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Duterterioration of the Philippine economy

June 3, 2021

Under the Duterte administration,the Philippine economy was already weak before the pandemic and made worse by inept COVID-19 response.

The TRIPS waiver on Covid-19 pharmaceuticals and the Big Pharma

June 2, 2021

There is a raging debate about whether or not the WTO should temporarily waive some intellectual property rights of Covid-19 pharmaceuticals. Developed countries oppose the proposal, but recently the US has announced its limited support, while the EU continues to wrangle over its necessity. For proponents, the waiver would speed up and scale up vaccine production and contribute to a faster vaccination process in poorer countries.

There’s money for bigger Bayanihan 3: Economic managers just refusing to give more — IBON

May 26, 2021

There is more than enough money for bigger emergency aid and stimulus in Bayanihan 3 if only the economic managers prioritize ayuda.

Ayuda still needed even with shift to GCQ

May 15, 2021

Giving the Php10,000 ayuda demanded is extremely urgent. The amount merely approximates the government’s low official poverty threshold of Php10,756 and certainly does not come close to compensating the past year of collapsed incomes, anxiety and difficulty for tens of millions of Filipinos.

The Filipino elderly are left behind

May 13, 2021

For a nation that supposedly keeps strong traditions of filial piety, it should be a source of shame that many of its elderly are living in poverty and now disproportionately at risk of dying from the coronavirus.

Negative econ growth underscores jobs crisis – IBON

May 12, 2021

The first quarter 2021 economic performance is the clearest proof that government hype of employment surpassing pre-pandemic levels are hollow. The quality of work is deteriorating and the number of unemployed is higher compared to a year ago.

On the first quarter 2021 GDP growth: Govt missteps stalling real PH recovery

May 12, 2021

The government claims to be balancing health and economic concerns. The first quarter economic contraction, however, confirms that we are instead getting the worst of both worlds – economic losses and human suffering.

Gov’t hyping employment gains to avoid giving more ayuda, stimulus – IBON

May 6, 2021

Latest labor force figures show that Filipinos are not regaining their jobs and incomes and, on the contrary, are desperately trying to make a living in whatever way they can.

Greater Manila ECQ/MECQ shallow without aggressive COVID response – IBON

May 5, 2021

Repeated quarantines to slow the spread of COVID-19 will be futile if it is not coupled with sufficient health and economic measures so that citizens can return to work safely, have more purchasing power, and spur economic activity.