Ronilo Balbieran
| Ronilo Balbieran | |
|---|---|
| Born | Philippines |
| 🏳️ Nationality | Filipino |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| 👩 Spouse(s) | Richelle Hernandez |
Ronilo M. Balbieran is a Filipino economist, e-commerce and digitalization specialist, and infrastructure policy planner. He serves as vice president for operations at the Research, Education and Institutional Development (REID) Foundation and teaches at the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P).
Early life and education
Balbieran earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities from the University of Asia and the Pacific. He completed his Master of Science in Industrial Economics at the same institution from 1998 to 2003, and later pursued his Doctor of Philosophy in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of the Philippines Diliman from 2012 to 2020.[1]
Career
As an e-commerce, digitalization, and infrastructure policy specialist, Balbieran serves as vice president of the REID Foundation, a Philippine think tank focused on research and policy development. He is also an economics professor at UA&P and has served as a consultant for the Department of Trade and Industry.[2]
Economic analyses
Infrastructure and corruption
Balbieran's research has revealed that construction firms in the Philippines allocate 15-35% of project costs to "other costs of doing business" - a euphemism for corruption-related expenses like bribes and grease money.[3] He notes these costs lead to compromised construction quality through the use of substandard materials or "ghost workers."[4]
Economic growth
Balbieran advocates for infrastructure spending at 10% of GDP to achieve China-like growth rates, though acknowledges this exceeds current government capacity.[5] He emphasizes regional development, particularly in Calabarzon, to help achieve national poverty-reduction targets.[6]
Inflation and agriculture
In 2023, Balbieran predicted Philippine inflation would fall below 4% by December due to three factors:[7] 1. Base effects from the Russia-Ukraine War impact 2. Global economic slowdown 3. Strong Philippine agricultural growth
He advocates for digitalization of agriculture and logistics to mitigate economic risks.[8]
Risk assessment
Balbieran identifies El Niño as the Philippines' greatest economic risk, with a 56% chance of the strongest recorded event occurring in 2024.[9] He notes only political instability or major calamities typically drive negative GDP growth in the Philippines.
Personal life
Balbieran is married to Richelle Hernandez. They have five children: three daughters and two sons.
References
- ↑ "UA&P Graduate Programs". University of Asia and the Pacific.
- ↑ "PPP Center opens in Calamba amid bullish Laguna economy". Philippine News Agency. February 2, 2024.
- ↑ "Construction costs bloated by project delays, corruption". The Philippine Star. January 9, 2020.
- ↑ "Corruption eats up 15-35% of construction firms' budget". Philippine Daily Inquirer. January 9, 2020.
- ↑ "Subic Port key to Central, Northern Luzon development". The Daily Tribune. September 19, 2023.
- ↑ "PPP Center opens in Calamba amid bullish Laguna economy". Philippine News Agency. February 2, 2024.
- ↑ "PH inflation drops to 5.4 percent". SunStar Cebu. July 6, 2023.
- ↑ "PH inflation drops to 5.4 percent". SunStar Cebu. July 6, 2023.
- ↑ "El Niño is PH's biggest risk". SunStar Davao. February 22, 2024.
External links
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