Degree Programs for the Paralegal 2019

A paralegal is another name for a legal assistant. The National Association of Legal Assistants recorded more than six hundred education and training programs in the United States. There is a variety of courses available in a number of colleges and universities. Paralegal studies can be completed at community colleges, four-year colleges or by using online institutions. Programs can take as little as six months to more than five years if you are pursuing a masters degree. A Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) is normally the goal of a many of these training programs. Such educational programs would qualify students for an entry level positions in a law facility such as a file clerk or legal secretary. There are associates, bachelors and masters degrees available under paralegal studies. Many more colleges, universities, and online institutions offer paralegal bachelors and associates degrees than masters degree programs. A masters degree in paralegal studies is a little more difficult to come by. .uf70421ce70cdeb07b18d7dccc2857dc3 { padding:0px; margin: 0; padding-top:1em!important; padding-bottom:1em!important; width:100%; display: block; font-weight:bold; background-color:#eaeaea; border:0!important; border-left:4px solid #34495E!important; box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); -moz-box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); -o-box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); -webkit-box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); text-decoration:none; } .uf70421ce70cdeb07b18d7dccc2857dc3:active, .uf70421ce70cdeb07b18d7dccc2857dc3:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; text-decoration:none; } .uf70421ce70cdeb07b18d7dccc2857dc3 { transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; } .uf70421ce70cdeb07b18d7dccc2857dc3 .ctaText { font-weight:bold; color:inherit; text-decoration:none; font-size: 16px; } .uf70421ce70cdeb07b18d7dccc2857dc3 .post Title { color:#000000; text-decoration: underline!important; font-size: 16px; } .uf70421ce70cdeb07b18d7dccc2857dc3:hover .postTitle { text-decoration: underline!important; } READ How to Maximize your InternshipA two year degree, an associates program, in paralegal studies would probably include courses such as family law, torts, legal writing, case law research, civil rights and other legal subjects. Even though the program is only two years long, it can equip a student with a basic understanding of the business of law. There is a more in depth experience provided in a bachelors degree program in paralegal studies. More liberal arts an more legal topics will be covered. The courses in a bachelors degree program in paralegal studies covers basic civil law in greater depth than that of an associates degree, and it allows for more elective classes. Paralegals have held positions in law offices since the nineteen sixties. There are a number of responsibilities that a paralegal may be required to handle, and these might be just as many as an attorney would have to handle. The educational requirements for paralegals have grown along with the demands and complexity of the position. Many law firms will no longer accept only associates degrees, and only hire those with a bachelors degree or higher. .ucadd8fac483b81fd016894ad7da1cec2 { padding:0px; margin: 0; padding-top:1em!important; padding-bottom:1em!important; width:100%; display: block; font-weight:bold; background-color:#eaeaea; border:0!important; border-left:4px solid #34495E!important; box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); -moz-box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); -o-box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); -webkit-box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); text-decoration:none; } .ucadd8fac483b81fd016894ad7da1cec2:active, .ucadd8fac483b81fd016894ad7da1cec2:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; text-decoration:none; } .ucadd8fac483b81fd016894ad7da1cec2 { transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; } .ucadd8fac483b81fd016894ad7da1cec2 .ctaText { font-weight:bold; color:inherit; text-decoration:none; font-size: 16px; } .ucadd8fac483b81fd016894ad7da1cec2 .post Title { color:#000000; text-decoration: underline!important; font-size: 16px; } .ucadd8fac483b81fd016894ad7da1cec2:hover .postTitle { text-decoration: underline!important; } READ Career Opportunities With a Criminal Justice DegreeIt is important to remember that with many online degree programs, bachelors degrees can be obtained in less than three years, and an associates degree might be obtained in less than two years. If you are interested in pursuing an education in the paralegal field, consult some of the law firms in your area about what their requirements are. Related ArticlesEarning a Bachelors Degree in Paralegal StudiesParalegal Degree Options OnlineA Paralegal Studies Degree OnlineGetting an Associates Degree in Paralegal StudiesEmployment Opportunities With an Associates Degree in Criminal JusticeGetting a Paralegal Degree Online

The Fall of the Roman Empire Essays - 1265 Words

The fall of the Roman Empire in the West is seen as one of the most pivotal points in all of human history. This event traditionally marks the transition from classical civilization to the birth of Europe. There is an absolutely tremendous scholarly interest in this subject; thousands of books have been published and endless numbers of essays and theories, as to the cause, have been written. Why did the Roman Empire in the West fall? It is difficult to pinpoint a simple explanation. Some scholars have tried to identify one main problem which caused the fall. Some say the culprit is lead, and its use in water pipes; others find that Christian ideology is to blame. The issue is confusingly complex and it stands to reason that one†¦show more content†¦If, as seems likely, it was the upper levels of Roman society that suffered most from lead poisoning, some of these effects could have negatively affected those who ran the empire . Lead was in fact used for domestic water lines a nd in the main aqueducts. Its use was so common that the workers who produced the pipes were called plumbarii, which translates to â€Å"lead men† in English. This connection may seem valid, but when examined further the correlation is not convincing. An obvious argument against this hypothesis is the fact that, well beyond the fall of the Roman Empire, even into the modern era, lead pipes are being used with seemingly no recognized harmful effects. A more specific refutation lies in the hardness or softness of the water. â€Å"If the water has been flowing over sedimentary rocks then it acquires a calcium carbonate content which not only makes the water hard but also forms a shell inside the pipes effectively insulating them from the water flowing inside.† The land where roman towns were mostly built is sedimentary, so it can be reasonably assumed that local water reserves flowed through sedimentary deposits. With this calcium deposit inside the pipes the water and pipe are essentially not in contact with one another and therefore the lead cannot contaminate the water. Another theory places the blame on the rise of Christianity. Within thisShow MoreRelatedFall of the Roman Empire1288 Words   |  6 PagesThe Pax Romana was a two hundred year time period where the Romans had peace and prosperity under Augustus. The Roman empire started to decline at the end of the prevail of the last five emperors, Marcus Aurelius in 161-180 A.D. The rulers in the next century had no idea how to deal with the problems the empire was having. There was many reasons to the fall of the Roman Empire but three stood out the most. The preliminary reason was the economy begins to decline. The alternative reasoning was RomeRead MoreThe Fall Of The Roman Empire1537 Words   |  7 PagesAncient Rome was an empire so dominant, wealthy and economically- stable which came to a dramatic fall in the period of 250AD- 500AD. Ancient Rome faced unexplained unfortunate events which crumbled the Great Empire from the affluent empire to a impoverished society. For centuries historians have timelessly theorised and analysed many debates and research in relation to the Fall of the Roman Empire. What really caused the predominate Roman Empire to fall? Did Rome fall naturally? Was disease, suchRead MoreFall of the Roman Empire758 Words   |  4 PagesTaylor Davino Professor Horsley HIS 126 3 March 2010 The fall of the Roman Empire Political, economic and social aspects were all involved in the fall of the Roman Empire. In 395 A.D., Rome was divided into two empires, with one capital in Rome and the other in Constantinople. During that time, the western Roman Empire was being invaded by barbarian tribes from the North. In 410, the Visigoth tribe succeeded in conquering the western capital in Rome. In 476, the western EmperorRead MoreThe Fall Of The Roman Empire1419 Words   |  6 PagesThe Roman Empire was a powerful governing body of extensive political and social structures throughout western civilization. How did this empire fall and were internal factories responsible? Slow occurrences in succession to one another led to the fall of the empire rather than one single event. The fall of the Roman Empire was a combination of both internal and external pressures, not just one, leading up to the complete decay of the cities—Rome and Constantinople. However, one could argue how oneRead MoreThe Fall Of Ro man Empire1185 Words   |  5 PagesThe Fall of Roman Empire Roman Empire was considered as one of the most influential and dominant Empire in the history that has ever existed. â€Å"The Roman Empire at its zenith in the period of the Principate (roughly, 27 BC to AD 235) covered vast tracts of three continents, Europe, Africa, and Asia† (Garnsey). It was an ancient, modern Empire, and it supported anyone who made discoveries and technological improvements. The Empire was the strongest governing body in the Mediterranean. If the RomanRead MoreThe Fall Of The Roman Empire1440 Words   |  6 PagesSophie Loren Plays a Leading Role in the Fall of the Roman Empire? The reason for the fall of the Roman Empire is a controversial topic under much historical debate. How did such a great empire, known for being one of the largest that lasted over a millennium, fall? The Roman Empire transitioned from a republic to an empire in 31 BCE. Augustus Caesar was the first emperor. He created harmony in Rome, but not in calendars as he added August as the eighth month to follow July, which was named afterRead MoreFall of Roman Empire1175 Words   |  5 PagesThe Fall of the Roman Empire The Ancient Roman empire was one of the most prominent and successful societies of its time period. By the end of their reign, the Romans had conquered almost all of the Mediterranean including parts of present day Europe, Asia, and Africa. Rome was at its strongest during the rule of Augustus Caesar, this time was known as the â€Å"Pax Romana† or Roman peace. It wasn’t until later, when Emperor Trajan took over in about 98 C.E. that the Empire reached its peak. AfterRead MoreThe Fall of the Roman Empire609 Words   |  3 PagesThe Fall of the Roman Empire There are adherents to single factors, but more people think Rome fell because of a combination of such factors as Christianity, and economy, and military problems. Even the rise of Islam is proposed as the reason for Romes fall, by some who think the Fall of Rome happened at Constantinople in the 15th Century. Most people think it occurred during the fifth century, after the western division of the empire. There were several reasons for the fall of the Roman EmpireRead MoreThe Fall Of The Roman Empire1438 Words   |  6 PagesThe Roman Empire was one of the most powerful empires in the history of mankind. In 476 CE Odoacer defeated Romulus Augustus to capture Rome; most historians agree that this was the official end of the Western Roman Empire. There is much debate on how exactly Rome declined and eventually fell. The fall of Rome was a long process that took place over many centuries. There are five main schools of thought on why Rome fell. First, Christianity, offered by Edward Gibbons; He suggests that ChristianityRead MoreThe Fall Of The Roman Empire1495 Words   |  6 PagesFor a long period of time, the debate about the cause of the fall of the Roman Empire has been a popular topic amongst historians. Most of these historians look at the issue from a standpoint that accepts that there were most likely several causes. The main root of the issue is whether or not these causes were internal or external. Some historians even go more in depth and try to hypothesize what the internal or external causes were. In fact, Adrian Goldsworthy and Peter Heather do just this when

Death Camp Essay Example For Students

Death Camp Essay Steve VoytkoHistory 1110Throughout history, injustices on humanity have been visible. The Jewish Holocaust has to be one of the most prominent. In 1933, the Nazi Party led by Adolf Hitler sanctioned anti-Jew campaigns that included the Nuremberg Laws, which defined the meaning of being Jewish based on ancestry. Because of these laws, Jews were isolated from society. This was only a meager element of what European Jews had yet to endure. Jews were progressively forced out of the German Economy, and their assets were turned over to the German government and the public. With the degradation of the Jewish people came organized demonstrations by the Germans. Businesses were destroyed, synagogues demolished, and nearly a hundred Jews killed. In many ways this was the start of Hitler and his Nazis Aryanization. In a meeting of Hitlers elite officials, the idea of complete annihilation of Jews in Europe was manufactured. In 1938 the Nazis plan for the Jewish people were outlined in The Final Solution. This was a plan that included deportation, exploitation, and eventually extermination of European Jews. Derivations from The Final Solution were concentration and death camps of Germany and Poland and other parts of Nazi controlled Europe. In September 1939, Germany invaded western Poland. Jews that remained in German controlled territories were taken to ghettos and/or concentration camps that were set up to alienate Jews from the rest of the public. The quality of living included lack of food, sanitation, as well as malice from the Nazi guards. Jews were required to wear Yellow Stars of David on the sleeves of their clothes. A Jew could be killed with little consequence for not displaying this tattoo of damnation for all to see. Thousands of prisoners in concentration camps died simply of expo sure to disease and starvation. Josef Mengle, also known as The Angel of Death, performed callous experiments on twins, dwarves and other genetically diverse subjects in hopes of advancing and breeding the so-called Aryan Race of perfect Germans for Hitler. Those Jews, shunned less fortunate, usually women, children, and the elderly, were escorted to gas chambers, firing squads. Other able-bodied men were transformed into laborious workers. Over three million Jewish Europeans were sentenced to die in concentration and death camps. One of the more infamous of these was Auschwitz where it is said that over one million Jews alone died wrongfully.In 1945, World War II came to an end with the Axis powers surrendering before the Allied invasion of Europe. When the Allies liberated the camps in Germany, Poland, and other areas that were Nazi controlled, what they found was piles of decaying bodies lying in pits and in sheds. For the vicious atrocities carried out by some of Hitlers preeminent officers, dozens were killed or imprisoned. A multi-national allied group of men held trials where the guilty were hung, imprisoned for life, and only three were acquitted for the crimes they were accused with. Over the next few years other trials were held and hundreds of Nazis were successfully convicted of crimes committed in wartime.The Holocaust was one of the most famous events in modern history. Tadeusz Borowski wrote a book about his encounters and daily activities as a captive in a Nazi prison. He tells about the harshness experienced by him and his fellow Jews. His poetic style makes the book somewhat interesting and is informal for such a horrific instance that happened more than 50 years ago. On July 1, 1951 Borowski committed suicide at the age of 29 and not only did he take his life, but he took possibly one of Polands greatest poets. .u8b727c1899e9fd79bc53a9f0d8c632bf , .u8b727c1899e9fd79bc53a9f0d8c632bf .postImageUrl , .u8b727c1899e9fd79bc53a9f0d8c632bf .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u8b727c1899e9fd79bc53a9f0d8c632bf , .u8b727c1899e9fd79bc53a9f0d8c632bf:hover , .u8b727c1899e9fd79bc53a9f0d8c632bf:visited , .u8b727c1899e9fd79bc53a9f0d8c632bf:active { border:0!important; } .u8b727c1899e9fd79bc53a9f0d8c632bf .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u8b727c1899e9fd79bc53a9f0d8c632bf { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u8b727c1899e9fd79bc53a9f0d8c632bf:active , .u8b727c1899e9fd79bc53a9f0d8c632bf:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u8b727c1899e9fd79bc53a9f0d8c632bf .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u8b727c1899e9fd79bc53a9f0d8c632bf .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u8b727c1899e9fd79bc53a9f0d8c632bf .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u8b727c1899e9fd79bc53a9f0d8c632bf .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u8b727c1899e9fd79bc53a9f0d8c632bf:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u8b727c1899e9fd79bc53a9f0d8c632bf .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u8b727c1899e9fd79bc53a9f0d8c632bf .u8b727c1899e9fd79bc53a9f0d8c632bf-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u8b727c1899e9fd79bc53a9f0d8c632bf:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Motion EssayWith as many differences our societies have today another holocaust will never be allowed by any country. Besides its immorality the holocaust of then was so significant that another instance will not be able to advance to a point where millions of people are executed. The senseless slaughter of millions of innocent people at the hands of Nazi butchers was incited when a man by the name of Adolf Hitler came to rule over Germany. The Nazi wrought terrible death and destruction on Europe in the following years, beginning with Aryanizationand ending with The Final Solution in a maniacal plot to exterminate and purify the human race. This event and it contents should be remembered by all that are human. What had transpired sixty years ago should reflect on future instances where people dont get alone because of the differences they have with one another. Let us leave this as a very tragic time in world history and remember those who were killed needlessly and make life better for those who survived The Living Death. Words/ Pages : 814 / 24

The Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 How Special Is It Essay Example

The Special Economic Zone Act of 1995: How Special Is It? Essay Cabatos 1 Lawdemhar T. Cabatos Ms. Louyzza Maria Victoria H. Vasquez English 10 21 March 2013 The Special Economic Zone Act of 1995: How Special Is It? Approved on February 24, 1995, the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995, the â€Å"act providing for the legal framework and mechanisms for the creation, operation, administration, and coordination of special economic zones in the Philippines, creating for this purpose, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), and for other purposes,† took effect on the very day President Fidel Valdez Ramos imprinted his signature on the bill (â€Å"Republic Act No. 7916). It is the government? s declared policy to materialize state policies and provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Section 20, Article II of the 1987 Constitution states, â€Å"The State recognizes the indispensable role of the private sector, encourages private enterprise, and provides incentives to needed investments† and Section 12 of Article XII declares that â€Å"The State shall promote the preferential use of Filipino labor, domestic materials and locally produced goods, and adopt measures that help make them competitive,† (â€Å"The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines†). By virtue of Republic Act No. 916, the Philippine government hopes to fulfill the mandates of its constitution. Before we deal on how special Republic Act No. 7916 really is, what are special economic zones (SEZs)? Defined in Republic Act No. 7916, Special Economic Zones (SEZs) or ECOZONES are â€Å"selected areas with highly developed or which have the potential to be Cabatos 2 developed into agro-industrial, industrial, tourist/recreational, commercial, banking, investment and financial centers. An ECOZONE may contain any or all of the following: industrial estates (IEs), export processing zones (EPZs), free trade zones, and tourist/recreational centers. The law defines an industrial estate (IE) as â€Å"a tract of land subdivided and developed according to a comprehensive plan under a unified continuous management and with provisions for basic infrastructure and utilities, with or without pre-built standard factory buildings and community facilities for the use of the community of industries. † An export processing zone (EPZ) is â€Å"a specialized industrial estate located physically and/or administratively outside customs territory, predominantly oriented to export production. A free trade zone is â€Å"an isolated policed area adjacent to a port of entry (as a seaport) and/or airport where imported goods may be unloaded for im mediate transshipment or stored, repacked, sorted, mixed, or otherwise manipulated without being subject to import duties† (â€Å"Republic Act No. 7916†). For years, industrialization has been centered in key cities the National Capital Region for Luzon, Cebu for Visayas and Davao and Cagayan de Oro for Mindanao – leaving other regions trailing behind the Philippine industrialization scheme. We will write a custom essay sample on The Special Economic Zone Act of 1995: How Special Is It? specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Special Economic Zone Act of 1995: How Special Is It? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Special Economic Zone Act of 1995: How Special Is It? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Thus, special economic zones, as stated in the objectives of the law, are created to promote rural industrialization by transforming selected areas in the country into highly developed industrial, commercial and financial centers thereby promoting flow of both foreign and local investors and generating employment opportunities for the area? s labor force and ultimately supporting the government? s effort to reduce unemployment (â€Å"Republic Act No. 7916†). Economic zones are also thought to promote balanced growth by providing jobs especially to rural areas. Employment generation by special economic zones, in theory, bridges the poverty gap among social classes and balances the regional income inequality among regions (Clarete and Veron). Cabatos 3 To promote the flow of local and foreign investors into special economic zones, the law provides special incentives to enterprises located in special economic zones, including exemptions from taxes under the National Internal Revenue Code. The law states that no taxes, local or national, shall be imposed on business enterprises operating within the ECOZONES. Instead, five percent (5%) of the gross income within the ECOZONE shall be remitted to the national government. Incentives are also given to enterprises located in export processing zones (EPZs) and free trade zones. Special permits for the importation of capital equipment and raw materials that are not subject to duties, taxes and other import restrictions are given to these businesses (â€Å"Republic Act No. 7916†). Through giving prospective investors tax incentives, the government aims to reel in foreign investors and urge local investors to establish businesses in special economic zones. Prior to the establishment of special economic zones in the Philippines, other Asian countries have already created special economic zones with the goal of attracting foreign direct investment, easing extensive unemployment, supporting a wider economic improvement policy, and as experimental laboratories and test economies for the application of new policies and approaches (Farole and Akinci). Studies have been conducted in recent years to look into the cost-to-benefit ratio and economic and social impacts of policies enacted for the creation of special economic zones in these countries. In China, for example, the Third Plenum of the 11th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party adopted the Open Door Policy in 1978 and in 1980, four municipalities in two provinces were designated as special economic zones, opening China to global contact and influences. Almost immediately, the four special economic zones accounted for 59. 8% of the total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in China. Since then, the SEZs continued to result in high rates of Cabatos 4 economic growth in China (Yeung, Lee and Kee). Analysis on the economic statistics of Chinese municipalities from 1978 to 2007 showed how special economic zones benefit the economy of China. Special economic zones increase per capita municipal foreign direct investment by 58% in foreign-invested and export-oriented industrial enterprises. Further analysis on the statistics also showed that the special economic zones increased municipal foreign owned capital stock while keeping the domestic capital and investment at a competitive level. Special economic zones also bring more advanced technology and increased total factor productivity by 0. 6% (Wang). Despite the economic benefits special economic zones have brought to China, several cases have turned up showing unsuccessful implementation of special economic zones in several countries. Quite a number of zones have become „white elephants? , zones that resulted in an industry taking advantage of tax breaks and incentives but are unable to generate substantial employment or export returns (Farole and Akinci). Similar to the SEZs, Industrial Development Zones (IDZs) have been established in South Africa. However, unlike the impressive performance of special economic zones in other countries which transformed their economies into tiger economies, IDZs in South Africa have failed to sufficiently attract foreign investments or compete internationally (Altbeker, McKeown and Bernstein). In India, the designation of special economic zones has generated and constantly increased employment in regions where special economic zones are established. Figures may seem large, but when employment enerated by special economic zones in India is analyzed on a national level, special economic zones in India accounted for only less than one percent (1%) of the total manufacturing employment since their establishment in 1966 (Aggarwal). Cabatos 5 In the Philippines, special economic zones have already been established even before the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 became a law. It was in 1923 that the Chambe r of Commerce of the Philippines first conceptualized the creation of export processing zones or special economic zones. By 1967 the first export processing zone, the Bataan Export Processing Zone (BEPZ) was established by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 66 of then-President Ferdinand Marcos. Since then, several others have been established including two of the country? s major special economic zones the Clark Special Economic Zone and the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (Mallari and Padilla). The Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 was the government? s response to the call of rural industrialization of the 1993-1998 Medium Term Philippine Development Plan. In pursuit for the aim of dispersing the industrialization scheme outside the National Capital Region, the government developed special economic zones through its Philippines 2000 program (Mallari and Padilla). With the SEZs? goal of promoting the flow of investments and generation of employment, studies have been conducted focusing on three of the major special economic zones in the country, the Bataan Export Processing Zone (BEPZ), the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) and the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, to look into the benefits and drawbacks of creating these special economic zones to Philippine economy and society. Looking into the working conditions of the Bataan Export Processing Zone, survey results have shown that majority of the labor force was composed of female workers, accounting for seventy-four percent (74%) of the total workforce, 67% of which are young or are 24 years old and below. Moreover, workers have been found to be well-educated relative to the job they have been hired for in the Bataan Export Processing Zone. Sixty percent (60%) had finished high school education and 16% pursued a post-secondary education (Mallari and Padilla). Cabatos 6 Significant difference in the wage of male and female workers was lso observed. Female workers were given a lower basic wage relative to that of male workers. Furthermore, one-third of the employees were paid below the minimum wage for the Bataan region. Despite the uneven and insufficient wages of workers, laborers sill work six days per week. A quarter of the labor force worked for 60 hours and 5% worked for more than 70 hours per week, wh ere 46% worked overtime. The study reported that the working hours of workers per week in the Bataan Export Processing Zone were greater than the standard working hours of 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week (Mallari and Padilla). In conclusion, the Bataan Export Processing Zone was observed to have failed in creating sufficient opportunities of employment for the labor force in Mariveles, Bataan because of the limited capacity of enterprises to absorb the ever-increasing supply of labor in the area. The BEPZ, despite being momentarily able to generate adequate employment opportunities, has not catalyzed the growth of other economic activities in the region (Mallari and Padilla). The Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) and the Subic Bay Freeport Zone were created by virtue of Republic Act No. 227, otherwise known as the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992. The act aimed to convert Clark and Subic U. S. military bases, together with their extensions and substations, into productive civilian and economic use of lands through the establishment of special economic zones (â€Å"Republic Act No. 7227). Similar to the performance of the Bataan Export Processing Zone, the Clark Special Economic Zone, despite having been able to continuously expand employment opportunities in Pampanga and increased the value of exports, has not proven to have generated substantial employment. The thousands of job opportunities provided for the labor supply in Pampanga is not significant in proportion with total employment of Pampanga (Mallari and Padilla). Cabatos 7 A study on the decisive factors in establishing enterprises in Subic concludes that investors opt to create businesses in Subic because of competitively-priced raw materials and the abundance of skilled and literate labor force (Go and Tatad). Add the incentives given to these enterprises and you get a multi-million dollar business enterprise booming in profit while compromising the benefits and quality of their labor force. How special then is the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 and its SEZs? We recall that the goal for the enactment of this law and the creation of special economic zones is to take the Philippine industrialization scheme outside of Metro Manila, promote rural industrialization and the spur of economic activity in less urbanized regions, generate employment and ease the regional income inequality and the poverty gap among social classes. However, there seems to be a mishap, not on the law but on the implementation of the law. In policy, special economic zones promote balanced growth by spreading the industrialization in rural regions and SEZs are indisputably effective in promoting foreign and local investments in areas where they are located. Although SEZs have been established outside the National Capital Region, it is evident that a large number of these SEZs, especially the largest and most dynamic ones have been established in areas proximate to NCR and still leaving behind Visayas and Mindanao in the economic progress of Luzon. There have been improvements in the national regional income inequality but are largely due to changes in inequality between top ranking regions in Luzon (Clarete and Veron). Just how special is it then? Cabatos 8 China and other Asian countries have done it. Why haven? t we? Is it because of the law? No. It is because of the poor system that we have, a system driven by money and stained by corruption. And unless we start the change to a cleaner, more efficient and a better system, „special? would only be in the name of Republic Act No. 7916, not on Philippine society. Cabatos 9 Works Cited Aggarwal, Aradhna. Impact of Special Economic Zones on Employment, Poverty and Human Development. Working Paper. Indian Council for Reserch on International Economic Relations. May 2007. Web. 15 March 2013 Alejandro, Ethel P. and Roselie B. Tubeo. Clark Special Economic Zone: An Assessment of Costs and Benefits. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Diliman School of Economics, Octobe r 1998. Print. Altbeker, Antony, Katie McKeown and Ann Bernstein. Special Economic Zones: Lessons for South Africa from international evidence and local. Centre for Development and Enterprise Round Table. Johannesburg, South Africa: The Centre for Development and Enterprise, June 2012. Web. 15 March 2013 Anderson, Eric Moltzau. Economic Implications of Clark and Subic. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Diliman School of Economics, September 1996. Print. Beltran, Barbara and Ma. Lumen B. Isleta. The Establishment of Industrial Estates in the Philippines: an Inquiry into the Impact of Bataan Export Processing Zone on the Philippine Economy. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Diliman School of Economics, 18 March 1981. Print. Clarete, Kenneth Jordan M. nd Alvin F. Veron. Economic Zones and the Regional Income Inequality in the Philippines. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Diliman School of Economics, April 2009. Print. Cabatos 10 Farole, Thomas and Gokhan Akinci. Special Economic Zones: Progress, Emerging Challenges and Future Directions. Washington DC: The World Bank. 2011. Web. 16 March 2013 Go, Marie Fleurdeliz Uy and Maria Raissa Cantero Tatad. A Case Stu dy on Foreign Investment in Philippine Special Economic Zones: The Analysis of the Factors Significant to Foreign Firms Investing in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Diliman School of Economics, March 1995. Print. Inciong, Leslie M. and Ma. Joy Kathleen U. Rabago. An Evaluation of the Economic Performance of Two Hybrid Ecozones: Subic Bay Freeport and Calabarzon Growth Network. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Diliman School of Economics, 16 October 1998. Print. Mallari, Christine Mae G. and Mary Prudence H. Padilla. Employment Generation and Working Condition at Clark Special Economic Zone. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Diliman School of Economics, 2000. Print. Republic Act No. 7227. 13 March 1992. Philippine Bases Conversion and Development Authority. 20 March 2013. Web. 20 March 2013 Republic Act No. 7916. 24 February 1995. Official Gazette. Web. 11 March 2013. The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines . 11 February 1987. Official Gazette. Web. 11 March 2013 Cabatos 11 Wang, Jin. The Economic Impact of Special Economic Zones: Evidence from Chinese Municipalities. Job Market Paper. London School of Economics. November 2009. Web. 13 March 2013 Yeung, Yue-man, Joanna Lee and Gordon Kee. Chinas Special Economic Zones at 30. The Chinese University of Hong Kong. 2009. Web. 19 March 2013.