National Socioeconomic Situation
Then and now: US economic intervention in the Philippines
November 14, 2016
During the swearing-in of the new United States (US) ambassador to the Philippines in early November, US Secretary of State John Kerry stressed that the “logic” of the “indelible” US-Philippine alliance is “as compelling today as [it has] ever been”. Newly sworn-in US ambassador Sung Kim in turn highlighted the “ironclad” Mutual Defense Treaty, the […]
Three years after Yolanda: Unmet Yolanda shelter needs, government neglect
November 8, 2016
Resettlement in super-typhoon Yolanda-stricken areas continues to be characterized by substandard houses and lack of basic utilities. Shelter shortage is glaring despite the influx of funds. Slow government response in the three year aftermath of the super-typhoon has extended rehabilitation woes for the victims and survivors. Weak shelter Rommel Portugal, a 45-year-old mechanic-turned arbularyo at manghihilot (herb doctor) […]
Most Filipinos opposed to more foreign ownership in PH economy – IBON Survey
November 4, 2016
Nine of 10 Filipinos do not approve of further opening up the Philippine economy to foreign ownership of land and the exploration and development of natural resources Research group IBON’s recent survey showed that the majority of Filipinos are against further foreign ownership in the country’s economy. Asked if they favored the proposal to further […]
IBON Survey: Filipinos think raising workers’ wages should be govt’s top concern
November 3, 2016
In research group IBON’s latest survey, Filipinos top-ranked raising workers’ wages among the most important concerns that government should address. Meaningful and gainful livelihood and improvement of social services emerged as second and third top concerns, respectively. Survey respondents were presented with a list of primary national concerns. These included upholding economic sovereignty, nationalization of […]
2015 poverty results no reason for complacency–IBON
October 27, 2016
While welcoming the reported decrease in official poverty incidence, research group IBON said that the multi-billion peso conditional cash transfer (CCT)-driven result is no reason for complacency. The official figure hopefully reflects improved welfare among tens of millions of the poorest Filipinos, IBON said, but the signs of structural poverty from economic backwardness remain. The […]
IBON Survey – 7 out of 10 Filipinos see themselves as poor
October 27, 2016
70.8% of respondents said they are poor According to research group IBON’s latest survey, the majority of Filipinos consider themselves poor. Asked what they can say about the situation of their families today, seven out of ten or 70.8% of respondents said they are poor. Only 25% said they are not poor, while the rest […]
US aid and imperialism
October 21, 2016
For daring the US and others to withdraw their aid, President Rodrigo Duterte has been called a “psychopath”. For those whose way of thinking has been systematically warped by colonialism and neocolonialism/imperialism, it is plain madness. As a poor country, why would we shun the “altruism” of rich countries like the US? On the contrary, […]
Many Filipinos had trouble spending on food and services in past three months–IBON Survey
October 18, 2016
Research group IBON’s most recent survey shows many respondents saying that they had difficulty in buying food and paying for their children’s schooling and health expenses. Asked how their family met food, schooling and health expenses in the past three months, majority answered that they had difficulty in buying food while more respondents had difficulty meeting […]
Science of change
October 16, 2016
As they become more scientific, organic farming practicioners learn to be more observant, inquisitive and critical of their context and social issues that affect the agriculture sector, their communities, and the whole society. Aside from the practice of collective work that has brought back cooperation among farmers, the increased social awareness has also weakened the […]
