Action For Economic Reforms

[http://www.aer.ph Action for Economic Reforms (AER)] is a Philippine non-government organization engaged in research and advocacy. [http://www.adb.org/AnnualMeeting/2002/NGOs/PHI.asp] It was founded in 1996 by a group of progressive scholars and activists as an "independent, reform-oriented and activist policy group".See [http://www.aer.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=472&Itemid=68&limit=1&limitstart=0 Chartering New Paths.]

AER works on macroeconomic issues, with an emphasis on fiscal and tax policies [http://www.pcij.org/blog/?p=2125] , and looks at their impact on equity, poverty reduction, and sustainability. As part of its macroeconomic intervention, AER also addresses exchange rate, monetary, and trade issues.

AER likewise concerns itself with creating the conditions for long-term growth. In this context, AER gives attention to the role of institutions. It has pursued advocacy on building state capacity that will enable markets and correct market failures. A key aspect of the work on institutions is the promotion of transparency, especially the legislation of access to public information. [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=46117 People’ right to know upheld in Freedom of Information bill, "Philippine Daily Inquirer" ] AER also forges strong linkages between civil society organizations, on one hand, and [http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2006/0526_pimentel2.asp legislators] , technocrats, and other government officials, on the other, to arrive at the right mix of policies and reforms.

While Philippine concerns occupy an extensive part of its programs, AER is also known for its regional and global work on crucial development issues like financing for development, the Millennium Development Goals, international trade, capital flows, regional integration as well as government transparency and disclosure. [http://www.gdnet.org/middle.php?oid=1457&zone=org&action=org&org=3862] It has worked with organizations with regional and worldwide units like the European Union [http://www.dfa.gov.ph/news/pr/pr2005/jan/pr957.htm EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO FUND FOUR (4) RP PROJECTS WORTH PHP 28 MILLION, "Department of Foreign Affairs Press Release"] ,Focus on the Global South, Oxfam, Christian Aid, and the Global Transparency Initiative on many of these issues. It has also collaborated with renowned economists that among others include Nobel Prize recipient Joseph Stiglitz [http://www.adb.org/AnnualMeeting/2002/NGOs/PHI.asp] and UN Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development Jomo K. Sundaram. [http://www.networkideas.org/ideasact/nov04/ia02_IDEAs_Bangkok_Manila.htm IDEAs Workshop on 'Liberalisation, Macroeconomic Policy and Development options in Asia']

AER writes weekly columns in two major Philippine business dailies. [http://www.aer.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=67&Itemid=63 Yellow Pad] is published in the [http://www.bworldonline.com/BW090108/content.php?id=146 BusinessWorld] and takes on political, social and economic policy issues affecting the Philippines. Manuel Buencamino writes political commentaries for AER in the [http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/08062008/opinion02.html Business Mirror column,] [http://www.aer.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=68&Itemid=72 Dispatches from the Enchanted Kingdom] . These articles, [http://www.aer.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=76&Itemid=62 policy papers] , and [http://www.aer.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=84&Itemid=73 statements] can be found on the [http://www.aer.ph AER website] as well as in the [http://serp-p.pids.gov.ph/byInst.php3?pid=29 Socioeconomic Research Portal of the Philippines.] AER has also come up with titles such as The State and the Market : Essays on a Socially Oriented Philippine Economy [The State and the Market: Essays on a Socially Oriented Philippine Economy. Filomeno S. Sta. Ana III (ed.). Action for Economic Reforms; 1998. Distributed exclusively by Ateneo de Manila Univ. Pr. ] and The Philippine Electric Power Industry Reform. [Malaluan, Nepomuceno.(2003)The Philippine Electric Power Industry Reform: Atragedy of ADB amd World Bank Private Sector Fundamentalism and Unaccountable Government. Quezon City: Action for Economic Reforms] [http://www.aim.edu/home/announcementc.asp?id=622]

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