Water Privatization
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Elitist politics and economics: the real Aquino legacy
July 1, 2016
The next presidency is challenged to tackle a worst-ever jobs crisis, heightened inequality,and pro-foreign and pro-business policies sown under Aquino’s leadership Towards the end of its six years in office, the Aquino government boasted its legacy of inclusive growth. Indeed for its neoliberal thrusts the Aquino administration may have achieved certain economic outcomes. But for […]
Gov’t privatization of irrigation, calamity unpreparedness amid El Nino hit
April 3, 2016
In the aftermath of the State-sponsored violence and continued harassment of protesting drought-stricken farmers in Kidapawan, North Cotabato, research group IBON criticized the Aquino government’s unpreparedness for El Nino and indicative neglect of agriculture in general, said the group. Department of Agriculture (DA) data shows that the damage caused by El Nino has already reached […]
Better jobs, better water? Privatization undermines work, water rights–WPN
March 22, 2016
#BeyondElections2016 | As International Water Day is celebrated, water right advocacy group Water for the People Network (WPN) reiterates how neoliberal privatization has displaced jobs in the public water sector and led to more expensive water. The United Nations themed this year’s Water Day “Better Water, Better Jobs”. It stated that that 1.5 billion […]
Mega Dams: Profiteering in Infrastructure
March 14, 2016
“The circa 1970s Laiban dam has been recently revived supposedly to augment Metro Manila’s water supply that other dams cannot provide especially during dry months. Also, the last remaining hydro-electric government facility. Angat dam in Bulacan has been offered to bidders after the sale of Magat, Ambuklao-Binga and Pantabangan-Masiway to big private corporations in previous […]