Introduction

As among the last batch of students that have undertaken the course in Practicum
as part of the AB Economics Program Curriculum, I have been able to grab the
opportunity to actually apply my academic training experience for three years to
the workplace experience in the real world. The course has provided me the venue
to further enhance my knowledge and competencies as an economics student in my
chosen field of specialization and future career objectives after Graduation. As a
student trainee, I have been able to take advantage of the tools and skills I have
been equipped by my intensive academic formation in the university, to be
competent enough in pursuing the different opportunities available for us in the
outside world to be able to contribute and actively participate in the endeavours of
actual work experience.
Practicum Experience
My objective was to be able to obtain an on the job training position where I can
effectively apply my critical and analytical skills from my academic training
experience as an economics student who has a special interest in the fields of policy
and business research as well as banking and finance. With this goal in mind, I
pursued my application to be a student trainee at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
Fortunately, my application was accepted by the Monetary Policy Sub-Sector
(MPSS). I was assigned in the Department of Economic Statistics to be part of the
Monetary and Financial Statistics Group (MFSG), Banking Sub-Group (BA) where I
can best be able to contribute my knowledge and skills as student trainee as well
as to personally improve in my chosen field. I started my on-the-job training in BSP
on Apri
l 18. Maam
Jane Fabia of the Administration Office of MPSS gave me a brief orientation
regarding my 200-hour practicum under the Banking SubGroup where I will be handled by Maam Mary Rose
C. Espina, my Immediate Head as student trainee. I was introduced and welcomed
in the Group where I met Sir Gio Obra, who stood as my Immediate Supervisor. He
gave me an orientation regarding the duties and responsibilities I have been tasked
as their student trainee. Below is an enumeration of the duties and responsibilities I
was expected to accomplish during the schedule and duration of my practicum. 1.

Assistance in the Processing of Credit Reports of Thrift Banks

2.

Assistance in the processing of Statement of Affairs (SOA) of banks under

liquidation. 3.

Assistance in the processing of selected accounts in the SOA which will be used as
data input to matrix developed by the Risk Management Team of the Department of
Economic Research (DER). My schedule started from 8:00am and ended at 5:00pm
every day. My first week at the Bangko Sentral was personally motivating and
enhancing. I have been exposed to the credit report of thrift banks under the watch
of BSP. I was exposed to the preparation of data for analysis regarding the loans
granted and outstanding for Savings and Mortgage Banks (SMBs) as well as Private
Development Banks (PDBs). Among the credit reports of thrift banks I was asked to
work on, I was able to accomplish the processing of generally data provided for the
February and March of 2013. Aside from that, I was also able to observe the
dynamics of organization within the central monetary authority of the Republic of
the Philippines. It was indeed a privilege for me to be a part of the Bangko Sentral
as a student trainee as I was also able to become actively involved at least in a
particular way to a function of Monetary Policy which is within Statistical analysis in
nature. I thought that I would be doing just the same thing for the whole duration of
the practicum experience. But then suddenly, during the April General Assembly of
the Department,
Maam Rosabel B. Guerrero asked the tr
ainees to present for the Asset Watch Report to be conducted in the next General
Assembly which is in May. After 3 weeks, I, together with my fellow trainees, worked
in preparation for the Asset watch presentation.
Maam Mia of the Flow
of Funds (FOF) Sub Group was the one who is in-charged for the presentation. She
guided us in the course of preparing and summarizing the report and asked us to
contribute our own input
particularly in the aspect of economic data analysis explaining the Whys and
Hows of the
situation in the different markets. I was given the assignment to report on the
Equities and Bonds Markets which really motivated me to work hard before going in
front of the whole DES on the day of the presentation. I discussed the Cross-Country

analysis of Price Earnings Ratio of the Philippines comparing with other

neighbouring countries in the region and the participation share to PSE value traded
between foreign and local investors in our Equities market. In the Bonds Market, I
analysed the implications of the data being presented in terms of Corporate Bond

Issuances and Global Bond Issuances and Outstanding Local Currency Government
Bonds and Outstanding Foreign Currency Bonds in time series. Despite the pressure
of given only two days to prepare the report, this experience has really helped me
develop further in my field of interest and career path as an aspiring professional
economist. Afterwards, I was also exposed to the processing of data for the January
to March of 2013 National Government Treasury
Bills/Bonds Authorization under Maam Fe. Then I was
assigned to assist in the Flow of Funds Sub Group since I have already accomplished
the needed TCR (Thrift Banks Credit Report) data processing in MS Excel under the
Banking Sub Group. I was tasked to prepare the data for Statement of Financial
Position (Balance Sheet) and Income Statements of private corporations and its
subsidiaries. Then on my last week, I was able to submit the tasks I have to
accomplish to my respective supervisors. I also assisted in organizing posted bank
reports and general files including the Masterlist of Filed Documents for the years
2010, 2011 and 2012. The overall experience for me was very worthwhile. I was
able to be exposed on certain aspects of statistical work that is done in the Bangko
Sentral. I was also able to contribute my knowledge and competencies for the
accomplishment of particular tasks in the Department. Most importantly, I was able
to interact with a group of people whom I share my interests as an individual. I was
able to improve my leadership skills, communication, social and economic training
for career growth being able to actively work with other people and exchange of
experiences one way and the other. The Practicum as a course made me more
involved in the actual happenings outside the university, which trained me to apply
my theoretical and academic ideals to the methodologies and specific demands of
professional work.
Accomplishment and Contribution
My most important accomplishment and contribution from my practicum to the
Bangko Sentral include:

My participation to the Asset Watch Presentation dealing with the Equities and
Bonds Market.

Assisting in the processing of Credit Report of all Thrift Banks nationwide under the
regulation of the Bangko Sentral.

Preparing the data for analysis of the National Treasury Bills/Bonds Authorization as
well as the State of Financial Position and Income Statements of certain private
corporations.
Competencies Gained and Learning Experience
I have gained further knowledge and skills in statistical analysis as part of the
Department of Economic Statistics, particularly the role of the Bangko Sentral in
regulating banks and private corporations being assigned to both the Banking SubGroup and Flow of Funds Sub-Group