Prices of canned goods, construction materials, agri products down

Prevailing prices of canned goods such as corned beef and beef loaf went down for the week of April 9 to 13 compared to the previous month. Construction materials such as steel wires and bars also experienced a price decrease, as did major staples such as chicken, cabbage, okra, and brown sugar. (Please see matrix of price decreases below.)

“It’s been said that inflation is all but inevitable, and we do acknowledge the common Filipino’s concern over the prices of commodities,” Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo said. “But the truth is that inflation in the Philippines has been the lowest in two and a half years. As of last March, we’re at 2.6 percent; we’re actually well on pace to beat our targets,” he added. The target inflation rate released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas stands at three to five percent for 2012.

A statement by Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda has cited the Philippines’ inflation rate as among the lowest in Southeast Asia, second only to Malaysia. The world’s highest inflation rate, as of February 2012, stood at 24.6 (Venezuela). The Philippine inflation rate in February, which stood at 2.7, was equal to that of the United States and Denmark, and comparable to that of Canada (2.6) and the Netherlands (2.5).

He added that the country’s sound macro-economic fundamentals have so far been able to keep prices relatively stable, and that the Philippines has “stood its ground” economically, despite increased uncertainty in the global markets.

The Secretary also cited the reforms being laid out by the administration as key to the long-term stability of the country. “I think it’s clear by now that good governance has a causal relationship with good economics,” he said. The Aquino administration has maintained that its programs on transparency and accountability in government will ultimately lead to jobs and livelihood opportunities by attracting more investments to the country.

New Species of Frog and Flora Discovered in Southern Leyte

A biodiversity resource assessment conducted in Southern Leyte in November 2011 resulted in the discovery of at least two new species of frogs and a total of 229 recorded flora species, 31 of which are unique to the country.

Despite the degraded condition of the area’s forests, the list of fauna and flora species proved the under appreciated biodiversity of the Philippines.

Whilst the highlight of the assessment is the discovery of the new frog species, it also generated a detailed documentation of new and important information on the ecology and natural history of many species of vertebrates that are endemic to Leyte.

The month-long ground surveys in Southern Leyte (covering the municipalities of Silago, Hinunangan, Sogod, Maasin, Tomas Oppus, and Malitbog) recorded a total of 229 floral species (31 of which are unique to the Philippines) and 212 terrestrial vertebrates species, comprising 112 species of birds (41 species are unique to the Philippines, 11 of which are threatened to extinction), 36 species of mammals (17 species are unique to the Philippines) and 64 species of amphibians and reptiles (more than half of which are found only in the Philippines).

It is anticipated that a significant number of species will be recorded from Southern Leyte with continued field sampling, especially if the surveys are conducted during the drier months and if a wide range of habitat and elevation zones (from lowland Dipterocarp to mossy forests) are sampled.

The two newly discovered forest-obligate species of frogs belong to the genus Platymantis. These species inhabit the montane and mossy forests of the Nacolod Mountain Range in Southern Leyte. Both species differ markedly from other known species of Philippine Platymantis frogs by their body size, coloration patterns, and advertisement calls. The two species are allied to two different species groups, the Platymantis guentheri group and Platymantis hazelae group. This is the first time that a Platymantis species belonging to the hazelae group has been discovered in the Mindanao faunal region, of which the island of Leyte belongs to. Herpetologists from the Philippines and the U.S. are now working on the formal taxonomic description of the species.

The Assessment indicated the general preference of Southern Leyte’s fauna to forest and riverine environments. The information generated, now provides a baseline that can be used to predict impacts of habitat change on species and to design measures to protect forest biodiversity. For local government units in Southern Leyte, the findings provide the scientific basis in designing appropriate management systems and monitoring protocols useful in protecting forest ecosystems, establishing local forest and biodiversity areas, as well as to steer the rehabilitation of forests toward an efficient and more ecologically sound path.

For the national government it will spur forest protection and rehabilitation efforts under the Philippine National REDD-Plus Strategy as part of the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAPP), and the National Greening Program.

The discovery of the new species on the fragmented forests of Mt. Nacolod intensifies the potential of REDD-Plus for effective protection and rehabilitation of natural forests and conservation of biodiversity, while benefiting local communities. Greater involvement of LGUs in conserving the biodiversity of Nacolod is expected.

The two new species of frogs from Southern Leyte will be unveiled at the Marble Hall of the Museum of the Filipino People at 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on April 17, 2012. Invited guests include Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources Ramon J.P. Paje; Mr. Ralph Timmermann, Deputy Head of Mission Federal Republic of Germany Embassy; Dr. Bernd-Markus Liss, Principal Advisor of the International Climate Change projects in the Philippines of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ); and Mr. Jeremy Barns, Director of the National Museum of the Philippines.

The biodiversity assessments were conducted by Fauna & FIora International, the National Museum of the Philippines, the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the DENR Region 8 office. The assessments were done on behalf of two projects, namely:

a. the DENR-Forest Management Bureau and the German Development Cooperation-Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH’s climate relevant modernization of forest policy and piloting of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) in the Philippines Project; and

b. the DENR-PAWB, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) New Conservation Areas in the Philippines Project (NewCAPP).

The study was aimed at generating species inventories and practical information on key species-habitat associations as sound bases for forest and biodiversity management planning.

DA allots P52 M for agri, fishery projects in Catanduanes

The Department of Agriculture has allotted P52 million for agriculture and fishery infrastructure and livelihood projects, and farm equipment to further increase the productivity and incomes of farmers and fisherforlk in the island-province of Catanduanes.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said that, of the total amount, P12 million was allotted for farm and fishery projects, equipment and inputs, which he handed over to beneficiaries during his visit to island province from April 9 to 10.

The bulk of the fund, amounting to P40 million, is allotted for irrigation, a farm-to-market road (FMR), a tramline, a multi-species fish hatchery, and aquasilviculture projects.

Of the amount, P30 million will be used to complete a communal irrigation system in Baniaga, Bato, that will irrigate 91 hectares and benefit 185 farmer families. Secretary Alcala instructed National Irrigation Administrator Antonio Nangel to fast track the project, where an initial P15 million will be spent this year, and the balance next year.

The DA will also spend P3 million to extend an existing tramline system in Barangay Sipi, Bato, and replace its carrier with a bigger one to transport not only farm products but also persons. The tramline system, similar to a zipline with a carriage, is used to transport abaca hemp and fiber, and other farm products. The tramline was constructed by the  Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), under the DA. The DA will also construct an access road as part of the tramline project.

Furthermore, the DA, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), will establish a multi-species community hatchery and aquasilviculture project in Barangay Batalay, in Bato, where Secretary Alcala planted mangrove propagules.

He urged Bato Mayor Eulogio Rodriguez to develop the area as an agrotourism site, with the DA providing appropriate technical assistance and training.

Secretary Alcala also encouraged Catanduanes Governor Joseph C. Cua to consider putting up a grain-processing center. The DA will provide P15 million for the project, while the provincial government has to counterpart a one-hectare lot for the facility. When completed, it will have a multi-pass rice mill, a dryer, and a service truck.

During a farmers’ forum, Secretary Alcala raffled off various farm equipment and inputs to lucky farmer-attendees. The prizes included three hand tractors with trailers, three palay threshers, two motorized banca, two motor engines, five draft carabaos with plow and harrow, 100 bags of certified rice seeds, nine gill nets, three fish cage nets, and 10 multiple fishing handlines.

As a token of appreciation, Secretary Alcala also gifted all the 11 Catanduanes mayors with one shallow tube well each.

The DA chief also visited Masbate to lead the opening ceremonies of the Rodeo Masbateño festival. He also inspected a small water impounding project (SWIP) in Potot, Milagros, which was recently repaired by the DA-NIA, at a cost of P6 million.

While in Masbate, he also asked the provincial government through Governor Rizalina Seachon-Lañete to consider putting up a grains processing center, with the LGU providing a one-hectare lot as counterpart.

During his sorties in Catanduanes, Secretary Alcala was joined by Governor Cua, Representative Cesar Sarmiento, Vice Governor Jose Teves, Jr., Ako Bicol Partylist Representatives  Alfredo A. Garbin Jr. and Christopher S. Co, NIA Administrator Nangel, Director Silvino Tejada of the DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management, PhilMech Director Ricardo Cachuela, and Administrator Cecilia Gloria Soriano of the DA-Fiber Industry Development Authority.

Also present were DA Bicol regional officials led by Director Dayao, DA regional technical directors Ellen de los Santos and Edgar Madrid, BFAR director Dennis del Socorro, NIA Director William Ragodon, FIDA Director Edith Lomerio, Director Eduardo Allorde of the Philippine Coconut Authority, Director Cora Realubit of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, and Director Efren Sabularse of the Agricultural Training Institute.

Recruitment, deployment issues and challenges to be discussed in ADD II

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday expressed confidence that issues and challenges involving the recruitment and deployment of contract workers to the Gulf Cooperation Council and other migrant worker destinations in Asian countries will be identified and discussed extensively at the Abu Dhabi Dialogue II (ADD II) meetings to enable participating governments to forge unilateral, bilateral, and regional actions that will improve the contract employment cycle.

“The Abu Dhabi Dialogue provides an opportunity for governments in countries sending and receiving contract workers to discuss and deal collaboratively with problems in the contract worker system. The Abu Dhabi Dialogue II in Manila will be such an opportunity,” Baldoz said on the eve of the event.

The ADD, an important dialogue of 11 countries—namely, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam—of migrant worker origin that are members of the Colombo Process and nine countries of migrant worker destination—namely, Bahrain, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen—is to convene from April 17 to 19 at the Sofitel Hotel in Manila.

DOLE Undersecretary Danilo P. Cruz, the top labor and employment official who is overseeing the preparation and conduct of the dialogue, said Malaysia and Singapore will also participate in the ADD II as observers.

“Most of the participating senior officials in the Abu Dhabi Dialogue II have arrived,” Usec. Cruz confirmed.

The event consists of a two-day 2^nd Senior Officials Meeting on April 17–18 and the 2^nd Ministerial Consultation on April 19. These meetings will bring together the Colombo Process countries after almost four years to continue the dialogue and to review the initiatives and partnerships under the ADD I, which was held in 2008.

“The goal of the discussions during the 2^nd Senior Officials Meeting is to identify problems and the steps that governments can take unilaterally, bilaterally, and regionally to resolve these issues in order to enhance the potential for international contract labor mobility and expand human development for workers and economic benefits for employers and the countries of origin [COO] and destinations,” Baldoz said.

At the 2^nd Senior Officials Meeting, representatives and delegates of participating countries of origin and destination will deliberate on the issues laid out in the Technical Report of the 2012 Regional Collaboration Framework.

This report is framed by the four major phases of contract labor mobility that have been identified during the ADD I, namely, preemployment in countries of destination (CODs) and predeparture recruitment and orientation in COOs; employment and residence in CODs; preparation in CODs for return and reintegration in COOs; and return and reintegration of workers in COOs.

Participating countries in ADD II will focus on the problems and issues that arise in the contract employment cycle; options to resolve the issues and problems; and the potential for governmental action, as contained in the report, which also outlines concrete proposals and major enhancement programs that could help countries improve their existing system of administering overseas employment.

Aside from these, the report presents sets of best practices and menu-tested solutions for problems encountered at each stage of the temporary employment cycle, lessons that could help in the design and refinement of preparation to return programs of contract workers.

Officially known as the Ministerial Consultation on Overseas Employment and Contractual Labour for Countries of Origin and Destination in Asia, the ADD is focused on developing four key, action-oriented partnerships on worker migration: (1) knowledge sharing on market trends, skills profiles, workers and remittances policies and flows, and their relationship to development; (2) building capacity for effective matching of labor supply and demand; (3) preventing illegal recruitment and promoting welfare and protection measures; and (4) developing a framework for a comprehensive approach to managing the entire cycle of temporary contractual work that fosters the mutual interest of COOs and CODs.

Scarborough Shoal Issue, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Official Statement

As of last night, the following observations were made:

• that the number of white Chinese civilian ships had been reduced to one; and

• all the Chinese fishing vessels had left the lagoon.

Ambassador Ma Keqing and I had been trying to reach an understanding on the Chinese fishing vessels along the path of our providing a gesture of goodwill in the spirit of the Years of Friendly Exchanges launched in Beijing last April 11 and previously in Manila on March 20.

I had stated that we would be willing to allow the Chinese boats to return to China following the confiscation of their harvest of endangered species by our authorities. There was no clear agreement as Ambassador Ma had asserted that Chinese fishing vessels would be subject to inspection by their own authorities.

We had later learned that the Chinese fishing vessels had left the lagoon, a development which we had been working towards except for our not being able to confiscate their illegal harvest pursuant to the Fisheries Code, which was regrettable.

Somewhat later, the second white Chinese civilian ship had decided to leave the area so that only one white Chinese ship remained.

The meeting with Ambassador Ma last night resulted in a stalemate as we had demanded of one another that the other nation’s ship be first to leave the area.

We will continue to monitor the situation in coordination with concerned agencies.

Government widens doors to civic, public engagement

As part of its drive for participatory governance and increased civil society engagement, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will participate in the 2^nd Annual Open Government Partnership (OGP) Conference from April 17 to 18 in Brasilia, Brazil.

“The OGP Conference gives us an avenue for exchanging key ideas that go beyond participatory leadership. It’s also about affirming our commitment to transparent, accountable, and effective governance, the very same brand of leadership that can pave the way for genuine socioeconomic growth in the Philippines,” Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said.

Eight delegates from the DBM and two from the World Bank will be joining hundreds of other representatives from 50 countries in the OGP Conference. These include President Rousseff of Brazil, President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton of the United States of America.

“The conference will allow us not only to learn from our peers around the world; it also gives us the opportunity to share our best practices in accountable governance to an international audience, as well as our own blueprint for creating wider spaces for civic and public participation from a uniquely Filipino perspective,” Abad said.

Departing from the common format in global meetings, the 2^nd Annual OGP Conference will not focus on keynote speeches delivered by country leaders. Instead, heads of government will share the stage with civil society organizations and members of the private sector as equal partners in the openness initiative. Participants will be tasked to recognize new commitments to participatory and accountable leadership, as well as challenge the Philippines to fulfill its promises.

“The government can no longer claim that it knows how to solve national problems better than anyone else. In fact, our partners in the private sector and civil society are well positioned to offer valuable insights on governance, especially with respect to stimulating sustained economic growth, [and] fighting corruption and poverty,” Abad said.

The OGP is a multilateral initiative that secures commitments from participating countries to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption, and tap innovative technologies to strengthen governance.

The initiative is managed by a steering committee of governments and civil society organizations. The Philippines is one of eight founding governments for the initiative, together with Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, South Africa, United Kingdom, and United States. Since its inception in September 2011, 43 more governments have joined the OGP and affirmed their commitment to transparent, accountable, and participatory governance.

“We live in unprecedented times, where information travels faster than it ever has, and data [are] shared at a prodigious rate. The government is under closer scrutiny by the public, and we are increasingly being held accountable for our actions. We need to keep up by opening ourselves further to the people whose lives are directly affected by the very reforms we’re pushing,” Abad said.

http://www.gov.ph/2012/04/15/govt-widens-doors-to-civic-public-engagement/

Global Geographical Information Systems Market 2011-2015

Global Geographical Information Systems Market 2011-2015

NEW YORK, April 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

TechNavio’s analysts forecast the Global Geographical Information System market to grow at a CAGR of 9.2 over the period 2011–2015. One of the key factors contributing to this market growth is increasing demand for GIS from governments and militaries. The Global GIS has also been witnessing development of customized GIS applications. However, the need to meet various governments’ regulations and guidelines could pose a challenge to the growth of this market.

TechNavio’s report, the Global Geographical Information System Market 2011–2015, has been prepared based on an in-depth analysis of the market with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the Americas, and the EMEA and APAC regions; it also covers the Global GIS market landscape and its growth prospects in the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.

Key vendors dominating this market space include ESRI Inc., Hexagon AB, GE Energy, and Bentley Systems Inc.

Source:

http://www.reportlinker.com/p0819225/Global-Geographical-Information-Systems-Market-2011-2015.html#utm_source=prnewswireutm_medium=prutm_campaign=Navigation_Systems

Pahayag ng Kagalang-galang Benigno S. Aquino IIIPangulo ng PilipinasBago ang kanyang pagdalo sa 20th ASEAN Summit sa Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Pahayag ng Kagalang-galang Benigno S. Aquino IIIPangulo ng PilipinasBago ang kanyang pagdalo sa 20th ASEAN Summit sa Phnom Penh, Cambodia

[Inihayag sa Villamor Airbase, Lungsod ng Pasay, noong ika-2 ng Abril 2012]

Lilipad po tayo ngayon patungong Cambodia upang paunlakan ang imbitasyon ni ASEAN Chair at Prime Minister Hun Sen ng Cambodia na dumalo sa 20^th ASEAN Summit. Bilang isa sa mga tagapagtatag ng Association of Southeast Asian Nations, makikiisa din tayo sa ikaapatnapu’t limang anibersaryo ng organisasyong ito.

Ito ang unang beses nating pagbisita sa Cambodia, at magandang pagkakataon ito upang lalo pang ihayag sa kanila at sa iba pa nating kaibigan sa Timog-Silangang Asya, ang kahandaan nating makipagtulungan sa iba’t ibang larangan.

Sa summit na ito, ibabahagi natin ang ating saloobin sa mga napapanahong isyu tulad sa mungkahing ASEAN Human Rights Declaration at sa pagsugpo ng droga sa rehiyon. Patitibayin din natin ang ating bayanihan sa disaster risk reduction and management, upang mas maging epektibo ang pagresponde natin sa ating mga kababayan sa panahon ng sakuna. Sa aspeto nga pong ito, katangi-tangi ang pagsisikap ng ating rehiyon upang maitatag ang ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance.

Bukod sa mga paksang ito, itutulak din natin sa mapayapang paraan ang ating adbokasiya upang protektahan ang integridad ng ating teritoryo. Igigiit natin ang ating paninindigan sa implementasyon ng Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, upang mapanatili ang kapayapaan at estabilidad sa West Philippine Sea. Para naman pangalagaan ang kapakanan ng ating migrant workers, muli nating imumungkahi sa ating mga karatig-bayan ang pagtataguyod ng sistemang magpapababa sa kanilang remittance charges. Sa ganitong paraan, maiibsan natin ang gastusin ng ating mga kababayan sa ibayong dagat. ‘Di po ba’t sa pagpapalakas ng ugnayan natin sa mga bansa sa rehiyon, nabibigyan tayo ng higit na kakayahang paglingkuran ang mga Pilipino?

At siyempre po, lulubusin ko na rin ang pagkakataong makasama ang mga kababayan natin sa Cambodia. Patuloy po silang nagpapakitang-gilas doon sa larangan ng akademya, pagnenegosyo, at sa pagiging kasapi ng mga non-governmental organizations. Sabik tayong kumustahin ang kanilang kalagayan at pakinggan ang kanilang mga kuwento. Nais nating malaman ang kanilang mga pangangailangan upang agad na makapaglatag ng paraan para matugunan ang mga ito. Ibabalita rin natin sa kanila ang magagandang nangyayari dito sa Pilipinas at kung ano ang ginagawa ng pamahalaan upang arugain ang kanilang mga pamilya.

Sa patuloy na pagtaas ng kompiyansa ng mundo sa ating mabuting pamamahala, tiwala po akong magiging makabuluhan ang pagdalo natin sa ASEAN summit. Makakaasa kayong saan man tayo mapadpad, nakatutok pa rin ang inyong administrasyon sa pagsusulong ng malawakan at makabuluhang pagbabago. Paiigtingin pa natin ang ating mabuting pamamahala: ang pagpapatupad sa mga repormang nakaangkala sa paggawa ng tama, at may wagas na malasakit sa kapwa. Patuloy po nating huhubugin at tatahakin ang landas tungo sa isang bansang mapayapa, may pananagutan, at may patas na pagkakataon tungo sa kasaganahan.

Maraming salamat po sa lahat. Magandang gabi po sa inyo.

Source: http://www.gov.ph/2012/04/02/statement-of-president-aquino-before-departure-for-the-20th-asean-summit-in-cambodia-april-2-2012/

Baler Aurora Tourism Development through Sustainable Planning

Baler Aurora Tourism Development through Sustainable Planning

by Arch. Merant B. De Vera, uap

The hospitality of Filipinos and the country’s natural wonders provide the Philippines with a natural lead in tourism, an area recognized as a key contributor to economic growth by generating vital investments, foreign exchange earnings and revenues as well as stimulating the growth of other industries such as construction and manufacturing.

The tourism sector has swiftly been on the rise during the last decade, reaching a peak in the year 2000. The figures for 2001 and 2002, however, have not been as impressive largely due to the global effects wrought by international terrorism incidents and the global economic slowdown. In 1999, the country ranked fifth in terms of visitor arrivals among ASEAN member countries with 2.2 million tourists. Visitor arrivals to the Philippines declined to 1.8 million in 2001 from 2.0 million in the previous year as the number of tourists from the major tourism markets, namely the United States, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and Germany, dropped significantly due to various internal and external peace and order problems. This consequently reduced tourist receipts to US$1.7 billion from US$2.1 billion in 2000.

To some, tourism provides an incentive for the restoration of ancient monuments and archaeological treasures and for the conservation of natural resources as well as the economic means by which they can be achieved. To others, however, tourism means people, congestion, noise and litter. It means disruption of animal life cycles.

Most Researches on the relationship of tourism and the environment were undertaken after, rather than before, damage occurred. As a result only few studies attempted to clarify the processes of environmental change or relate these to aspects of the agent of change, which in this case, is tourists and tourist development. Ecological investigations are being carried out but few studies incorporate the role of tourist as means by which changed are produced. Similarly, tourist developers have often failed to embody ecological principles into development plan and policies promoting tourist activity. A marrying of these research areas is required if harmonious relationship is to be festered between tourism and the environment.

Most research has been reactionary in nature being a response to immediate threats to the environment. Such threats have been a stimulus to research but they have also resulted in a concentration in special environment, such as small islands, coral reef, and other delicate ecologies.

There are three suggested relationships that can exist between promoting tourism and those advocating environmental conservation. These relationships are especially important because tourism is highly dependent upon values derived from nature.

• 1.      Tourism and Environmental conservation can exist in a situation in which both can promote their respective positions, remains in isolation and establish little contact with each other. Unlikely to exist for long periods because of the substantial changes in the environment that are apt to occur with the continued growth of mass tourism.
• 2.      Tourism and conservation may enjoy a mutually supportive or symbiotic relationship where they are organized in such a way that each benefits from each other. From the perspective of the conservationist, environmental features and conditions are left as close as possible to their original state but, at the same time, they provide benefits to the tourist who view and experience them.
• 3.      Tourism and conservation can be in conflict, particularly when tourism includes detrimental effects to the environment. Most of the documented relationship between tourism and environment fall into this category.

In order to deal with the main challenge of integrating sustainability in the development of tourism related policies, UNEP in partnership with UNWTO to set an agenda for policy making have developed a set of policy recommendations. These recommendations are in line with the list of 12 principles of sustainable tourism development includes Economic viability, Local prosperity, Employment quality, Social equity, Visitor fulfillment, Local control, Community wellbeing, Cultural richness, Physical integrity, Biological diversity, Resource efficiency, and Environmental purity.

Spatial Interaction Model

Spatial Interaction Model

by: Arch. Merant B. De Vera, uap

One of the major criticisms of gravity models has been what many consider to be a too literal translation of a Newtonian physics model to social science (Haynes and Fotheringham, 1984, page 17). Wilson and Bennett (1985) alleviated part of this doubt by deriving some of the parameters independently through entropy maximization. However, whatever the analytic justification for the parameters, it can still be inappropriate for a spatial representation of a system. They are an inherently static representation of spatial patterns, though many of the processes that it is used to model are quite dynamic (Fik, 1997, page 399). When one is fitting the model to data, one may not know whether the data are long-term averages, a snapshot in time, or a transition between states. This limitation is not always acknowledged by the people using it.

Dendrinos and Sonis (1990) gave a rigid mathematical treatment to general spatial interaction models, and showed that in equations describing even the simplest cases (one population, or stock interacting in two regions) there are many cases where no equilibrium exists. The implications are that many kinds of spatial interaction are capable of chaotic, complex, or unpredictable behavior, even when described in terms of assumed homogeneity that the gravity model implies. This should serve as an important caveat for any attempts to model dynamic spatial processes as static or equilibrium phenomena.

Gravity models and others similar ones have shown themselves to be valuable for fitting data and parameterizing conceptual relationships, but are useful only to the extent that a sufficiently large body of macroscopic system data is available in a form that the modeler can confidently use for extrapolation.

Economic Base Analysis

Economic Base Analysis

by: Arch. Merant B. De Vera, uap

Same with the input-output analysis, economic base analysis is also used to ensure low and stable prices to support consumer spending and to enhance competitiveness in preparation for the global economic rebound. The key grounds for export are comparative advantage. Through these methods, the level of economic activity in the area and the interaction between the manufacturing and commercial industries would be analyzed and calculated.

Economic Base Analysis needs data about the different industries’ historical basic and non-basic annual employment growth and the existing basic and non-basic employment in the present year to be able to project the employment after a given number of years. Through this, the government will be able to forecast the demand in employment and will be able to prepare jobs and training for the people to meet these new demands

Economic Base Analysis postulates that export industries are the reason that regions and cities exist. It stipulates that the more an area specializes the more it limits its self sufficiency and the growth of a region or city depends on their ability to export goods and services to pay for imported goods.

Economic Base Analysis uses common method for analyzing local economy, it divides the local economy into two sectors the basic or the export sector and the non basic sector or the service sector. With these it can be concluded that the basic sectors is identified as the non local while the non basic sector as the local sector. The Basic sector is consist of activities that brings money into the economy, activities that meets the external demand, activities that is dependent on factors external to the local economy. The Non basic sector consists of activities that use money already in the economy and activities that meet local demand. The Economic Base Analysis assumes that Basic sector is the prime cause of local economic growth, and therefore making the non basic sector to develop around Basic sector activity and strictly implying that it can never develop without its opposing sector. Another assumption of the Economic base analysis is that the growth of the basic sector is directly proportionate to the growth of the non basic sector and as the area grows the less it becomes basic.

Strengths: Growth of the basic and non basic industries can be forecasted separately. It is an easy approach using the equivalent growth model to find the historical annual employment growth.

Weaknesses: It is just based on the number of employed people and ignores their wage levels. Another weakness of Economic Base Analysis is that in distinguishing whether an industry is basic or non-basic the result may be confusing. Because of unexpected circumstances, the base multiplier or the percentage of historical annual growth of employment may not be stable. Economic Base Analysis underestimates the non-basic sectors significance in the stimulation of the economic activity as well as negligence if the supply sides limitations.

In the selection of the study area it is ideal that the study area should represent a small self contained economic area making the more appropriate units to be the central city and those surrounding the suburbs. In Economic base analysis studies are usually done at provincial level even though provinces seldom have an economic coherence.