Kalakalan sa pagitan ng Tel Aviv at Pilipinas, hindi masyadong maaapektuhan ng digmaan sa pagitan ng Israel at grupong Hamas
Kalakalan sa pagitan ng Tel Aviv at Pilipinas, hindi masyadong maaapektuhan ng digmaan sa pagitan ng Israel at grupong Hamas;
Unemployment rate ng Pilipinas noong Agosto 2023, bumaba sa 4.4%
Unemployment rate ng Pilipinas noong Agosto 2023, bumaba sa 4.4%
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NewsTranscript
00:00 Inflation and employment rates in the country and the possible effects of the Israel-Hamas conflict in our economy,
00:06 our discussion is with Sir Joey Concepcion, Go! Negosyo founder and private sector lead for jobs.
00:13 Sir Joey, good afternoon. Welcome to the new Philippines.
00:17 Good afternoon.
00:20 Sir, first of all, what is the possible effect of the Israel-Hamas group conflict in the country's economy?
00:29 Well, I think we don't import much from Israel.
00:34 It may have some influence on oil prices but we saw that earlier this year, the oil price dropped.
00:43 It almost reached $100. Now, it dropped to about $70 in July and then it's up now because of the conflict to about $89-90.
00:58 So, the volatility on oil will remain because Israel is close to the oil countries.
01:08 But I am confident that the rest of the commodities, our pressure is almost the same.
01:14 Okay. Yes, you mentioned the oil that could be affected and the rest of the commodities.
01:23 So, we are not looking at other sectors that could be affected by the conflict here in Israel, Sir?
01:31 Well, wheat prices, we've hedged out till next year, July, and it's been stable.
01:39 There are no problems here in Ukraine and Russia which was initially a problem which caused wheat prices to move up.
01:47 But ever since then, wheat prices have come down and are now stable.
01:52 Here in our sugar, the price is okay.
01:55 And the rest of the commodities.
01:58 So, at this point in time, unless we have a very strong storm that would affect our rice production and other agricultural crops, yes.
02:08 But I don't think so. We're entering now the bear months which normally,
02:12 at this time, last quarter, which is the Christmas season, the storms don't normally come at this point in time.
02:23 So, we're entering now.
02:25 So, I'm confident that commodity prices will continue to be where it is today.
02:32 We're not going to increase.
02:34 I said in another station that we're not increasing prices because we have already sufficiently covered our raw materials
02:41 for the first quarter, second quarter next year.
02:44 This is it, sir.
02:45 What is your reaction to the statement of other analysts that if the chaos continues between Israel and Hamas,
02:52 it will also affect and reduce the trade between Tel Aviv and the Philippines?
02:57 What are the products that we're bringing from them?
03:02 Well, basically, it's more on IT technology, digital platforms.
03:10 They've been supporting us in agriculture.
03:13 They've been supporting us also in terms of knowledge.
03:17 It was some vertical farms and other agricultural crops.
03:22 But it's not big.
03:24 I don't think we should worry about it.
03:30 We don't trade too much with Israel, as far as I know.
03:33 I mean, bulk of our purchases are from the rest of ASEAN countries,
03:38 in America, here in our wheat and sugar, the rest of ASEAN.
03:44 So, I think we should be fine.
03:46 I'm very confident that even if it does escalate,
03:51 the problem here is our OFWs who are stuck and can't move home.
03:58 So, those are more of the issues that may concern the government.
04:02 But as to inflationary pressures, hopefully oil doesn't go back to the hundreds.
04:08 It can get there if the war gets bigger and other countries near the conflict areas can influence the price of oil.
04:22 So, I think the price of oil is the threat here if it escalates.
04:29 Okay. In other talks, Sir Joey,
04:33 the unemployment rate in the country dropped to 4.4% last August.
04:39 What do you think are the factors that increase the number of people who have jobs in the country?
04:48 Well, I don't think we should really look at it on a quarter-to-quarter basis.
04:52 I think if we enter Christmas, a lot of people will be rehired, especially our contractuals.
05:02 Because this last quarter, this Christmas season, our consumer spending will go up.
05:11 And we're very positive that people will spend on Christmas.
05:18 That's what's important, that people go out and spend.
05:21 There's no threat here of the pandemic, although COVID cases have slightly increased.
05:28 But there is no threat on that side.
05:31 So, I think we'll be fine in the last quarter.
05:34 And onward to next year, 2024, I think the economy will start to improve.
05:42 Sir, can we see a continued low unemployment rate until the end of the year?
05:49 Well, on Christmas, a lot of people will hire additional workers
05:59 because the number of consumer goods companies is really increasing.
06:06 There will be a lot of hiring, especially in our services, fast foods, restaurants,
06:14 everyone eats out during Christmas season to celebrate Christmas.
06:19 So, that consumer spending will lead to an increase in employment, definitely.
06:26 Speaking of increasing spending this Christmas,
06:30 you know, that's true because I also join in those pop-ups, I just get jealous.
06:37 Sir Joey, I'm sure you know the people behind the Hobby Council, right?
06:43 Because we have a hobby fair that's happening this upcoming weekend.
06:47 Maybe if you're looking for local products from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao,
06:53 we have a hobby fair starting tomorrow until Sunday at the Glorieta Activity Center.
06:59 I'm also part of that, that's why I'm wearing a beautiful Filipino bell.
07:04 Anyway, sir, speaking of entrepreneurship,
07:07 two groups of Filipino entrepreneurs have formed a partnership
07:13 as part of the preparation for ASEAN 2026.
07:17 Can you give us more details about this and what is the significance of this?
07:23 Well, these two organizations, Women This and PhilWEN,
07:28 are two large groups of women organizations.
07:35 We've asked them to work together and there will be one representative
07:42 from each of these organizations to represent us in ASEAN.
07:47 So each women org will have one, so there will be two representatives
07:52 here in our ASEAN Women Network.
07:56 And as early as now, of course, we are preparing for the hosting of the Philippines on 2026.
08:04 But more than that, what we're doing is we're trying to group all the women organizations.
08:10 We know that here in micro and small entrepreneurs,
08:14 most of them are women.
08:17 And we've seen the potential of what we've been doing in GoNegosyo,
08:21 Mentor Me on Wheels, the 3Ms in the different malls, Ayala, Robinson, SM, all of them.
08:28 And we need more mentors so at least we can scale up.
08:33 What we need in micro is to scale up their businesses
08:38 so that their business can grow.
08:41 Our program, which has been going on for 18 years, is really doing very well.
08:47 I see that the advice of the mentors to the mentees of the MSMEs is very important.
08:55 So if we want to generate employment, we have to help the 40% at the bottom of the pyramid,
09:02 the micro MSMEs.
09:04 That's what we need to help.
09:06 So if they are able to scale up, of course, more jobs will be available.
09:11 And that is our goal, to increase the number of jobs
09:17 through helping the micro and small become bigger.
09:22 And that's the formula really of creating prosperity.
09:26 So we need more women organizations that want to join
09:32 and at least now they will have a big brother like GoNegosyo
09:37 to help their respective constituents who are micro, small, and medium enterprises.
09:44 Thank you very much, Sir Joey.
09:47 Maybe you have a message and a reminder to all those who are watching our program today,
09:54 especially those who want to get support from GoNegosyo,
09:59 MSMEs, women, small businesses owners, and those who want to scale up.
10:07 Well, the programs of GoNegosyo are on the news, on the radio, and on social media.
10:14 We have one event this coming Saturday on the 14th in Laguna, SM Laguna.
10:22 And our mentors are there.
10:25 And hopefully you are able to join that.
10:28 These are all free, no charge.
10:30 And that starts from 10 o'clock to about 4 p.m. in the afternoon on Saturday.
10:35 So this type of mentoring events are being rolled around the Philippines.
10:42 And if you want to succeed as an entrepreneur,
10:46 it's very important that you continue to learn, improve your skill,
10:52 find out what are the tips on how you can increase your revenue.
10:57 And on social media, that's also important.
10:59 Because right now, through digitalization, that's the big game changer.
11:03 There are a lot of micro-influencers.
11:05 So what we are doing is we're trying to teach our businessmen to become micro-influencers
11:11 so that they can market their products.
11:13 Not only like in your bazaar that you'll be in,
11:17 it's also good to become a micro-influencer so that they can get to know your brand.
11:21 Whether it's food, whether it's clothing.
11:25 So that's the difference today versus before.
11:28 Before, you have to go through a newspaper, through television.
11:32 Now, it's in your hands, which is basically a cell phone.
11:36 Either you post on Instagram, Facebook, or whatever.
11:40 Actually, DTI is a partner of Go Negosyo.
11:44 It helps MSMEs, especially women.
11:47 You can say that the ones who are really hardworking in the business are the women.
11:52 We are really together.
11:54 Women are usually behind these products, handmade.
11:58 There are also adults, but mostly it's the mothers, grandmothers, and sisters
12:05 who are really helping their families.
12:08 And when we help them, of course, they will also help a lot.
12:13 So, Sir Joey, thank you very much.
12:16 Thank you very much for your time, Sir Joey Concepcion,
12:20 Go Negosyo founder and private sector lead for jobs.
12:23 Thank you, Sir.
12:24 serve.