News

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 […]

Gov’t should spare consumers from water firms’ Php82-B back charges

October 3, 2017

As the Philippine government launches Consumer Welfare Month, the Water for the People Network (WPN) warned against impending unreasonable water rates should government yield to the monetary demands of Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Company. The network said that the Supreme Court decision that public utilities cannot pass on their corporate income taxes […]

Real wage falling, higher taxes imminent (with TRAIN Infographic #4)

September 19, 2017

Though welcome, the recent wage hike in the National Capital Region (NCR) does not increase the minimum wage earners’ purchasing power. The real value of the minimum wage is even falling while the people face higher taxes under government’s proposed tax reforms, said the group. The NCR Regional Wage Board recently announced a Php21 wage hike, […]

IBON: DOF insistence on its tax package confirms anti-poor, pro-rich Dutertenomics

September 15, 2017

Research group IBON said that the Department of Finance’s (DOF) resistance to even minor changes in its proposed tax reform program confirms the anti-poor and pro-rich character of the Duterte administration’s economic policies. The Senate Ways and Means Committee proposed minor changes to shift some tax burden from the poor to the rich at its […]

Majority not in favor of tax reform proposals – IBON Survey

September 13, 2017

The latest survey of research group IBON showed that majority of Filipinos do not approve of almost all proposals under the first package of the Duterte administration’s proposed tax reform program. Survey respondents were informed that the government has a proposed tax reform package. They were presented with a list of some of the tax […]

COMP attempting to greenwash dirty mining practices — IBON

September 7, 2017

Research group IBON said that the plan of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) to adopt a Canadian mining organization’s sustainable mining measures indicates that it is trying to greenwash the Philippine mining industry’s negative image. But Canadian mining corporations are notorious for their dirty operations globally, IBON pointed out, which have led […]

RCEP talks secretive, undemocratic – IBON

September 4, 2017

Research group IBON expressed concern about the secretive and undemocratic proceedings of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) especially considering its apparent significant impact on the country’s economy, economic sovereignty and people’s welfare. The group said that it is the Duterte administration’s responsibility to ensure genuine transparency and public consultation to uphold the interests of […]

DOF insistence on anti-poor tax package for free educ hit

August 31, 2017

Research group IBON said that the Department of Finance (DOF) should not use free education as a pretext for the Philippine Senate to pass a full version of the administration’s anti-poor tax reform package. The group also said that the administration should instead decisively tax the country’s wealthiest for national development needs. Finance secretary Carlos […]