News
PPP won’t address water crisis, contrary to ADB claim
October 15, 2010
Water for the People Network | The experience of countries around the world that have implemented water privatization shows that public-private partnership (PPP) has even worsened the problem. Contrary to the claim of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), allowing profit-oriented private corporations to take over the management and distribution of water resources will not address […]
Lower October power rates to be offset by looming bigger increase; EPIRA blamed
October 9, 2010
The debt of Napocor should have been settled by the proceeds from the privatization of its power generation plants and other assets. Research group IBON Foundation today warned that the Php1.10 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) drop in power rates this month is just temporary relief for consumers as bigger hikes in electricity bills loom in the […]
Aquino signing of millennium challenge account paves way for more problematic policies
September 22, 2010
The MCC is about promoting the US’s preferred version of neoliberal free market democracies– democratic in form but severely undemocratic in their outcomes Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino is set to witness the signing of the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) during his US visit, but research group IBON warns that the agreement is biased against national […]
Gov’t cautioned against conditional cash transfers: Program unsustainable, adds to debt burden
September 21, 2010
While giving out cash transfers to indigent families may be an option at certain times, this should not be at the core of government poverty programs. As allocations for poverty programs continue to be deliberated in the national budget for 2011, research group IBON cautions government on the conditional cash transfers program (CCTP), saying that […]
Malampaya contractors must pay P53-B gov’t share immediately; Grossly unfair service contract with Shell, Chevron needs urgent review
September 20, 2010
The understated proceeds are said to amount to Php53 billion because contractors Shell Exploration, Chevron and PNOC have been deducting their corporate income tax from the government’s 60%-share of the gas project since Research group IBON urges the Aquino government to demand the service contractors of Malampaya Gas Project to immediately pay the Philippine government […]
Will RP gain from Aquino US visit? Trip may cause more harm than good, says group
September 20, 2010
With renewed commitments from both countries to negotiate a bilateral free trade deal, the MCA funding could be used to compel the Philippines to agree to a one-sided agreement. Research group IBON today warned that the much-hyped US visit of Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino may result in more harm than good, as the group expressed […]
Aquino gov’t’s anti-corruption drive not reflected in revenue targets for 2011
September 2, 2010
On this key measure, it does not appear that the government expects its supposed anti-corruption drive to result in significantly increased revenues. Government has campaigned that a crackdown on corruption would plug leakages and increase revenue generation. However the revenue program for 2011 does not show signs that government expects to raise revenues from this, […]
Proposed budget shows diminishing priority for health
September 1, 2010
Falling subsidy for indigents belies promise of universal health care Contrary to the Aquino government’s target of expanding the coverage of healthcare for all, the proposed national budget for 2011 has allotted a decreased budget for public hospitals and subsidy for indigents, according to research group IBON. The 2010 budget item “Premium Subsidy for Indigents […]
Bloated by patronage funds, proposed 2011 budget prone to corruption
August 31, 2010
This large pork barrel allocated mainly according to parochial concerns is inconsistent with improving the effectiveness of spending | Sonny Africa, IBON Research Head There is a marked increase in the 2011 national government (NG) budget submitted to Congress, making the proposed budget alarmingly patronage-rich, says research group IBON. The Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) […]
