Latest news with #PhilippineInstituteforDevelopmentStudies
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
Up to P15B lost yearly due to weak PH vaccination program — PIDS expert
The Philippines loses as much as P15 billion every year due to its "under-prioritized" immunization program for adults, as Filipinos and government grapple with mounting healthcare costs and lost productivity, a researcher from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said Wednesday. "If we try to balance the costs of vaccination that could be through administration, etc., the benefit really outweighs the cost," Valerie Ulep, a senior research fellow and program director for PIDS' health economic and finance program, said in a forum. Among the working age population, Ulep cited that the total hospitalization cost among Filipino adults because of flu is estimated at P1.6 billion. Meanwhile, foregone wages among adults due to flu-related hospitalizations costs around P64 million. Ulep also reported that the total hospitalization cost among adults due to flu is estimated at P5.5 billion. Further, data showed that the estimated average number of days lost during sickness is four days with productivity losses at nearly P6 billion. "The productivity losses due to sick days, there are a lot of empirical evidence saying, suggesting that around, on average, the number of days are four days. So when we try to compute that, you will arrive at P6 billion productivity losses," said Ulep. "So these are substantial losses around P14 to P15 billion every year. And almost all these are preventable with a functioning adult vaccination program." Among seniors Meanwhile, infectious disease specialist Rontgene Solante said research data show that most influenza-related deaths are recorded among Filipinos aged 60 years old and above. "Majority of the deaths here is not among the children, it's mostly among the 60 years old and above. So kapag tinitignan mo itong excess mortality rate, mataas talaga ito, 5.3 per 100,000 person. That tells a lot especially for our population, we have 107 million and we have like 10 to 14 million who are 60 years old and above. That's the reason why when we will be prioritizing flu vaccine, this should be the population na kailangan natin mabigyan agad," said Solante. Further, Ulep said there will be consequences if the country will not improve its adult immunization program. "With under-prioritized adult vaccination, health system costs will continuously rise. As our population ages, pneumonia and flu vaccines will increase simply because more people are at risk. Second is that because of non-communicable diseases, vaccine-preventable diseases will intersect, causing complications that are harder and more expensive to treat," he said. "Third is there is labor productivity reduction, labor productivity will decline. Especially in the context of the Philippines, where you have a high informal sector where workers do not have paid sick leaves or health protection. So that will have more negative impact," Ulep added. "And finally, it widens inequity, poor and working age adults are hit the hardest when public programs do not provide protection." The PIDS senior researcher said the government must invest in awareness campaigns for adult immunization. "The government might want to invest more in awareness and advocacy… Maybe the government may start regulatory and procurement reforms to reduce vaccine prices in the market… This could be a policy agenda that requires working with a private insurance and employers to cover adult vaccination as part of the supplemental benefit," said Ulep. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
03-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
PIDS: 28% of Filipino families live in extended households
PIDS Supervising Research Specialist Tatum Ramos said 28.8% of households in the Philippines are no longer of a traditional nuclear type. More than one in four Filipino households are in extended or multifamily arrangements, according to the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS). PIDS Supervising Research Specialist Tatum Ramos said 28.8% of households in the Philippines are no longer of a traditional nuclear type. 'Households have been veering away from the typical composition of household head, spouse, and a child,' Ramos said. She explained that this is the case due to the growing role of shared economic survival strategies in household formation. Published in December 2024, 'Demographic Trends nd Housing Patterns in the Philippines' defines extended and multifamily households as a family arrangement where parents or siblings cohabitate with relatives outside the immediate family nucleus. The study showed that there is a decline in nuclear household arrangements from 71% in 1990 to 61% in 2020. Meanwhile, people living in extended and multiple family arrangements increased from 25% in 1990 to 29% in 2020. 'They have decided to join their relatives in a household to gain support in growing their own family or [to manage] living and housing expenses,' Ramos said. Data from the study revealed a significant link between wealth and the likelihood of living in extended or multifamily arrangements. 'On average, the difference in the probability of being in an extended and multifamily household given one unit increase in the wealth estimate is a 6.5% point increase,' Ramos said. She argued that instead of viewing extended or multifamily arrangements as problematic, it rather present adaptive social strategies as it offers resource-sharing opportunities.
South China Morning Post
24-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Philippines ‘strategically positioned to benefit' from Trump's tariff overhaul, study shows
The Philippines stands to benefit from a sweeping US tariff overhaul that has disrupted global trade flows, a new study showed, as the country emerges among the least exposed Southeast Asian economies to new US duties targeting imports. Advertisement Thailand , Indonesia , The Philippines has not been spared from the global trade wars triggered by US President Donald Trump 's tariffs, but it faces a comparatively modest 17 per cent tariff, the lowest among five regional economies covered by the study – Malaysia Vietnam and the Philippines. Still, the Philippines lacks the infrastructure and investment to take quick advantage, it said. Vietnam and Thailand are subject to much steeper rates of 46 per cent and 36 per cent, respectively, though those have been paused until July. The study by Philippine Institute for Development Studies created a Tariff Exposure Composite Index to assess how vulnerable each country is to the new US levies. The Philippines and Indonesia both scored 2.2, placing them in the moderate risk category. But their positions differ significantly. 07:36 IMF slashes GDP growth estimates for China, US and world as trade tensions rise IMF slashes GDP growth estimates for China, US and world as trade tensions rise While both share the same risk score, Indonesia is considered more exposed due to its higher 32 per cent tariff and a narrower exemption coverage – only about 10 per cent of its exports to the US are shielded, the study showed. Its main exports, such as palm oil and footwear, are also highly sensitive to price increases.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Philippines stands to benefit from US tariff shake-up, but must address constraints, study shows
MANILA (Reuters) -The Philippines stands to benefit from a sweeping U.S. tariff overhaul that has disrupted global trade flows, a new study showed, as the country emerges among the least exposed Southeast Asian economies to new U.S. duties targeting imports. The Philippines has not been spared from the global trade wars triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, but it faces a comparatively modest 17% tariff, the lowest among five regional economies covered by the study - Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Still, the Philippines lacks the infrastructure and investment to take quick advantage, it said. Vietnam and Thailand are subject to much steeper rates of 46% and 36%, respectively, though those have been paused until July. The study by Philippine Institute for Development Studies created a Tariff Exposure Composite Index to assess how vulnerable each country is to the new U.S. levies. The Philippines and Indonesia both scored 2.2, placing them in the moderate risk category. But their positions differ significantly. While both share the same risk score, Indonesia is considered more exposed due to its higher 32% tariff and a narrower exemption coverage - only about 10% of its exports to the U.S. are shielded, the study showed. Its main exports, such as palm oil and footwear, are also highly sensitive to price increases. In contrast, the Philippines benefits from broader tariff exemptions, covering around 33% of its U.S.-bound exports, mostly in high-value sectors like semiconductors, memory chips, and storage devices. This, along with its lower tariff rate, places it in a stronger position to attract diverted trade and investment. "The Philippines is strategically positioned to benefit,' the study authored by former Trade Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba said. "Its low tariff rate, strong exemptions for key exports, and moderate strategic exposure create an opportunity to attract trade and investment shifts." Malaysia, with a slightly higher tariff of 24%, also ranked favourably, scoring 2.8. It has the highest exemption coverage in the region, protecting nearly 46% of its exports to the U.S., particularly in electronics and semiconductor equipment. Vietnam and Thailand scored higher on the risk index - 3.4 and 3.0, respectively - reflecting deeper exposure. Both countries depend heavily on the U.S. market and have lower exemption coverage. Vietnam sends 35% of its total exports to the U.S., making it the most vulnerable among its peers, the study showed. The study warned that while the Philippines has a relative advantage, it still lags behind Malaysia and Vietnam in manufacturing scale, logistics and readiness to absorb new investment. "The Philippines' ability to convert this relative advantage into tangible economic gains will hinge on how swiftly it can mobilize responses in logistics, investment facilitation, and targeted export promotion," the study added. Sign in to access your portfolio
Reuters
24-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Philippines stands to benefit from US tariff shake-up, but must address constraints, study shows
MANILA, April 24 (Reuters) - The Philippines stands to benefit from a sweeping U.S. tariff overhaul that has disrupted global trade flows, a new study showed, as the country emerges among the least exposed Southeast Asian economies to new U.S. duties targeting imports. The Philippines has not been spared from the global trade wars triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, but it faces a comparatively modest 17% tariff, the lowest among five regional economies covered by the study - Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Still, the Philippines lacks the infrastructure and investment to take quick advantage, it said. Vietnam and Thailand are subject to much steeper rates of 46% and 36%, respectively, though those have been paused until July. The study by Philippine Institute for Development Studies created a Tariff Exposure Composite Index to assess how vulnerable each country is to the new U.S. levies. The Philippines and Indonesia both scored 2.2, placing them in the moderate risk category. But their positions differ significantly. While both share the same risk score, Indonesia is considered more exposed due to its higher 32% tariff and a narrower exemption coverage - only about 10% of its exports to the U.S. are shielded, the study showed. Its main exports, such as palm oil and footwear, are also highly sensitive to price increases. In contrast, the Philippines benefits from broader tariff exemptions, covering around 33% of its U.S.-bound exports, mostly in high-value sectors like semiconductors, memory chips, and storage devices. This, along with its lower tariff rate, places it in a stronger position to attract diverted trade and investment. "The Philippines is strategically positioned to benefit,' the study authored by former Trade Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba said. "Its low tariff rate, strong exemptions for key exports, and moderate strategic exposure create an opportunity to attract trade and investment shifts." Malaysia, with a slightly higher tariff of 24%, also ranked favourably, scoring 2.8. It has the highest exemption coverage in the region, protecting nearly 46% of its exports to the U.S., particularly in electronics and semiconductor equipment. Vietnam and Thailand scored higher on the risk index - 3.4 and 3.0, respectively - reflecting deeper exposure. Both countries depend heavily on the U.S. market and have lower exemption coverage. Vietnam sends 35% of its total exports to the U.S., making it the most vulnerable among its peers, the study showed. The study warned that while the Philippines has a relative advantage, it still lags behind Malaysia and Vietnam in manufacturing scale, logistics and readiness to absorb new investment. "The Philippines' ability to convert this relative advantage into tangible economic gains will hinge on how swiftly it can mobilize responses in logistics, investment facilitation, and targeted export promotion," the study added.
