SONA 2020: “Boracay is doing well because of its scenery”

July 28, 2020

BIRD FEED

The president is at the commanding heights of policymaking in the country. If this last SONA showed anything, it’s the lack of leadership over pandemic response at the very top — Pres. Duterte doesn’t seem to appreciate the worst public health crisis and economic decline in the country’s history.

Beyond capacity and overwhelming incompetence

July 19, 2020

BY MARICAR PIEDAD

The Duterte administration must act now and prevent the health system from collapsing and the Filipino people from succumbing to both the pandemic and poverty.

The unbelievable indifference of the Duterte administration

July 16, 2020

FEATURES

The Duterte government insists that it is successfully responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The reality is a little bit different – it hasn’t done enough, and is planning to do even less.

IBON opens to gov’t inspection days before anti-terrorism law effectivity

July 15, 2020

NEWS

With the Anti-Terrorism Law soon coming into effect, research group IBON opened their office for inspection by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and Bgy. Sacred Heart officials. The ocular inspection was requested to show IBON’s transparency and prove the absence of illegal materials and equipment on the premises.

On the BBB fix: Why do you build me up?

July 11, 2020

FEATURES

The government is still hell-bent on pursuing a grand infrastructure program amid the pandemic and despite its actually bleak accomplishments so far. The government says it will revise its list of infrastructure projects to adapt to COVID-19. But does it really have the will to shift the focus of its infrastructure program, or even the capacity to fully implement this?

Gov’t creating pretext to use Anti-Terrorism Law against IBON?

July 11, 2020

The persistent falsehoods and malicious accusations spread by the PNA and NTF-ELCAC appear to be laying the groundwork for the Anti-Terrorism Law to be used against the institution and its research and education work. These accusations are however baseless and IBON will continue to explain socioeconomic and political issues, uphold the interest of the marginalized majority of Filipinos, and advocate against unjust and inequitable economic structures.

Higher inflation for poorest Filipinos underscores urgent need for continued cash subsidies

July 8, 2020

NEWS

Higher inflation is problematic but particularly burdens the poorest Filipinos. Inflation rates for the 30% poorest households are higher than the national average. Especially amid historic joblessness, this affirms how the government should continue giving cash subsidies as income support, the group said.

Extend Preparation through a 6-month Bridge Period, and Postpone School Opening to January 2021

July 7, 2020

POLICY NOTE

The EFD shares in the objective of ensuring the right and access to education of Filipino learners, and believes that learning should continue despite the pandemic. But we cannot support any rushed implementation without ensuring the maximum support to the three most important stakeholders – teachers, learners and parents.

Talking ‘bout a (bike) revolution

July 1, 2020

BIRD FEED

In Metro Manila, you have to be a warrior to assert more sustainable options for mobility, including simply being a pedestrian. You have to fight for a lane, a space, a green light, a minute. And as a female cyclist, you also have to fight for a little respect. On the road, we are the lowest form of life, along with the mass of public transport commuters who struggle everyday to get to their destinations. It’s a lonely road.