Category: News
Job creation volatile, mostly of poor quality work
September 7, 2019
Research group IBON said that the recently reported job generation is mostly in poor quality work and confirms volatile labor market conditions rather than a strengthening economy. The group made the statement after the recent release of seemingly favorable employment figures and warned against complacency. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported an increase in the […]
Scrap provincial bus ban, find pro-people solution to traffic–IBON
August 13, 2019
Government should find another way of decongesting Metro Manila’s major thoroughfare instead of aggravating the inconveniences of hundreds of thousands of provincial bus commuters, research group IBON said. Commuters’ welfare should be the primary consideration of the Duterte administration in addressing transport woes, said the group, but its approach should be comprehensive and regulation should cover private […]
It is offending China, not war, that Pres. Duterte is avoiding – IBON
July 27, 2019
Research group IBON said that Pres. Duterte’s stance on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue, as expressed in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), is not about avoiding war with China, but is about avoiding offending the Chinese government and losing all its promised funds. Last July 22, Pres. Duterte highlighted the possibility […]
Research group: Davao businessmen may be benefiting from Duterte admin’s infra program
July 26, 2019
Amid government hype of its Build, Build, Build program, research group IBON noted that there has been a conspicuous increase in public infrastructure spending in the Davao region that seems to have favored Davao-based businessmen. The group observed that close allies of the president have benefited from the government spending surge by clinching a number […]
Duterte’s Midterm: Change for the Worse
July 22, 2019
(IBON 2019 Midyear Birdtalk Briefing Paper economic situation highlights) The country’s slowing economy, and worsening jobs crisis and poverty disputes the Duterte administration’s hype of economic gains. IBON said that this is bound to worsen if the Duterte administration continues unopposed on its current neoliberal trajectory wherein the interests of big foreign and local business […]
Prices still higher now than since start of Duterte admin
July 6, 2019
Research group IBON said that while June inflation has slowed, the prices of basic food items are still higher, especially when compared to prices at the start of the Duterte administration. The wages and incomes of many Filipinos are unable to keep up with the high prices. The group said that food prices will continue […]
Duterte administration being dishonest about economic ‘gains’
July 4, 2019
Research group IBON said that the Duterte administration is being dishonest in its recent pronouncements about high growth, reducing unemployment, and reducing poverty. The group said that the government is taking liberties with statistics as part of its propaganda campaign that President Duterte is keeping his promise of real change. In its pre-State of the […]
Chronic undernutrition among kids, pervasive hunger belie 4Ps logic – IBON
July 2, 2019
Research group IBON said that the results of the expanded national nutrition survey (ENNS) dispute the logic of institutionalizing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for poverty alleviation under Republic Act (RA) No. 11310. The program is said to be an “investment in the next generation” that develops healthy educated Filipinos. Yet after over 10 […]
Govt will needed to enforce oil price unbundling – IBON
June 29, 2019
Research group IBON said that the Department of Energy (DOE) circular ordering oil companies to unbundle prices is a welcome and overdue measure for greater transparency to help prevent overpricing of oil products. However, the government must have the political will to implement this and the involvement of the public and consumer groups must be […]
