The Philippines is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean.

It is an archipelago made up
of 7,106 islands.The Philippines has a mixed economic system which includes a variety of private
freedom, combined with centralized economic planning and government regulation.

The Philippines is primarily considered a newly industrialized country, which has an economy in
transition from one based on agriculture to one based more on services and manufacturing.

Primary exports include semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment, garments,
copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, and fruits. Major trading partners include Japan,
China, the United States, Singapore, South Korea, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Germany, Taiwan and
Thailand. The Philippines has been named as one of the Tiger Cub Economies together with Indonesia,
and Thailand. It is currently one of Asia's fastest growing economies. However, major problems remain,
mainly having to do with alleviating the wide income and growth disparities between the country's
different regions and socioeconomic classes, reducing corruption, and investing in the infrastructure
necessary to ensure future growth.

Nowadays, the increasing prices of petroleum products has been one of the major concerns of drivers
and motorists. The fuel price hike also affects the prices of basic commodities, which adds up to become
an issue to some of us.It was recently reported that Philippines would be the most affected when oil
prices reach as certain rate.

When President Duterte delivers his State of the Nation Address (SONA) at a joint session of Congress
tomorrow, Monday, it will mark the start of the second half of his administration. A great deal is
expected in these next three years , especially in the economic field. The World Bank sees the
Philippines as the fastest growing economy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
today. It is now the 13th largest economy in Asia, and projected to be the 5th largest in Asia and 16th
largest in the world by 2050.

President Duterte signed last May 28 Executive Order No. 80 removing a final roadblock to an oil
exploration, development, and production agreement between the Philippine Exploration Corp. and the
China National Offshore Oil Corp. The administration had earlier signed its first agreement with an
Israeli company in 2018 covering a 416,000-hectare area east of Palawan.

Inflation and jobs are the top issues that Filipinos want to hear from President Rodrigo Duterte when he
delivers his fourth State of the Nation address last MOnday.

The El Niño wreaked havoc in the agricultural sector and caused water shortage in the greater Metro
Manila area. We need to pass bill creating the Department of Water Resources and Water Regulatory
Commission.

A science-based national land use plan would serve as basis for the LGUs in crafting respective
development plans, and help disperse economic activities to the countryside.
The dispersion of economic and business activities to Visayas and Mindanao is not just a campaign
promise. It is an economic imperative and a key to our country’s sustainable and equitable development.
We will encourage investments that would develop the rural areas and Metro Manila and other mega
urban areas.

We shall continue to invest in the countryside through agricultural programs that will increase the
productivity and income of our small farmers and fisherfolk.

We shall ensure the full implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law, including the Rice Competitiveness
Enhancement Fund. This will safeguard the livelihood of small farmers through the provisions of modern
farm equipment and machineries, seeds and credit, and extension services.

signed the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act, a significant piece of
legislation to improve service delivery and fight corruption, still until now.

Based on complaints received by the Contact Center [ng] Bayan, Contact Center [ng] Bayan --- that’s in
my office --- the LTO, SSS, BIR, LRA, and PAG-IBIG are the top five agencies that need to drastically
improve their service.... Simplify and make your services responsive to --- client-friendly. Your client is the
Filipino, our employer --- from where the money in our pockets come from, from our salaries.

I urge Congress to review and pass the Government Rightsizing Bill to reconfigure the existing Metro
Manila-centric bureaucracy; streamline government systems in order to deliver services without delay
and within a short timeline.

Mayors --- mayors. I am directing also the DILG, Secretary Año of the local government to see to it that
this is honored. All clearances, permits emanating from your office that would need also your approval,
must be out at the very least within 3 days.

He vowed to take responsibility for the shortcomings of his administration and pursue programs that
would protect Filipinos as well as improve their quality of life.