Legal Framework on the Implementation of the Human Resource Management Reforms in the Philippines After the Marcos Era Up to the Duterte Administration

This study is aimed at filling the gap and will discuss the overview of both the legal reform processes happening in the public sector of the Philippine government and of recent developments and challenges initiated by the Civil Service Commission of the Philippine government as its Central Personnel Agency. This chapter will cover the years commencing 1986 up to the present dispensation of the Duterte administration where the primary goal is to study and suggest the approaches to reforming the Civil Service system and its decision-making process. It also outlines the discourses on the reform of public service among educators and public officials in the Philippines. Then, it elaborates on the laws and institutional measures introduced for an effective public personnel administration system in the country. A documentary analysis on the successful practices of public personnel administration will be used to evolve on the possible steps/strategies to further enhance the delivery of personnel services of the government sector workforce in the Philippines.

Transportation policy potholes: analyzing Metro Manila’s COVID-19 response

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine government was already implementing policies and building infrastructure aimed at improving the country’s road-based public transportation system and alleviating impacts of traffic congestion, especially in Metro Manila. However, with the pandemic, new priorities emerged. Public transportation now plays a vital role in controlling the spread of the disease while, at the same time, ensures that essential services are accessible, and public transport providers are sufficiently supported. This paper analyzes the road-based public transportation policies of the government during the pandemic using a multi-dimensional framework. In general, and in principle, we see that the government policies issued are consistent with the recommended transport policies that must be implemented during such crisis. However, there are some strategies that are untimely implemented, such as the mandatory utilization of the integrated terminals, the forced consolidation of transport providers, and the continuing modernization of jeepneys.

Cultural Considerations to the Life Participation Approach in Aphasia: A Filipino Case Study

Stroke is among the common causes of chronic disability (Feigin, 2014). Around one-third of stroke survivors are affected by aphasia, a communication disorder affecting the ability to comprehend and express oneself (Dickey, et. al., 2010). Culture is essential to understanding aphasia and providing person-centered care. Philippine cultural identity is reflected via respect for older persons, collectivism in family and community, and devotion to religion (Pe Pua & Protacio-Marcelino, 2000). The Filipino family is a primary support system, and cultural values directly influence caregiving approaches in chronic disability. This single case study examines the life of a Filipino man who has successfully lived with aphasia for over 25 years. Having finished a doctorate from Harvard University, served as the youngest University president, and member of the Philippine government, he suddenly had a stroke and was able to communicate only via single words, gestures, and facial expressions. His life is discussed in the context of the unique, multi-modal communication system which developed through the years with his family. Music and symbolism via watercolor paintings also define his aphasia journey. The value of religion in Filipino culture (Cruz, et. al., 2019) and its role in fostering positivity in his aphasia journey is examined. This study also highlights Filipino collectivism through the support of family and community in addressing communication needs and facilitating meaningful relationships at various stages in life. Cultural values deeply rooted in Filipino caregiving, such as debt of gratitude and filial devotion to parents (Enriquez, 1992), are discussed.

Women During General Community Quarantine (GCQ): A Case Study

The Philippine government has imposed General Community Quarantine (GCQ) measures to slow the risk of the spread of COVID-19. This study seeks to identify the problems women encountered during this period and determine solutions to address those problems. Descriptive qualitative method multiple case study design was used. With thematic analysis, results found out that women are burdened by family security and financial capability, which contributes to the triple role of women. Moreover, resiliency has emerged as the main factor in solving these burdens. This study contributes to the fifth Sustainable Development Goal, gender equality, and women empowerment.

Cultural Preservation of Panay Bukidnon-Halawodnons Amidst Emergent Society

Ethnic groups are known as minorities in any society. However, the richness of their culture can never be undermined, rather, it serves as defining stuff of history that is worthy of being upheld and preserved. This ethnographic study was specifically designed to investigate how the Panay Bukidnon-Halawodnons in barangay Agcalaga, Calinog, Iloilo, Philippines upheld their cultural society amidst the influence of the mainstream institutions in their community during the 1st quarter of 2019. The informants were chosen through purposive sampling on the basis of the inclusion criteria set before them. Permission from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the cultural community was secured prior to the conduct of fieldwork in the said area. The researchers performed data triangulation and ground truths for the validity of data and observed data saturation for the reliability of the gathered data. NVivo 12 Plus was used for conceptual analysis while the researchers themselves did the analytic analysis. Barangay Agcalaga is generally on its midway progress. Being a cultural community, the Panay Bukidnon-Halawodnons in this place maintain their cultures such as Council of Elders, "binanog" dance, rituals in farming, house construction, circumcision, dagaan, luy-a luy-a, and batak-dungan; bayanihan; babaylan; and love of nature while their lost cultures include binukot; serenade (harana); traditional IP house; burial rites (embalming); dowry system; primitive costumes (bahag and patadyong). The Philippine government is called to ratify the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention No. 169 or Convention 169 to fortify the cultures of the Indigenous Peoples not only in Calinog, Iloilo but also in the entire country.

50 Years A Slave

The Philippines has been deploying migrant workers to more than 192 countries, with a rising number that exceeds up to a million workers every year. In 2009, the record of migrant workers’ remittances went up to 17.4 billion US dollars from 10.4 billion US dollars in 2005. Reports showed that remittances comprise a bigger portion of the Philippines’ gross domestic product, as it contributed 10.8% to the GDP in 2005, and 11.1% in 2009. After more than 50 years of deploying Filipino workers overseas, the Philippines should have improved with its labour policies and implementing them. Yet, reports on abuses of Filipino workers can still be read and heard. This paper reviews the two most controversial cases where the Philippine government had failed to protect its migrant workers by analysing its then labour policies; and how they have impacted the labour and migration sectors to ensure the welfare of its migrant workers. Further, this research discusses reoccurring issues such as delayed services from government agencies, lack of administrative skills to process complaints and cases of Filipino migrant workers, poor communication and coordination among government offices, labour policies that do not abide by the constitution, and the unfair provisions in the treaties between Philippines and destination countries for low-skilled workers. Keywords labour migration, migration, migrant workers, labour policies

Analyzing the relationship between information technology jobs advertised on-line and skills requirements using association rules

Online job vacancy sites have become an important source of information about the characteristics of labor market demand. It has become an avenue for job matching by both employers and employees and to study and analyze the labor market. This study proposed a methodology for identifying and analyzing skill-job relationships using frequency word occurrences of skills as a requirement of the job. It employed association rule mining which aims to discover frequent patterns, relationships among a set of items in the database. It collected published job vacancy data to IT job and skills requirements from various job portal websites. The proposed job skill requirements for specific I.T. jobs published online analyzing using the FP-growth algorithm of association rule provide a new dimension in labor market research. The study revealed that skill words are highly related to a certain job requirement. The results of the study could provide insights on the gap between the school acquired skills and actual IT industry skill needs and as the basis for curriculum enhancement and policy-making interventions by the Philippine government in its educational system.

COVID-19 and persons with disabilities in the Philippines: A policy analysis

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic warrants an immediate response. Persons with disabilities (PWDs) are one of the most vulnerable populations susceptible to marginalization. While there are existing guidelines in the Philippines that aim to assist their basic needs, a call for inclusivity in policymaking for the COVID-19 response is highly advocated. This paper aims to analyze existing policy guidelines concerning the welfare of PWDs in the country based on several policy domains. Methods: Relevant documents were acquired through extensive search of government and nongovernment websites and news agencies. Literature included memorandums, circulars, and news bulletins in the period between January 2020 to May 2021. This study conducted a framework analysis on policies enacted by the Philippine government during the COVID-19 pandemic concerning PWDs. The framework was divided into eight areas: access to (1) information, (2)healthcare, (3) education, and (4) financial support, (5) protection from infection in residential settings, (6) reasonable accommodation, (7) consideration for disabled people facing multiple exclusions, and (8) inclusion to decision-making process. Results: Fifteen PWD related COVID-19 response documents from the Philippines were reviewed and analyzed. Most policies corresponded to themes related to financial support and reasonable accommodations. Most documents were limited to proposals and suggestions with only a few documents including specific details on how the program will be implemented and monitored. Conclusion: The state has proven its cognizance for PWDs; however, implementation and its impact remain to be seen. The government needs to evaluate these efforts to identify gaps and barriers. A comprehensive national database should be implemented to centralize registration of PWDs, and efforts should be made to inform and educate PWDs of their rights and of existing programs. Most importantly, PWDs should be included in the discourse and decision-making process to ensure programs are acceptable and accessible.