News
Open-air jeepneys safer against COVID-19 than enclosed modernized counterparts
June 21, 2020
NEWS
With only modernized jeepneys allowed to resume operations next week, traditional jeepneys off the road inconveniences commuters and also denies them potentially safer means of transport. The traditional open-air jeepney is likely even safer against COVID-19 than its air-conditioned modernized counterpart.
Govt jeepney ban has already cost drivers Php78,000
June 19, 2020
NEWS
Thousands of small jeepney drivers have lost as much as Php78,000 each from three months of mass transport suspensions since the lockdown. The government has been insensitive and stingy assistance has pushed jeepney drivers and their families into poverty.
Duterte administration’s recovery plans help the rich more than the poor
June 5, 2020
government’s supposed recovery plans are more concerned about supporting business profits than helping the mass of unemployed Filipinos. The finance department’s PH-PROGRESO and stimulus bills in Congress give considerable support to businesses while millions of affected families get token support at best.
Official unemployment figures understate historic jobs crisis
June 5, 2020
The unemployment crisis is actually even worse than official figures show. The 20.4 million real unemployed and underemployed today is the worst crisis of mass unemployment in the country’s history.
Jobless figures confirm poor govt response to COVID-19 crisis
June 5, 2020
The country’s record joblessness demands extraordinary measures from the Duterte administration to help tens of millions of families losing incomes. Unfortunately, the response so far has been stingy and the supposed recovery program does not appear to give much more.
Duterte gov’t giving up Php667-B in potential COVID response funds to boost corporate profits
May 20, 2020
At a time when funds are urgent for the huge COVID-19 response needed, research group IBON said that the Duterte administration is giving up Php667 billion in revenues to boost the profits of the country’s largest corporations.
PH economy was already slowing – COVID-19 just made it worse
May 7, 2020
NEWS
The Philippine economy was already weak coming into the COVID-19 crisis. Growth will remain slow if the government does not acknowledge pre-existing weaknesses that the pandemic merely intensified.
After 7 weeks of lockdown: Meager cash aid puts HHs below official poverty line
May 5, 2020
NEWS
97% of 11.4 million served beneficiaries are barely surviving the lockdown with cash aid that is way below the official poverty line.
Oil tax hike insensitive and will make poor Filipinos suffer more
May 5, 2020
NEWS
Raising taxes on imported oil products will push prices up and burden many poor households already struggling with jobs and income losses amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
