Comprehensive reportage and analysis of current social, political and economic factors that directly effect government policy-making can now be found over the Internet at http://www.webphilippines.com/publicpolicy.

The site was made possible through the cooperative efforts of Web Philippines, Inc., a two-year old company that specializes in designing and hosting Filipino content sites over the Internet, and the University of the Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UP-CIDS).

"Public Policy" is quarterly publication that provides in-depth analysis of critical local issues such as law and order while also focusing on development in the Southeast Asian Region that influence the Philippine economy.

It is put together by some of the most respected practitioners from various professions, the academe, and print journalism industry such as Amado Doronila, Jose Abueva, Sen. Edgardo Angara, Prof. Benjamin Diokno and Solita Monsod who comprise the editorial staff and list of contributors for the publication.

"This is part of our commitment to increase Filipino presence over the Internet. It is already being used as a forum where American and European social, political and economic concerns are being tackled," said Web Phils. president Ramon Canumay.

"With this project, we would like to maximize the Internet's capacity as a source of information, a vehicle of free speech, and a forum where varying ideas and opinions can be voiced out," he added.

The inaugural issue of "Public Policy" examines the Philippine constitutional crisis, and the role of the military in Philippine democracy; how and why the Southeast Asian currency and financially markets crisis forced the depreciation of the Philippine peso; the rampant kidnapping of ethnic Chinese in the Philippines; and the El Niño phenomenon.

"Being on the Internet allows this magazine to be tried out by a huge audience and if they like what they see, they can fill out an on-line subscription form. Also the readers can easily
e-mail their comments. Feedback always plays an important role for publications that tackles critical issues," said Canumay.

The hosting of "Public Policy" is part of Web Phils.'s plan to open 30 web sites that will benefit Filipinos everywhere before March of 1998. To date, Web Phils. has already opened numerous Filipino-content sites such as sentro.com, a local search engine that links all Philippine-related sites; tindahan.com, a cyber-store peddling locally made goods; and phisix.com, which contains comprehensive information about the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).