International and Regional Issues

Implement land reform and develop the rural economy!

January 30, 2017

The call for land reform is among the twelve points illustrated in IBON’s 2017 “Promoting pro-people economics” planner drawn from the People’s Agenda for Change. The comprehensive agenda for social, economic and political reforms fleshes out a program for nationalist and progressive change based on the Filipino people’s daily and historical plight. Hundreds of people’s […]

Duterte admin’s econ direction troubling, but peace talks may stir change?

January 18, 2017

While the unorthodox Pres. Rodrigo Duterte gained popular support due to its pro-poor pronouncements and promise of change, research group IBON said that the neoliberal economic agenda prevails as  Duterte’s economic managers and other dominant groups push big business-biased/free market-oriented policies over people-centered reforms. Nevertheless, IBON also said that the ongoing peace negotiations between the […]

“Change Underway?” IBON 2016 Yearend Birdtalk Paper (Introduction)

January 16, 2017

  Pres. Rodrigo Duterte brashly entered the national political scene on the back of widespread public dissatisfaction and with vivid promises of change. The new pro-poor administration would be different and overturn the domination of the traditional powers that keep the country poor and underdeveloped: oligarchs, corrupt politicians, drug lords and organized crime, and even […]

Meaningfully distribute income, wealth and assets

January 13, 2017

Growth is not felt by the poor majority. The wealth of the 10 richest Filipinos grew 220% within 2010-2015 while the real value of the average daily basic pay of wage and salary workers rose by just 5.3%. From 2015-2016, the net worth of the 40 richest Filipinos grew by almost 14% while the real […]

Substantially increase wages

January 13, 2017

The daily minimum wage remains insufficient for the basic needs of a family of six. The daily minimum wage in the National Capital Region (Php481), the highest in the country, is not even half of the family living wage of Php1,119. The gap between the minimum wage and the family living wage also continues to widen. […]

Create jobs by building national industry

January 13, 2017

The country’s worsening jobs crisis sees more and more Filipinos in poor quality work. Six of 10 are either non-regular and agency-hired workers, in private households, self-employed, own-account workers, or in unpaid family work. Quality jobs bring peace. Create jobs by building national industry. Base peace on people-centered development.

Artwork by Jennifer T Padilla Quintos

Listen: Punlaan Land To The Tiller Food For All Music Album

December 31, 2016

Pagay (Rice) by Salidummay/ Dap-ayan iti Kultura ti Kordilyera (DKK)   Neokolonyal – Music and Lyrics by Leo Espelimbergo; Perforomed by Sining Kanlungan   Ambahan – Music, lyrics, performance by Samahan ng mga Magsasaka sa Kanlurang Mindoro (SAMAKAMI)   Manggagawang Bukid – Music, lyrics, performance by Genalyn Avelino of Unyon ng Manggagawang Bukid sa Kanlurang Mindoro (UMBKM)   […]

Protect PH econony, drop Cha-cha, lawmakers told

December 14, 2016

Protect PH economy, drop Cha-cha, lawmakers told   As the Duterte administration embarks on amending the highest law of the land, research group IBON called on legislators and government officials to stop moves to change the economic provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Not allowing Charter Change (Cha-cha) in this aspect can be a concrete […]

Filipinos denied economic, social and cultural rights

December 11, 2016

  One thing­ underscored as the nation retackles the Marcos dictatorship is its legacy of neoliberal policies which, far beyond even its huge corruption or ammassed debt, still impacts on the Filipino people’s lives and livelihoods today. Subsequent administrations’ adherence to these policies has kept the Philippine economy backward and underdeveloped while serving the needs […]