Decade of 7% PH Growth: It’s Just A Fantasy

October 18, 2018

By Sonny Africa In a speech before leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Bali, Indonesia, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte said that the country is on an “upward trajectory of growth”. He was echoing the country’s economic managers who were recently touting a recovery of Philippine economic growth to the 7-8% target next […]

The NCR Minimum Wage vs The Family Living Wage (September 2018)

October 17, 2018

PH Economy Duterteriorating | Crisis in Agriculture

October 16, 2018

#WorldHungerDay #UpholdPeopleEconomics Agricultural growth today falls far behind estimated population growth of 1.6% in 2018 and is well below the 7-decade historical average of 3.0% since 1948. The agricultural slowdown is also reflected in massive job losses in the sector. The Duterte administration only gives lip service to improving agricultural productivity amid this severe crisis […]

Bolder measures beyond suspension of fuel excise needed—IBON

October 16, 2018

The Duterte administration’s announcement that it will suspend the next round of fuel excise taxes will not lower current high prices and at best only lessens TRAIN’s inflationary impact next year, research group IBON said. It is however a welcome admission of the inflationary impact of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, […]

IBON — Php238 NCR wage hike doable without worsening inflation

October 11, 2018

As the Metro Manila regional wage board deliberates a minimum wage hike for later this month, research group IBON said that a much-needed Php238 minimum wage increase is possible and need not be inflationary. Millions of Filipino workers including in the National Capital Region (NCR) are burdened by high prices of goods and services. The […]

New large dams onerous for Filipinos — IBON

October 5, 2018

Research group IBON joined other concerned groups and advocates to launch a network opposed to the the Kaliwa, Kanan, and Laiban dam projects of the Duterte administration. The group said that large dams do not deliver their promised benefits and are harmful to communities. Filipinos will be saddled with higher taxes, to pay for their […]

Critical thinking under government attack, transformative education at risk

October 5, 2018

Recent government statements including by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) aim to stifle critical thinking of educators and students. By trying to censor ideas it finds objectionable, the State is violating the public’s right to free expression and academic freedom. This will stop education from being truly transformative. […]

Inflation worsening: Gov’t should act fast as households’ incomes hemorrhage

October 5, 2018

Research group IBON said that inflation has not tapered off as government projected but has accelerated in September, highlighting government’s continued neglect in addressing rapidly rising prices of goods and services. The group said that government continues to push failed neoliberal measures, while feigning concern for Filipino families struggling with a quickly falling purchasing power. […]

Dubai crude trigger price to suspend TRAIN oil taxes already reached, IBON observed

October 4, 2018

The government is already obliged to start considering suspension of its oil excise taxes as provided for under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, said research group IBON. The group said that oil prices have in effect already reached the trigger price for suspending excise taxes as provided in Republic Act 10963 or […]