2nd quarter growth rates point to economic headwinds

August 22, 2017

Research group IBON said that the recently released 2017 second quarter national accounts underscore the serious headwinds facing the Philippine economy. The group said that the Duterte administration should focus on building sustainable domestic foundations of growth and development rather than depend on external factors such as remittances, cheap labor business process outsourcing (BPO), and […]

IBON AVP: Haciendas Remain

July 30, 2017

On peace talks interruption:  Negotiated econ reforms risk being lost–IBON

July 21, 2017

#PeoplesSONA2017 / Research group IBON said that the interruption of peace talks between the government and the NDFP also interrupts important discussions on economic reforms. The group said this in the aftermath of the announcement of Jesus Dureza, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, that the back-channel talks with the National Democratic Front of the […]

Dutertenomics: lost cause?

July 20, 2017

During the Duterte administration’s first year, there was all the hype about aiming for inclusiveness and championing the common Filipino family’s dream for a comfortable life. The President took important, some unprecedented steps including hinting nationalism, willingness to work with progressives in the cabinet and pursuit of peace negotiations. Yet the administration capitalized on bloody […]

Mga Gera ni Digong: Ang Unang Taon ng Rehimeng Duterte

July 14, 2017

Download Usapang IBON Midyar 2017 Praymer here “Tampok ang kawalan ng anumang makabuluhang pagbabago sa pangkalahatang programa at direksyon ng pambansang ekonomya sa paglalahad ng pamamahala ni Pangulong Duterte. Sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mga itinalagang opisyal sa ekonomya na kabilang sa masusugid na neoliberal sa bansa at mga dating ahente ng mga imperyalistang institusyon, pinanatili at itinataguyod ni Duterte ang […]

More glitches of privatized MRT3 in 2016 bared

July 12, 2017

#PeoplesSona2017/ Research group IBON attributed Metro Rail Transit Line 3’s (MRT3) more frequent breakdowns to the privatization of the rail transport. The group reminded government that passing on to corporations the State’s role to provide the people with a rail transport system, as with other basic utilities, has by experience been at the expense of […]

DepEd streamlining of Grade 10 Social Studies ignores democracy, governance lessons–EFD

July 5, 2017

Transformative education advocates belonging to the Educators Forum for Development (EFD) expressed concern about the Department of Education’s (DepEd) latest Contemporary Issues curriculum revision. The measure effectively removes topics pertinent to students’ grasp of and attitude towards issues that have been afflicting Philippine society until now, the group said. The DepEd released an April 21, […]

DTI scrapping of SRP harmful to consumers–IBON

July 1, 2017

Research group IBON said that the trade department’s order to give the private sector the free rein in determining the price of basic goods will harm consumers especially the poor majority. This is a form of deregulation whereby the government reneges on its responsibility to regulate the price of  basic goods and protect consumers, the […]

Rehashed neoliberal policies: One year of Dutertenomics

June 28, 2017

The Philippines is in a worsening socio-economic crisis. The direction of economic policies under the Duterte administration is alarming and in urgent need of correction. The government’s economic team still uses the anti-development policy framework of past administrations which will mean greater economic distress for the majority of Filipinos. The economy’s poor performance since June […]