De La Salle University - Manila

Public Affairs

2nd General Meeting of the Poverty and Economic Policy (PEP) Research Network

Date: November 4-8, 2003

DLSU-AKI, in cooperation with the Centre Interuniversiaire sur le Risque, les Politiques Economiques te I'Emploi (CIRPEE), Universite' Laval-Canada and the National Economic University of Vietnam, organized the Second General Meeting of the Poverty and Economic Policy (PRP) Research Network held on November 4-8, 2003 at Hanoi, Vietnam.

The La Salle delegation in the conference was led by DLSU-AKI Executive Director Dr. Ponciano S. Intal, Jr., and by PEP Co-Director Dr. Celia Reyes, who heads the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) International Network Project, one of the sub-networks of PEP. Other participants from DLSU-AKI were Anne Bernadette Mandap and Jasminda Asirot.

The general meeting, which was participated in by policy analysts and experts from several developing countries in Asia, Africa, North and South America and Europe, was organized to present, discuss and evaluate PEP proposals and reports, and to allow researchers to work with resource persons and participate in training activities.

The overall goal of the PEP Research Network, which is financed by the International Development Research Center (IDRC)-Canada, is to assist developing countries to reduce poverty through better macroeconomic policies and micro-level interventions.

3rd Young Economists Convention

Date: January 23-24, 2004

Hundreds of economics students coming from different parts of the country gathered at the Angelo King International Center last January 23 and 24 to attend the 3rd Young Economists Convention, which was jointly organized by DLSU-AKI, the DLSU-Economics Organization (ECONORG) and the Junior Philippine Economics Society (JPES), with the generous support of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Anthony Aguirre Memorial Foundation. The event was graced by prominent personalities led by Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr., House Speaker Jose de Venecia, and NEDA Director General Romulo Neri.

On the first day, there were two panel discussions. The first was on Fiscal Federalism and the second was on "Economic Effects of Constitutional Change". The third panel discussion on "Parliamentary versus Presidential Form of Government" took place on the second day.

The two-day event included several workshop sessions, during which the students were able to interact with each other.

Other highlights include the presentation of the launching of "Essays on Philippine Colonial Economy" by DLSU-AKI Executive Director Ponciano S. Intal, Jr., the presentation of student themes, and the awarding ceremonies of the Anthony Aguirre Memorial Foundation Best Undergraduate Thesis in Economics.

Public Presentation of the Society, Economy and Philippine Development: Towards a Social Market

Date: March 10, 2004

Economy Framework for Philippine Development
Organized by DLSU-AKI and sponsored by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAF), a public presentation that highlighted a proposed Philippine development model and agenda for reform was held last March 10 at the Angelo King International Center. Around a hundred participants coming from various sectors of society, including representatives of major presidential candidates and media correspondents, attended the presentation.

This development model, outlined in a document coined as "The Integrative Report", was prepared by two economics professors from DLSU-Manila, namely, Dr. Ponciano Intal, Jr. (Executive Director, DLSU-AKI) and Mr. Gerardo Largoza (Asst. Prof., Economics Dept., DLSU-Manila), with inputs from a multi-sectoral, interdisciplinary group of prominent individuals coming from key sectors who met in a series of roundtable discussions throughout the latter half of last year. The Integrative Report contains a section that spells out a Reform Agenda with provisions for the First 100 Days of the newly elected government after the elections in May.

Among the highlights of the event is the welcoming remarks delivered by the Vice President of the Republic, His Excellency Teofisto Guingona, Jr. Those who attended in behalf of the presidentiables include Presidential Chief of Staff Rigoberto Tiglao(for Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo), former 3-term representative Miguel Romero (for Mr. Fernando Poe, Jr.), former NEDA Director General Cielito Habito (for Mr. Eddie Villanueva), and Alyansa ng Pag-asa Deputy Campaign Manager Gary Olivar (for Sec. Raul Roco). Atty. Ricardo "Dong" Puno, Jr., a recent member of the DLSU-AKI Board of Trustees , acted as moderator during the panel discussion. Representatives from local television stations and print media also covered the event.