Advocacies
IBON hits big miners over threat of international arbitration
March 28, 2017
The COMP recently warned that affected mining companies could file arbitration cases should the government not honor mining contracts. It said that a number of these are foreign mining firms that have bilateral investment treaties (BITs) and they could sue the government for compensation. The DENR previously announced the cancellation of 75 mineral production […]
Amid upped military operations, educators reiterate call to save IP schools
March 23, 2017
In the aftermath of the Fourth Mindanao-Wide Conference of the Save our Schools (SOS) Network, transformative education group Educators Forum for Development (EfD) said that the Duterte administration should stop continuing attacks against indigenous people (IP)’s alternative schools. The EfD echoed calls by the SOS Network for military troops to halt operations in and pull […]
Megadams: unuseful, destructive–WPN
March 23, 2017
Ten thousand families in nine barangays inhabited by the Dumagat and Remontado indigenous peoples stand to be affected by the impending revival of the New Centennial Water Source Project (NCWS) in Rizal and Quezon In forums and activities held around international commemoration of people’s action for rivers and against large dams and in pursuit of […]
Impending water rate hikes baseless, terminate CA – WPN
March 22, 2017
Advocacy group Water for the People Network (WPN) said that looming water rate hikes are unwarranted since consumers have long been over-charged to ensure profits for the two water concessionaires. On World Water Day, the group said that the Duterte administration should rescind the onerous concession agreements (CA) with the Pangilinan-Salim group’s Maynilad Water Services, […]
While poor remain homeless, private business gains from “socialized” housing
March 22, 2017
As the National Housing Authority serves eviction notices to members of urban poor organization Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY) who have occupied long-vacant and dilapidated relocation units in Pandi, Bulacan, research group IBON said that the so-called socialized housing largely benefits private developers through public-private partnerships (PPPs). These private realty and construction firms garner profits […]
Private sector-led housing program undermines meager housing budget (IBON Facts & Figures excerpt)
March 17, 2017
“The problematic private sector-led housing program of government further undermines the meager housing budget. So-called low-cost socialized housing, for instance, now has a price ceiling of Php450,000, which was increased from its previous Php400,000 to encourage private developers to participate in the production of socialized housing units as well as reflect higher construction costs. Many […]
Lumad schools under attack in mineral-rich Mindanao
March 17, 2017
These Lumad schools, most of which are recognized by the Department of Education, have been under attack by State military and paramilitary troops known to secure big mining, logging, coal energy operations and corporate plantations. Thousands of teachers, students, and entire communities are victims of harassment, land grabbing, ransacking, encampment of public facilities, strafing, villification, […]
People-centered development vital for consumer rights
March 16, 2017
Prior to #WorldConsumerRightsDay, Filipino consumers including those for a #BetterDigitalWorld converged in a forum, expressed their woes and aspirations and vowed to continue working for #SocialEconomicChange Various consumer groups gathered in a conference last Monday in Quezon City to tackle the social and economic reforms needed to promote consumer welfare. The event participants recognized the […]
Privatized Water: Profit over Welfare
March 12, 2017
A Forum on Water Privatization, Large Dams, and Indigenous Peoples In commemoration of International Day of Action Rivers against Large Dams Water is very essential to support peoples’ basic needs and should be free, safe, and accessible to the people. It has a vital role in the country’s agricultural development and national industrialization. To […]
