Headline
Decade of 7% PH Growth: It’s Just A Fantasy
October 18, 2018
By Sonny Africa In a speech before leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Bali, Indonesia, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte said that the country is on an “upward trajectory of growth”. He was echoing the country’s economic managers who were recently touting a recovery of Philippine economic growth to the 7-8% target next […]
Bolder measures beyond suspension of fuel excise needed—IBON
October 16, 2018
The Duterte administration’s announcement that it will suspend the next round of fuel excise taxes will not lower current high prices and at best only lessens TRAIN’s inflationary impact next year, research group IBON said. It is however a welcome admission of the inflationary impact of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, […]
IBON — Php238 NCR wage hike doable without worsening inflation
October 11, 2018
As the Metro Manila regional wage board deliberates a minimum wage hike for later this month, research group IBON said that a much-needed Php238 minimum wage increase is possible and need not be inflationary. Millions of Filipino workers including in the National Capital Region (NCR) are burdened by high prices of goods and services. The […]
Inflation worsening: Gov’t should act fast as households’ incomes hemorrhage
October 5, 2018
Research group IBON said that inflation has not tapered off as government projected but has accelerated in September, highlighting government’s continued neglect in addressing rapidly rising prices of goods and services. The group said that government continues to push failed neoliberal measures, while feigning concern for Filipino families struggling with a quickly falling purchasing power. […]
Dubai crude trigger price to suspend TRAIN oil taxes already reached, IBON observed
October 4, 2018
The government is already obliged to start considering suspension of its oil excise taxes as provided for under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, said research group IBON. The group said that oil prices have in effect already reached the trigger price for suspending excise taxes as provided in Republic Act 10963 or […]
Poor and middle class burdened most by TRAIN’s oil taxes
October 3, 2018
The higher oil excise taxes of the Duterte administration’s Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) is a greater burden on the poor and middle class than the rich, said research group IBON. The poor and middle class, even those few with gains from personal income tax cuts, will suffer cuts in their standard of […]
No to large dams: MWSS water security roadmap may cause more insecurity-WPN
September 26, 2018
The recent onslaught of Super Typhoon Ompong triggered the release of waters from big Luzon dams and caused flooding in low-lying areas. Water rights group Water for the People Network (WPN) said that because of this and other harmful effects on communities and livelihoods, the government should shift away from building large dams to more […]
4th Industrial Revolution: Change is coming?
September 25, 2018
by Sonny Africa Constant technological progress invariably showcases the huge creative potential of people and the immense possibilities to build a society without poverty. We all aspire to a society that continuously improves everyone’s well-being and that is within the planet’s ecological capacity. Outside of abhorrent weapons technology, new technology is always exciting for its […]
Rate hike for Maynilad customers approved: Looming increase in water rates to burden consumers more
September 14, 2018
Amid soaring prices, the MWSS Board of Trustees has given the nod to higher water rates for Maynilad Water Systems Inc. This and impending Manila Water Company, Inc. rate increases are bound to burden consumers anew, said water rights group Water for the People Network (WPN). WPN urged the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System-Regulatory Office […]
