Given adequate information, the market theory assumes that consumers know what is best for themselves; hence, they make choices that maximize their total satisfaction. If this assumption is wrong, markets may not efficiently produce. We call this satisfaction consumers gain from consuming a good or service as “utility”. The satisfaction (or utility) depends on the … Continue reading Pen Point 42
Thoughts
Bakit tayo ‘baliw na baliw’ sa research?
To our dismay, Senator Cynthia Villar’s comment on the Department of Agriculture’s proposed budget for research reflects many people’s poor understanding of the value of research in policy making and in the country’s quest for sustainable development. Research produces valuable impact on society. It provides evidence to support or improve practice, in this case, farming. … Continue reading Bakit tayo ‘baliw na baliw’ sa research?
Pen Point 39
The procurement policies and procedures of the government are not flexible which makes them economically inefficient. Sometimes, this inflexibility becomes a barrier given the varied choices now made available to the market, difficulty in standardizing the specifications of materials to be procured, and the fragmented nature of the market. These guidelines are set to standardize … Continue reading Pen Point 39
Reproductive Health in the Philippines: An Ecological Analysis
Faced by the challenges of a growing population and rapid urbanization, the Philippines has inconsistently acted on issues of population control and reproductive health. Some previous policies on reproductive health and population control where “conservative” and reflective of the Catholic Church’s position on family planning. Under the Arroyo administration, government policy on family planning focused … Continue reading Reproductive Health in the Philippines: An Ecological Analysis
Urban health in the Philippines: a reflection of poverty-related health inequities
Urbanization is rapidly increasing around the world. Data from the United Nations (UN) estimate that by 2050, the world’s population will exceed nine billion, and 67% of which will live in urban areas. Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) believes that half of the world’s population live in cities. Sadly, this proportion is irreversibly growing … Continue reading Urban health in the Philippines: a reflection of poverty-related health inequities
Sugar taxation: revenue or health?
We have a heavy problem with obesity and taxation isn’t the answer. Obesity is one of the major risk factors for a number of chronic, non-communicable diseases including the top leading causes or morbidity and mortality in the Philippines (i.e. diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases)1,2. In 2016, 22.3% of Filipino adults above the age of … Continue reading Sugar taxation: revenue or health?
Thoughts on the lowering of MACR
I cannot seem to understand why there is "clamor" among policy makers to decrease MACR in the Philippines when the global trend is to increase it. I stand with the position of professional and civic groups opposing the proposed measure. First, we need to consider evidence that children below 15 or 12 years old may … Continue reading Thoughts on the lowering of MACR
The Global Burden of Disease and Some Implications to Health Policy in the Philippines
The Global Burden of Diseases Study (GBD) is a collaborative project of about 500 researchers in 50 countries led by the University of Washington Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). It is the world’s largest systematic, scientific inquiry that quantifies the levels and trends of health loss by determining the prevalence, morbidity and mortality … Continue reading The Global Burden of Disease and Some Implications to Health Policy in the Philippines
War on Drugs or War Against the Poor?
Since Duterte’s inauguration as President of the Philippines in 2016, the country has been bombarded by news about extrajudicial killings and human rights violations. Duterte himself, in a number of speeches, encouraged policemen and his allies to track and kill drug users and pushers. More recently, he has advocated lowering the age of criminal liability … Continue reading War on Drugs or War Against the Poor?
Thoughts on the ecology of policy development
The term ‘ecology’ literally means environment. For policy studies, it pertains to the environment under which a public policy is taken. My understanding is anchored on the idea that the environment from which a policy is generated and the environment to where it is intended to be transmitted and implemented are the same. In other … Continue reading Thoughts on the ecology of policy development
Pens & Needles 