Bing Baltazar C. Brillo

Developing a Small Lake: The Case of Palakpakin Lake, San Pablo City, Philippines

This study assesses the development issues of Palakpakin Lake. Premised on the scarcity of development studies on lakes (as the field is dominated by limnology and aquaculture studies) and small-lake studies (as the field is heavily concentrated on big-lake studies), the article argues that the lake has long been wanting of development initiatives from its administrative agencies. It further contends that the Laguna Lake Development Authority and the City Government of San Pablo must now act to promote development of the lake; specifically, by modifying their model-template approach, by formulating a zoning-development plan, and by fostering ecotourism. These basic actions are necessary in managing, developing and conserving the natural resource, as well as in preparing, informing and precipitating other actions on the lake.

Path Dependence, Increasing Returns, and Philippine Labor Migration Policy

Beginning as a temporary economic solution of the Marcos regime, the labor migration policy has persisted over the years through subsequent regimes — that of Aquino, of Ramos, and of Arroyo. For its persistence, the usual reason of poor economy has been the overly cited culprit. The study maintains this premise; however, it stresses that to fully understand the labor migration phenomenon, one must go beyond the traditional explanation of poor economy. The explanation must be able to stand in case of sustainability of labor migration in the event of economic upturn. Consequently, the study contends that there is another compelling factor — which has risen after the adoption of the policy — that produces strong incentives for persistence. It argues that the labor migration policy over time has generated increasing returns that reinforce the policy, making it path dependent. Increasing returns from the policy are manifested in (1) the phenomenal success of the policy, which makes it very difficult to discontinue; (2) the emergence of a coalition of institutions with a strong interest in preserving the status quo; (3) the adaptation of academic institutions; (4) the flexible response to changes in the international labor market; (5) the multiplier effect of the network of relatives, colleagues, and friends abroad; and (6) institutionalization of labor migration as a “culture of salvation.” The six have generated a persistent pattern that has been definitive over time on government policy decisions. Hence, the increasing returns dynamics has guaranteed the continuity of the policy beyond economics.

An Assessment of Development of a Transboundary Small Lake: Calibato Lake, San Pablo City and Rizal, Laguna, The Philippines

Commencing on the scarcity of development studies on lakes (as the field is dominated by limnology and aquaculture studies) and small-lake studies (as the field is heavily concentrated on big-lake studies), this study assesses the underdevelopment of Calibato Lake, a small transboundary lake. The article reveals the lack of development initiatives in the lake as well as definitive time table from its administrative agencies on when they will be carried out. It argues that the LLDA, the City Government of San Pablo and the Local Government of Rizal must now take action to instigate and bring development in the lake. Particularly, by initiating the crafting of a zoning-development plan which is crucial for managing the water resource, regulating aquaculture, and facilitating subsequent actions; by promoting ecotourism which is essential in extending work opportunities and community development; and by protecting the many natural springs and their watershed which is critical in the preservation of the lake and its environment.

The Politics of the Anti-Dumping Law of the Philippines

As a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and signatory to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade-Uruguay Round (GATT-UR) Agreement, the Philippines has become a member of the international trade regime. The economic regime promotes the unhampered flow of goods and impels the country to open its economy to foreign goods. This scenario poses a risk to the local industry as foreign competitors, in their quest to penetrate and capture markets, can engage in dumping. To mitigate the risk inherent in the situation, the GATT-WTO regime encouraged countries to legislate an anti-dumping law. The rationale of the law is to establish a system of international trading where the playing field is even or level for all players. The anti-dumping law gives a country the right to adopt an adequate response to protect itself against unfair trade practices of other countries. This paper is about the evolution of the anti-dumping law in the Philippines, specifically the enactment of Republic Act (R.A.) 7843, and the transition to R.A. 8752. It concludes with the following observation on the policymaking experience: first, the enactment shows the satisfying nature and the protective tendency of the lawmakers; second, the enactment reveals the increasing influence and relevance of international organizations and regimes in domestic policymaking; and lastly, the evolution of the policy illustrates the dynamics of interagency competition vis-a-vis policy change.

Shifting Economic Regimes for Retail in the Philippines: External Impetus Amidst the Workings of Domestic Politics

In the prevailing globalized world order, economic regime shift is principally understood via the overriding-external-impetus lens where international demand holds sway over domestic policymaking. Considering the complexity of the process and the possibility of varying outcomes, the perspective evidently limits the function of domestic politics in changing regimes. In elucidating how the dynamics of domestic politics respond to external impetuses and play out in relation to regime shifts, this paper looks into the two cases of regime shifts in retail in the Philippines: Republic Act (RA) 1180, a protectionist regime enacted in 1954 and RA 8762, a liberalized regime legislated in 2000. The study examines the interface and convergence of three salient factors – external–internal impetus, presidential intervention, and the changing dynamics in the retail sector – that were pivotal in both regime shifts. Specifically, the external–internal impetus helped set off the move for regime shift; the sitting President played a crucial role in the success of the legislation in Congress, and the retail sector exemplified varying dynamics (e.g., consolidation in RA 1180 and fragmentation in RA 8762) which facilitated the enactment of the laws. The study also underscores two key points: (1) while the initiative to adopt or change economic regimes for a government will continue to have external impetus, the success of regime shift as well as the substance of its specific policy will be essentially determined by the workings of domestic politics and (2) the legislative experience characterizes the contemporary link between global influence and domestic dynamics in policy making. The paper closes with a note on the case studys implications for retail globalization in Southeast Asia.

The Nationalization and Liberalization of the Retail Trade Industry in the Philippines

The Philippine policy experience in the retail trade sector is distinct. Two radical policy shifts have occurred in the industry and the policy change took a circular path. In 1954, the Third Congress passed Republic Act (R.A.) 1180, the Retail Trade Nationalization Act, and in 2000, the Eleventh Congress enacted R.A. 8762, the Retail Trade Liberalization Act. The former was a change from an open to a protectionist policy, while the latter was a change from a protectionist to an open policy. Typically, any move to change an existing policy is always contentious and difficult. Those benefiting from the status quo would naturally take action to preserve their advantage; thus, policy change entails winners and losers. In examining the politics of policy change in the retail trade, this paper will utilize four factors — the context, the stakeholders and the cost benefit equation, policy rationalization, and presidential intervention and concessions — to systematically outline and explain the policy shifts that occurred.

The Governance of the Seven Crater Lakes, San Pablo City, the Philippines

The article assesses the governance of the seven crater lakes (i.e., Sampaloc Lake, Bunot Lake, Palakpakin Lake, Calibato Lake, Mohicap Lake, Pandin Lake and Yambo Lake) using the ILBM framework. In particular, the study elucidates the following: on institutions, the slow-moving and biased actions combined with coordination problems and reactive orientation of the administrative agencies; on policies, the existence of overlapping laws that nurture diverging agenda and emphases; on participation, the presence of organised and actively participating community stakeholders conjoined with a highly centralised decision making; on technology and information, the underuse of technological interventions and the want for critical information; on finance, the endemic need for funds particularly by the community stakeholders. The administration of the seven crater lakes also exemplifies the lack of long term commitment and accountability. Overall, the governance praxis illustrates key lessons in contemporary management and development of small lakes in the country.