Rail Transport Privatization
Gov’t must ensure efficient and accessible transport for all–IBON
February 28, 2018
Policy study baring unsound transport policies released Research group IBON said that the Philippine government’s policies have increasingly opened the transport sector to profit-oriented control, thereby privatizing the transport system and undermining public usage of this very basic service. Government should reverse this trend and strengthen the public transport system to improve people’s mobility and […]
2018 prosperity by Duterte policies not for all—IBON
January 2, 2018
Admin’s avid push for market-driven measures will run over the poor majority The new year seems to usher in more difficulties for Filipinos in accessing basic goods, public utilities, and services amid government’s exclusionary policies, research group IBON said. The market-driven policies that have been prioritized by the Duterte government such as the Tax Reform […]
Gov’t assures private profits over MRT commuter welfare
November 29, 2017
The government’s assurance of private profits from day one has led to the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 woes that has put commuter welfare on the line, said research group IBON. The latest series of train breakdowns and mishaps is but the tip of the iceberg and will persist under a privatized light rail system. […]
Building destruction? Foreign creditors gain more from Duterte’s infra plan
July 21, 2017
by Arnold Padilla #PeoplesSONA2017 / IBON Features — One of the anticipated highlights of President Rodrigo Duterte’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) is his grand infrastructure plan dubbed Build! Build! Build!. There are concerns that it would result in a heavy debt burden. The issue is valid. After all, the price tag of […]
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 […]
‘Dutertenomics’: golden age of oligarchic and foreign interests in infrastructure?
April 20, 2017
“Build, build, build” is said to be the foundation of the Duterte administration’s development plan, which his economic managers are packaging as “Dutertenomics”. The plan is supposed to usher in a “golden age of infrastructure”. But despite the attempt at branding, Dutertenomics is neither new nor unique. Its cornerstone of massive infrastructure development is still […]
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 […]
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 […]
There is room for pro-people economics but 10-pt agenda concerning–IBON
July 16, 2016
“While there are sunny prospects, the 10-point agenda of neoliberal policies hangs over like a dark cloud,” said research group IBON’s executive director Sonny Africa yesterday at its political and economic briefing. In its 2016 Midyear Birdtalk held at the University of the Philippines, IBON welcomed the Duterte administration’s opening of opportunities for pro-people measures […]
