There has been much hand-washing among our legislators on TRAIN 1. The unfortunate part about this is they were responding to fake news.

Much of this is likely limbic (also referred to as lizard and “fight or flight”) thinking which has sadly characterized much of discourse lately, fanned by social media and live news. Tweets, live feeds, and text messages or phone calls for instant reactions. They discourage deliberate thought grounded on evidence and serious research, which at the same time educate the public.

Integrated Public-Private Partnership (PPP) means the construction then operation and maintenance (O&M) phases will be done by a single entity while Hybrid PPP means the construction is done by one entity, the O&M to be done by another entity. Funding of the former therefore will be fully shouldered by that entity while in Hybrid PPP, construction cost to be funded via ODA/foreign loan or Philippine government budget appropriation, O&M by a local private firm.

THE Philippines appears on track to sustain its growth path, although an uncertain global landscape coupled with domestic political risk could dampen prospects, an economist said.

Hal Hill, professor emeritus of Southeast Asian Economies at the Australia National University, said pockets of instability on both the domestic and external fronts could weigh on the country’s growth momentum, particularly if timely reforms are not installed by government.

The Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC) announced the conduct of the 9th National Social Science Congress (NSSC 9) on 20-22 February 2020 in General Santos City.

In a bid to encourage economists to bridge the gender gap within their ranks and incorporate gender into their economic research in South East Asia, Investing in Women, an initiative of the Australian Government, is engaging economic associations in the region in two major conferences in November.

As a major sponsor of the 56th Philippine Economic Society (PES) Annual Meeting and Conference on 8 November, Investing in Women is organising a breakout session. On 9 November, it will lead a plenary session at the 43rd Federation of ASEAN Economic Associations (FAEA) Conference.