News
Four indicators that Duterte’s tax program is anti-poor
December 1, 2017
Lawmakers should rethink Duterte tax program The Senate version of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bill remains anti-poor despite amendments. Research group IBON said this following senators’ recent approval of their version of the Duterte tax bill on third and final reading. According to the group, the Senate’s efforts to reduce the […]
Drop plan on Chinese telco, IBON urges Duterte
November 30, 2017
Unreliable services including slow internet connection amid high costs will not necessarily be solved by allowing a foreign player in the country’s telecommunication (telecom) industry. Research group IBON made the statement following Malacañang’s announcement last week that the President has invited China to field in its own telecommunication company (telco) to supposedly challenge the duopoly […]
Gov’t assures private profits over MRT commuter welfare
November 29, 2017
The government’s assurance of private profits from day one has led to the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 woes that has put commuter welfare on the line, said research group IBON. The latest series of train breakdowns and mishaps is but the tip of the iceberg and will persist under a privatized light rail system. […]
A million jobs lost in agri despite Q3 growth – IBON
November 24, 2017
Research group IBON said that the economy may have had fast growth in third quarter 2017, but this was exclusionary considering that there were significant job losses during the same period. The group said that as long as economic growth remains dependent on external and unsustainable factors, this would not translate into the stable, decent […]
Protect PH economy, thwart RCEP
November 20, 2017
Research group IBON said that the Philippine government should promote and protect Filipino industry instead of pursuing one-sided free trade agreements (FTAs). This is after Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) participating countries recently said that the regional trade deal would continue their strong economic performance. According to IBON, the government should only enter economic […]
ASEAN way: Big China-funded water, energy infra to displace more communities
November 20, 2017
Can be more catastrophic than MRT Business projects oblivious to human communities are a trademark of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other globalization platforms, advocacy groups said Monday. Shortly after the conclusion of the 31st ASEAN Summit, indigenous peoples, and water and energy rights advocates slammed China-funded water and energy projects […]
US MCC to hurt PH economy more—IBON
November 15, 2017
The Philippines will be more incapable of building and protecting its own industries and economy under another Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant from the United States. Research group IBON said this in light of the recent agreement between US president Donald Trump and Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte to strengthen socio-economic ties in their Association of […]
Eastern Visayas now on fourth year of rehabilitation tragedy–IBON
November 8, 2017
Undelivered outputs, shallow outcomes and increasing vulnerability for typhoon survivors are proving that the Philippine government’s rehabilitation work in Yolanda-stricken areas is a tragedy. IBON said this in a presentation of its assessment of four years of rehabilitation, reconstruction and recovery in the typhoon-ravaged Eastern Visayas. On the fourth-year of super typhoon Yolanda, IBON reported […]
Rehab Marawi, but don’t abandon Yolanda–IBON
November 4, 2017
Research group IBON said that while rehabilitation efforts are very much needed in war-ravaged Marawi, the Duterte administration should not consider reconstruction work in Yolanda-stricken areas to be over. Counting down to four years since super-typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit southern Philippines, IBON noted how government’s response remained slow-paced and its policies even counter-productive in the […]
