• FEATURED ARTICLE

    Click on the picture to read this featured article.

    You may comment on the blog article in the discussion section that follows the article. The blog is known for its robust, informative, and civil discussions.

From Shopping Center to Urban Infrastructure: What Mall 5.0 Must Mean for the Philippines

By Karl M. Garcia The Philippine mall has outgrown its original purpose. It began as a place to shop, eat, watch movies, and escape the heat. It evolved into a family destination, a commercial anchor, and a gathering place in cities where public spaces are often limited or poorly maintained. Today, it is increasingly a … Continue reading →

Problem Solving the Philippines: How the National Expenditure Program Is Generated

Part 2 of The Budget Series: how the President’s proposed budget is built, from the DBCC’s ceiling down to each agency’s Tier 1 and Tier 2 requests.

Beyond the Weak Peso: Why Philippine Development Must Compound

By Karl M. Garcia A country becomes stronger not simply when its economy grows, but when each period of growth leaves it better equipped to handle the next crisis. This is where the Philippine development challenge becomes clearer. The country has a large domestic market, a young and globally connected workforce, internationally competitive service industries, … Continue reading →

Illustration labeled Preparation, Legislation, Execution, Accountability, and Audit around a public finance governance cycle

Problem Solving the Philippines: A Primer on the National Budget

Part 1 of The Budget Series: who does what in the Philippine national budget, how the budget year runs, and where the money goes.

THE ILLUSION OF STATUS: DOÑA VICTORINA, COLONIAL MENTALITY, AND THE FILIPINO SOCIAL CLIMBER

The desire to rise socially is not inherently wrong. Every society contains people who want better education, greater prosperity, more influence, or a more secure future for themselves and their families. Social mobility can be a sign of a healthy society, especially when advancement comes through education, enterprise, professional achievement, or public service. But José … Continue reading →