News
Jobless, sluggish growth persists contrary to gov’t hype — IBON
November 10, 2021
Economic managers shouldn’t celebrate too soon over seemingly positive third quarter growth as more and more Filipinos lose jobs and increasingly make do with informal work. Economic growth is also still slowing with many sectors years from recovery.
Job losses despite quarantine easing may be early sign of economic contraction – IBON
November 5, 2021
The Duterte administration should not be dismissive of the significant drop in employment and rise in unemployment in September 2021. These are signs that the economy is still floundering despite quarantine restrictions easing and vaccinations increasing.
Suspending TRAIN oil taxes will lower oil prices and ease inflation—IBON
October 23, 2021
Suspending oil excise taxes, can ease the burden of rising prices on ordinary Filipinos, and revenue losses can be compensated by suspending corporate tax cuts. These can be the start of a more progressive tax system and a prelude to better regulation and control over the country’s oil industry.
Duterte admin’s neglect of agri erodes food self-sufficiency — IBON
October 21, 2021
The Duterte government’s glaringly low prioritization of agriculture is worsening the country’s decline in food self-sufficiency. Production support for small farmers and fisherfolk as part of a larger economic stimulus program is even more urgent.
On World Food Day: Widespread hunger justifies more ayuda
October 16, 2021
Hunger and food insecurity are worsening amid the ongoing pandemic crisis. More ayuda has to be immediately given to millions of poor and vulnerable families to ensure that everyone has economic access to food.
Railroading 2022 national budget without ayuda confirms Duterte govt’s apathy
October 2, 2021
Important pandemic emergency aid programs implemented in 2020 were discontinued in 2021 and are also not in the proposed 2022 budget. The budget and social welfare departments should bat for this in the 2022 expenditure plan in Senate and bicameral deliberations
Worsening joblessness and informal work can be fixed with immediate ayuda, stimulus
September 30, 2021
Latest labor force data of high unemployment and increasing informal workers should be a wake-up call for government to immediately undertake stimulus measures.
Billionaire tax can fund ayuda and health–IBON
September 27, 2021
The Duterte government’s insistence that it lacks funds for a bigger COVID-19 response does not hold water. Substantial revenues can be raised by taxing the country’s super-rich who can well afford to contribute much more to pandemic response and other needs.
Still only token ayuda in 2022 budget – IBON
August 30, 2021
The Duterte administration’s proposed 2022 budget once again refuses to give the ayuda that millions of Filipinos need to alleviate the economic distress from lockdown-induced disruptions to livelihoods. COVID-19-related emergency assistance programs have been discontinued. There is some additional funding for existing social welfare programs but this falls far short of huge needs since the pandemic.
