of the year, more so, as international oil prices
continue to remain low and are not expected to increase significantly in the near term,
Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said. According to NEDA, the food
subgroup declined from 1.1 percent to 0.7 percent in September due to slower price

adjustments in majority of its sub-items which include breads, cereals, fish, fruits and
rice.
Balisacan stressed that the government should remain cautious of the risks to
inflation such as El Nio even if there are low oil prices to push for upside inflationary
pressures.

V. Reflection
It is a double-sided feeling, happy and worried, upon knowing the inflation rate in
our country as it keeps on dropping. It is not bad, but also not good. Lower energy, food,
and oil prices restrained inflation anew to an all-time low of 0.4% September 2015,
according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). The Philippine
Statistics Authority said the headline inflation rate continued to dip from 0.6 percent in
August to 0.4 percent in September. It was 4.4 percent the same month last year.
However, Balisacan noted there is still an upside risk to inflation from the expected
onslaught of the El Nio in the country in the coming months until early 2016.
Glad to know that NEDA is spearheading the government task force on El Nio,
and has started drafting the Roadmap to Address the Impact of El Nio (RAIN). We need
to reinforce our El Nio preparations to ensure food security. The strong collaboration of
the national government, local government units, and the private sector is essential to
the success of efforts to mitigate the effects of El Nio. An undesirable inflation is really a
problem when this occurs in a poor country like our country, the Philippines, although
plans and policies are created to improve the standards of living of the people.

VI. Conclusion

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on Tuesday reported

headline inflation recording another all-time low of 0.4 percent in September. The
Philippine Statistics Authority said the headline inflation rate continued to dip from 0.6
percent in August to 0.4 percent in September. It was 4.4 percent the same month last
year. NEDA said the tempered price movement in food, power and oil rates caused
inflation to hit yet another low level.
However, Balisacan noted there is still an upside risk to inflation from the
expected onslaught of the El Nio in the country in the coming months until early 2016.
NEDA is spearheading the government task force on El Nio, and has started drafting
the Roadmap to Address the Impact of El Nio (RAIN). We need to reinforce our El Nio
preparations to ensure food security. The strong collaboration of the national
government, local government units, and the private sector is essential to the success of
efforts to mitigate the effects of El Nio.

VII. Recommendation
As the inflation rate goes down and down and theres a mayhem brought by the
El Nio in our country, the government must ensure that food supply is sufficient by
improving the level of inventories and efficiency of the distribution system. Continued
monitoring of drought occurrence in agricultural areas is necessary to ensure timely
policy actions, including importation of rice and other basic commodities to augment
domestic supply. The government may hire more agricultural workers and expand
agriculture support structures to address the cost of transporting goods and services and
diminish farm output losses.