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The Philippines has had high levels of unemployment for years. During the 2000s, the unemployment rate hovered between seven and ten percent. High unemployment can have adverse effects on individuals and society. The question that this paper analyses is how unanticipated money growth affect the unemployment situation in the Philippines. There has been literature on the relationship between unanticipated growth on the money supply and unemployment. The paper proposes that only unanticipated money movements will affect real economic variables like unemployment and the output level. In order to test our hypothesis, it is important that we need to quantify the concepts of anticipated and unanticipated money movements. This paper uses time-series data on several economic variables as well as a model based on Geetha et al. (2023). Using an error-correction model, the results show that an unanticipated increase in M2 money is a factor that contributes to unemployment in Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As stipulated in the "K to 12 Program" of the Department of Education, Philippines, the traditional way of teaching and learning should be transformed into electronic learning where ICT skills and technologies are introduced to the 21st-century learners, as well as 21st-century teachers. This paper tried to determine if teaching by utilizing Physics Education Technology (PhET) Simulations can impinge on the mastery of the least learned competencies in General Physics 1. It specifically analyzed the Proficiency level and Performance level in demonstrative applications in Physics. The current study also proposed an enhanced lesson plan exemplar that can be adopted by STEM teachers in teaching Physics. The descriptive method of research was employed in the study. During the investigation, there were 49 Grade 12 STEM students participated. The study concludes that PhET Simulation-Integrated instruction can improve the students' proficiency level on the least mastered competencies in General Physics 1. It also strengthened the claim that PhET Simulations can be a virtual laboratory for assessing students' performance on demonstrative applications. Further, utilizing and integrating PhET Simulations in delivering physics lessons can promote positive and engrossing learning experiences among learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One fundamental issue at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic is the relationship between access to vaccines and intellectual property rights. The purpose of what follows is to advocate for a cosmopolitan interpretation of John Rawls and his Theory of Justice and apply it to the debate on vaccine patent protections. Using the Philippines and other developing countries as the context of analysis, this paper has one main claim—that the vaccine patent waiver is right in the interest of justice, and patent protections must be waived to achieve justice in the distribution of vaccines. The approach here analyzes Rawls’ theories on the nature of justice and equitable distribution and addresses their limitations to establish a framework and justify its use in the vaccine patent debate. Using the Cosmopolitan Principles of Justice (CPJ), a modified version of Rawls’ original framework that can be applied to global justice—lifting patent protections is just because patent protections that block access to health are unjust. CPJ then entails a revision of institutions so as to not perpetuate injustice and to be aligned with social justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The “best interests of the child” (BIC) is the most referenced child rights principle in international law, whereas juvenile justice is the most mentioned topic. This paper examines how countries in Southeast Asia (SEA) interpret BIC in juvenile justice and if their understanding is consistent with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and other international standards and why. It contends that BIC’s indeterminate use led to misinterpretation of child rights and that BIC interpretation is influenced by several factors found within the socio-cultural and political economy of SEA. Using Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand as case studies for their representation of legal and socio-cultural traditions in SEA, this study applies a positivist and constructivist approach to qualitative research using surveys, jurisprudence, documentary research, and interviews with children and justice actors. It finds that CRC’s ratification and laws enacted with BIC therein do not guarantee the full protection of the rights of children in conflict with the law (CICL). It highlights the importance of using BIC cautiously, the value of asking children their BIC, and the need to deconstruct adult overgeneralizations on juvenile justice. As BIC is more than a legal concept, it recommends a constructivist approach in search of common values about childhood and justice across cultures. The study seeks to clarify the academic, legal, and practical interpretation of BIC in juvenile justice and to protect the rights of CICL in SEA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the professional identities of four Filipino English teachers (FETs) who instruct international students at a language academy in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), a special district for the Philippines' globalization. Employing a narrative inquiry approach, data was gathered through individual interviews, and subsequently analyzed using a thematic analysis framework. The findings indicate that the participants assume three distinct roles within the academy. As experts in English language teaching, they consider themselves the equal of, or even superior to, native English-speaking teachers, which they attribute to their language proficiency, pedagogical skills, and content-based teaching. In their role as educational caretakers, they prioritize their students' well-being, providing motivation for English language learning, and offering emotional support. Furthermore, they identify themselves as international teachers, having deliberately chosen BGC as their career destination to foster multiculturalism and global citizenship. This study is of particular significance, as it scrutinizes the roles of FETs, frequently categorized as "non-native teachers," within the context of globalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of Value-Belief-Norm Theory, a prior study revealed that the teaching of disaster risk reduction in existing school curricula is a form of pro-environmental behavior. However, there is limited if any that explored profession-specific values, beliefs, and norms on environmentalism. This paper reports a finding of a study about the possible existence of a distinct profession-specific values, beliefs, and norms in teaching disaster risk reduction. Following a two-phase cross-sectional survey design, 434 public school science teachers from Biliran Province, the Philippines answered an adapted, modified, and content validated questionnaire. Data collected underwent exploratory factor analysis and parallel analysis to determine the initial factor structure and confirmatory factor analysis to confirm the same. Results revealed the existence of distinct profession-specific values, beliefs, and norms in teaching disaster risk reduction that may have implications for environmentalism since schools are at the forefront of many environmental advocacies including environmental awareness, protection, and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural production is a major driver of the Philippine economy. Mass production of animal products, such as livestock and poultry farming, is one of the most prominent players in the field. Filipino farmers use veterinary medicinal products (VMPs) when raising agricultural animals to improve animal growth and prevent diseases. Unfortunately, the extensive use of VMPs, particularly antibiotics, has been linked to drug resistance in animals, particularly antibiotics. Antimicrobial gene products produced in animals due to the prolonged use of VMPs can passed on to humans when they consume animal products. This paper reviews information on the use of VMPs in the Philippines, including the regulations, their impact, challenges, and potential recommendations. The Philippines has existing legislation regulating VMP use. Several agencies were tasked to regulate the use of VMPs, such as the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health, and the Philippine National Action Plan. Unfortunately, there is a challenge to implementing these regulations, which affects consumers. The unregulated use of VMPs influences the transmission of antibiotic residues from animals to crops to humans. This challenge should be addressed, with more focus on stricter regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Down syndrome is the most common form of intellectual disability. However, there is a paucity of educational research focused on this vulnerable segment of learners especially in the present novel situation. This paper aimed to explore how teachers tailor remote special education for children with down syndrome amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. It draws from a phenomenological qualitative study that collected information from online interviews with nine special education teachers handling children with down syndrome. The results revealed five themes: (1) contextualize individual educational plans; (2) meet sensory and movement needs; (3) emotionally connect with children; (4) communicate often with families; and (5) collaborate with community. This study provides practical insight into the enabling practices that teachers use to design the remote special education for children with down syndrome amid the current crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides a comprehensive discussion of changes in the Philippines' South China Sea strategy under the Marcos Jr. government. Since his election in June 2022, the Philippines has implemented a diversified strategy regarding its South China Sea policy and related disputes with China. In striving for its interests and activities in the South China Sea, the Philippines aims to launch hard and soft checks and balances on China at multiple levels, for example, through multilateral military cooperation with the United States, international arbitration, and applying propaganda tactics. This study attempts to deconstruct the specific actions and overall logic of the Philippines' South China Sea policy by comprehensively analyzing international dynamics and domestic changes. It sheds light on the intricate way global geopolitical contests, particularly the intensifying rivalry between China and the United States, are influencing political sentiment and actions within the Philippines. Concurrently, it examines the Philippines' strategic deployment of its South China Sea policy to catalyze international reactions, such as support from the United States, and how this involves recalibrating its internal political and economic landscape. Overall, the paper shows how the Philippines' South China Sea policy seeks an optimal balance among various forces while facing many uncertainties and challenges. • Analysis of transformations in the Philippines' South China Sea strategy under the Marcos Jr. government. • Reveals the implementation of the Marcos Jr. government's multidimensional strategies. • Analyzes the internal logic of the Marcos Jr. government's South China Sea policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examined the fishers' migration in Southwest Panay, Philippines, how it has shaped the small-scale fisheries management in the receiving area, influenced local resource access and utilization, and the potential impacts of the phenomenon on fishing technology and practices. The study was conducted in two municipalities in the province of Iloilo (Miagao and San Joaquin) and two in the province of Antique (Anini-y and San Jose de Buenavista). It utilized household surveys, key informant interviews (KII), and focus group discussion (FGD) as research methodologies. Results show that there are various push and pull factors that influence the migrant fishers (locally known as pangayaw) to migrate to other areas. The most common reason cited is the presence of a richer fishing ground or better livelihood opportunities in their host community. Migrant fishers play a vital role in the local fishing economy as sources of new fishing technology. However, results revealed that most of the technologies that they introduced were either more efficient gears (e.g., use of purse seine and gill nets) or modifications (e.g., use of kati or decoy) that would increase the efficiency of the fishing gears. This may have a consequent negative impact on the sustainability of the fishery resources in the host community. It is evident from the available data of the local government units and the observations of the participants through their local ecological knowledge that migration has a potential impact on local resource access and utilization patterns, and may influence the socio-cultural landscape of the receiving area. It poses a challenge to the sustainable utilization of the resources, and exerts additional pressure on the social services of the receiving local governments. Instead of treating them as "outsiders", they should be treated as partners of the local community and must share the responsibilities of sustainable utilization and management of the fisheries resources. • Fisher's migration can impact small-scale fisheries management of the receiving area. • It can influence local resource access and utilization. • It can also contribute to the sharing of fishing technology and practices. • Migrant fishers should be treated as partners of the local community in resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The planned New Manila International Airport (NMIA) project along Manila Bay aims to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the primary gateway to Manila and the Philippines. It caused the displacement of Taliptip communities and could lead to environmental degradation of the bay, thus many stakeholders expressed resistance. Project developers cite that residents need to be relocated due to the risks from coastal natural hazards. This paper aims to determine the community perception and their relevant actions on two potential risks – natural hazards and the NMIA project using the Protective Action Decision Model (PADM) and draw insights from the case study. Manila Bay is constantly affected by tides, infrequently by strong earthquakes, and seasonally by fluvial floods and storm surges. The intensity of hydrometeorological hazards has been increasing during the past decades due to climate change. Community resilience to natural hazards grew from past experiences, effective community-based early warning systems, and a culture of rebuilding. Residents view the risk posed by the NMIA project with greater concern than natural hazards as it is perceived to threaten their way of life. They chose to remain because of their livelihood, ease of living, rootedness, and residential immobility, but there is a sense of resignation stemming from a lack of land ownership and poverty. The risk perception of the communities was not determined at any stage of the NMIA development, which may explain the continued opposition even after the residents' displacement and the advanced state of project construction. The NMIA's EIA is fraught with issues on lack of transparency, social acceptance embodied within Philippine environmental laws, and possible policy loopholes. This highlights the need to provide balance between development and community preservation by employing best practices in infrastructure development where the welfare of communities and the environment is of utmost importance. Spaces for relocation with access to basic services, livelihood, and education opportunities need to be provided to protect these communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing body of literature recognises the role of local participation by end users in the successful implementation of sustainable development projects. Such community-based initiatives are widely assumed to be beneficial in providing additional savings, increasing knowledge and skills, and improving social cohesion. However, there is a lack of empirical evidence regarding the success (or failure) of such projects, as well as a lack of formal impact assessment methodologies that can be used to assess their effectiveness in meeting the needs of communities. Using a case study approach, we investigate the effectiveness of community-based energy projects in regard to achieving long-term renewable energy technology (RET) adoption in energy-poor island communities in the Philippines. This paper provides an alternative analytical framework for assessing the impact of community-based energy projects by defining RET adoption as a continuous and relational process that co-evolves and co-produces over time, highlighting the role of social capital in the long-term RET adoption process. In addition, by using the Social Impact Assessment methodology, we study off-grid, disaster-vulnerable and energy-poor communities in the Philippines and we assess community renewable energy (RE) projects implemented in those communities. We analyse the nature of participation in the RET adoption process, the social relations and interactions formed between and among the different stakeholders, and the characteristics, patterns and challenges of the adoption process. • Community-based approaches aid state-led renewable energy in off-grid areas. • Social capital in communities addresses immediate energy needs in affected areas. • Change Mapping in Social Impact Assessment shows community-based RE project impacts. • Long-term renewable energy adoption involves co-evolving hardware, software, orgware. • Successful adoption relies on communal mechanisms to sustain renewable energy systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small islands are important contributors to global and local tourism markets. Compared to the mainlands, resource-poor small islands experience diseconomies of scale because of their limited space and connectivity. Planning for their tourism development remains challenging because of land conflicts, especially from traditional land ownerships and business sectors. This paper draws from the need for understanding differing stakeholders, by examining tourism development of four small islands in the Philippines using the five key sustainability elements: tourism policy and governance; economic performance, investment and competitiveness; decent work; poverty reduction and social inclusion; and natural and cultural environment. All experienced political, environmental, and socio-economic issues, including closure threats due to violations of environmental standards, overcrowding, and transportation-related problems. Data were collected from eight focus groups, 36 experts, 385 tourists, and 672 residents. Our findings show that small islands find themselves at a difficult situation across sustainability goals: 1) ineffective implementation of policies and regulations; 2) residents felt that they are blindsided in the decision-making process, especially those who are poor and vulnerable; 4) tourism workers faced problems relating to workload, just compensation, and work-life balance; 5) tourists felt that there should be improvements in the areas of safety and security, tourism attractions, environmental integrity, accommodation and food, and cultural aspects; and 6) there are evidence of negative impacts to environment and host communities. Taken together, The research findings provide key inputs to planning land uses and related strategies for sustainable tourism development of these small islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resilient rice farming in indigenous ricescapes is dependent on access to various forms of capital assets; however, the acquisition of these assets is hindered by environmental, industry, demographic, and cultural vulnerabilities. This paper examines the implications of these challenges on natural, physical, financial, human, social, and cultural capital assets for rice farming in the indigenously engineered ricescapes of Bali, Indonesia, and Ifugao, the Philippines. The study used site visits, focus group discussions, and interviews and employed a combined analysis of the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework and Bourdieu's theory of capital to explore the interconnected vulnerabilities and their impacts on rice farming to understand the factors that endanger the preservation, cultural integrity, and heritage of these sites. The study shows that similar challenges are present across these ricescapes, including land use changes, erratic weather patterns, and rice market volatility, among others. Additionally, dilemmas regarding cultural and normative directions for development are apparent, while livelihoods vary and are in flux among households due to their discrepant access to capital assets. Therefore, it is crucial to implement governmental, market, and development programs that strengthen rice farmers' access to various types of capital assets to preserve the outstanding universal values of these ricescapes. • Access to capital is crucial for resilient rice cultivation in indigenous ricescapes. • Environmental, industry, demographic, and cultural challenges hinder capital acquisition. • The study examines the impact of multiple vulnerabilities on rice farming capital for resilience in Bali and Ifugao. • Common challenges include land use changes, erratic weather patterns, and rice market volatility. • Discrepancies in capital access lead to unstable livelihoods in rice farming households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]