Budget for infrastructure towers over health, social protection, MSME support–IBON

September 16, 2020

NEWS

Health and social protection even in terms of infrastructure should be prioritized but these are dwarfed by programs such as roadworks and grandiose transport projects that are not as urgent.

PH ‘stimulus’ smallest in region

July 29, 2020

NEWS

Philippine spending in response to the COVID-19 pandemic is among the smallest in the region. The narrow-minded obsession with ‘creditworthiness’ stops the government from taking the urgent steps needed to restore livelihoods and save the economy.

IBON opens to gov’t inspection days before anti-terrorism law effectivity

July 15, 2020

NEWS

With the Anti-Terrorism Law soon coming into effect, research group IBON opened their office for inspection by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and Bgy. Sacred Heart officials. The ocular inspection was requested to show IBON’s transparency and prove the absence of illegal materials and equipment on the premises.

Gov’t creating pretext to use Anti-Terrorism Law against IBON?

July 11, 2020

The persistent falsehoods and malicious accusations spread by the PNA and NTF-ELCAC appear to be laying the groundwork for the Anti-Terrorism Law to be used against the institution and its research and education work. These accusations are however baseless and IBON will continue to explain socioeconomic and political issues, uphold the interest of the marginalized majority of Filipinos, and advocate against unjust and inequitable economic structures.

Higher inflation for poorest Filipinos underscores urgent need for continued cash subsidies

July 8, 2020

NEWS

Higher inflation is problematic but particularly burdens the poorest Filipinos. Inflation rates for the 30% poorest households are higher than the national average. Especially amid historic joblessness, this affirms how the government should continue giving cash subsidies as income support, the group said.

Gov’t should check SAP’s gross failure as COVID cases rise – IBON

June 30, 2020

The Duterte government should correct the huge shortfall of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) especially amid a continuously increasing number of COVID-19 cases. About 9 million out of the target 18 million poor households received only one tranche of emergency aid, or just Php53 per day over 106 days of COVID-19 lockdown.

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.