Features
Distribute land to the tiller for free
January 11, 2017
Nine of 10 Filipino farmers are landless, according to the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas. Meanwhile, according to September 2015 data from the Land Bank, 75% of agrarian reform beneficiaries could not pay land amortization. Filipino farmers remain among the poorest of the population. Peace must be based on social justice. Distribute land to the tiller for free. Base […]
Listen: Punlaan Land To The Tiller Food For All Music Album
December 31, 2016
Pagay (Rice) by Salidummay/ Dap-ayan iti Kultura ti Kordilyera (DKK) Neokolonyal – Music and Lyrics by Leo Espelimbergo; Perforomed by Sining Kanlungan Ambahan – Music, lyrics, performance by Samahan ng mga Magsasaka sa Kanlurang Mindoro (SAMAKAMI) Manggagawang Bukid – Music, lyrics, performance by Genalyn Avelino of Unyon ng Manggagawang Bukid sa Kanlurang Mindoro (UMBKM) […]
Filipinos denied economic, social and cultural rights
December 11, 2016
One thing underscored as the nation retackles the Marcos dictatorship is its legacy of neoliberal policies which, far beyond even its huge corruption or ammassed debt, still impacts on the Filipino people’s lives and livelihoods today. Subsequent administrations’ adherence to these policies has kept the Philippine economy backward and underdeveloped while serving the needs […]
Food producers poorer, hungry three years after Yolanda
December 10, 2016
Despite about Php144 billion in funds, the Philippine government has barely delivered on the planned rehabilitation and reconstruction in Yolanda affected areas. The people are more vulnerable, poorer and hungry with uncertain livelihoods and security of tenure. For most farming communities in Eastern Visayas, production has not recovered. “Many farmers are only able to […]
Then and now: US economic intervention in the Philippines
November 14, 2016
During the swearing-in of the new United States (US) ambassador to the Philippines in early November, US Secretary of State John Kerry stressed that the “logic” of the “indelible” US-Philippine alliance is “as compelling today as [it has] ever been”. Newly sworn-in US ambassador Sung Kim in turn highlighted the “ironclad” Mutual Defense Treaty, the […]
Three years after Yolanda: Unmet Yolanda shelter needs, government neglect
November 8, 2016
Resettlement in super-typhoon Yolanda-stricken areas continues to be characterized by substandard houses and lack of basic utilities. Shelter shortage is glaring despite the influx of funds. Slow government response in the three year aftermath of the super-typhoon has extended rehabilitation woes for the victims and survivors. Weak shelter Rommel Portugal, a 45-year-old mechanic-turned arbularyo at manghihilot (herb doctor) […]
US aid and imperialism
October 21, 2016
For daring the US and others to withdraw their aid, President Rodrigo Duterte has been called a “psychopath”. For those whose way of thinking has been systematically warped by colonialism and neocolonialism/imperialism, it is plain madness. As a poor country, why would we shun the “altruism” of rich countries like the US? On the contrary, […]
On the Duterte administration’s economic direction in its first 100 days: Neoliberal economics continues, but nationalist change still possible
October 5, 2016
There is still much to be done for the Duterte administration to overcome the Philippine government’s stubborn adherence to old and discredited anti-Filipino neoliberalism. This overrides and is inconsistent with Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s otherwise pro-poor and pro-Filipino pronouncements. This is also notwithstanding the welcome appointment of activists and progressives to important cabinet and other positions […]
TAX GANERN! DOF’s Tax Reforms Tax the Poor and Relieve the Rich (Part 2)
September 2, 2016
by Sonny Africa (Second of Two Parts) Read Part 1 Significant additional revenues can be raised with some basic reforms in the country’s regressive and pro-elite tax system. This is the most rational and sustainable way of ensuring that there are resources for social and economic spending biased for the needs of the poor majority […]
