Features

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 […]

TAX GANERN! DOF’s Tax Reforms Tax the Poor and Relieve the Rich (Part 1)

September 2, 2016

by Sonny Africa (First of Two Parts) The Department of Finance (DOF) will submit a tax policy reform program to Congress in September. The administration’s economic managers are using Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s current popularity to push an unpopular pro-rich neoliberal tax agenda. The proposed program lowers the tax burden on the rich and on big […]

Challenge to Real Change

July 25, 2016

On the day of the State of the Nation Address, IBON explains why the 10-point economic agenda hangs like a dark cloud over pro-people economics prospects and even the chief executive’s recently-affirmed popularity   #SONA2016 #justpeacePH | IBON Features  The unorthodox candidate and eventually President Rodrigo Roa Duterte made a flurry of announcements before and […]

Filipino Steel and National Development

July 18, 2016

By Sonny Africa IBON FEATURES – A genuinely Filipino iron and steel industry is a vital strategic element for Philippine socioeconomic development, stability and national security. It can still serve as the backbone of manufacturing and national industrialization even amid the hyped globalization of the 21st century. The government needs to overcome decades of neoliberal […]