The 4th Economics Leaders’ Congress: Reversing Brain Drain to Brain: It Starts with YOUth

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Take part of this year’s most awaited youth convention in the Philippines.

More youth will be inspired and empowered nation-builders as the De La Salle University launches the 4th Economics Leaders’ Congress, with its powerful theme:
“Reversing Brain Drain to Brain Gain: It Starts with YOUth”.

The Economics Leaders’ Congress is a gathering of young leaders from all over the Philippines who take part in solving the most compelling social and economic issues at the time. ELC delegates have continuously committed to the mission of making a better and brighter future for all Filipinos.

The theme “Reversing Brain Drain to Brain Gain: It Starts with YOUth” is anchored on the issue that the Philippines is experiencing brain drain as one out of ten Filipinos goes abroad to work in sectors that have higher pay. Although OFWs fuel the economy through remittances, they are only partially compensating the loss because the productivity gains still mostly accrues to other wealthier countries. 

10 Fast Facts about EDSA

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, or EDSA, never fails to elicit a groan from drivers and commuters who have to traverse it every day. Due to its problematic traffic situation, it’s a pain to travel through, especially during rush hour.

But before it became the bane of Filipino motorists’ existence, the road was best known for being part of one of the most significant parts of our history. In 1986, EDSA literally and figuratively became the way to freedom when over two million civilians, politicians, and religious figures stormed the highway in a peaceful protest of the Marcos regime, and proved what a unified nation can do.

In honor of the upcoming 30th anniversary of the People Power Revolution, MyProperty.ph offers 10 quick facts about the historic main thoroughfare of Metro Manila.

1.       From end-to-end, EDSA is around 23.8 kilometers. That’s roughly the length of 1,561 professional basketball courts, or 14,691 Filipino males (who are said to be 162 centimeters tall on average) who play in them.

2.       EDSA passes through six cities of Metro Manila: 11 kilometers of the road is within Quezon City, and the rest is divided among Caloocan, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, and Pasay.

3.       EDSA has gone through many name changes over the years. It started out as the “North-South Circumferential Road” during its construction back in the 1930s. After the country’s independence in 1946 from the Japanese occupation, EDSA was briefly named “Avenida 19 de Junio” or June 19 Avenue, the birth date of national hero José Rizal. Another former name was “Highway 54,” due to the misconception that the avenue is 54 kilometers in length. It wasn’t until 1959 that Republic Act 2140 was passed declaring it the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue after the Rizaleño historian, jurist, and scholar.

LTFRB: Provincial Buses Must Install GPS Devices By April 30

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The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will have increased capabilities to monitor public utility buses (PUB) with the installation of Global Positioning System (GPS) devices on all units.

“The LTFRB’s main aim is to protect the safety of the riding public by regulating the speed limit of buses traversing our national roads and highways. With the use of the latest and innovative technology, we believe we can modernize our transport system and provide the commuters with reliable, convenient, and safe transportation services,” said LTFRB Chairman Atty. Winston Ginez.

The installation of GPS devices on PUBs is a measure being taken by the government to minimize road risk, as the device can help the LTFRB check if a bus is within the speed limit and on its proper route based on the approved franchise.

As mandated by LTFRB Memorandum Circular (MC) Nos. 2015-021 and 2015-026, all bus operators are required to install and register GPS devices on their units based on the following schedule:

· For provincial buses entering Metro Manila: on or before April 30, 2016
· For Metro Manila buses: May 1 to August 30, 2016
· For inter-regional buses not entering Metro Manila: September 1 to December 31, 2016
· For intra-regional buses: January 1 to April 30, 2017