To foster economic literacy among the youth, the Graduate School students of Economic Theory and Practice (EDSS212) of MAED Program organized a seminar entitled “Beyond the Numbers: Understanding the Pulse of the Philippines” on 19 April 2024, at the Ciriaco N. Divinagracia Hall of Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), Pili, Camarines Sur.

The four-hour seminar delved into crucial economic indicators, with topics ranging from GDP, GNI, and national debt, to inflation, unemployment, underemployment, labor force dynamics, poverty, and inequality. The expert speakers are Nelia C. Pecaso-Million, Christine B. Maravilla, Al Florence V. Albo, and Benito B. Caballero Jr., who provided insightful analyses and practical insights into the country’s economic landscape.

The seminar was organized as a Service-Learning Activity of the Master of Arts in Education major in Social Studies program and it served as a platform for integrating economic theories with real-world applications. It aimed to equip attendees with the skills to analyze the performance of the Philippine economy using current macroeconomic data and to demonstrate the practical application of economic theories in addressing societal issues.

The success of the seminar would not have been possible without the invaluable support of the CBSUA community, led by Dr. Alberto N. Naperi, President of CBSUA, Dr. Allan B. Del Rosario, Campus Administrator, Dr. Melinda P. Pan, Dean of the College of Development Education, Dr. Maria Carla Narcisa Baduya, Laboratory High School Coordinator, as well as the dedicated faculty and students of Grades 9 and 10. Their commitment to promoting education and fostering a deeper understanding of economics among the youth is commendable and sets a positive example for future endeavors.

Prepared by: Melchor B. Bravante, MAED-Social Studies