People’s Agenda
Initial talks on social and economic reforms new hope for Filipinos–IBON
January 28, 2017
Agreement in principle on free land distribution shows Parties can unite on people-centered measures beyond current government policy The second round of peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) concluded Thursday. One of the historic event’s main highlights was the exchange […]
Trump presidency bodes ill for smaller nations like PH
January 28, 2017
America’s inauguration of its 45th President sent jitters across the world as to the future of foreign policies, said research group IBON. For the Philippines, whose economy has been influenced largely by the US for many decades, this is an opportune time to rethink its economic policies and its relations not only with the superpower […]
Land reform is key to inclusive growth–Green Action PH
January 26, 2017
As thousands of farmers camp out in Davao City to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Mendiola Massacre and to demand land to the tiller and just peace, the multi-sector Green Action Philippines (PH) network called on the Duterte administration to prioritize agrarian reform in its development plan to achieve inclusive growth. The network stressed […]
IBON Infovideo: Promote National Industrialization for National Development
January 24, 2017
“The Filipino people deserve and demand an industrial economy that improves the standard of living of the majority and that strengthens the country’s national independence and self-reliance. We need to transform the Philippine economy from its current backwardness into an industrial power.” Promote National Industrialization IBON Infovideo: Promote National Industrialization for National Development #JustPeace #WeLearnChange"The […]
Pension hike welcome, but entire pension system reform needed–IBON
January 23, 2017
Though welcoming the recent House of Representatives’ (HOR) passage of the Php 2,000 pension hike, research group IBON expressed concern over another simultaneously approved bill that allows the Social Security System (SSS) to raise member contributions without presidential approval. The group said that the Duterte administration should instead address SSS inefficiencies and work towards […]
Land reform, starting point of rural development
January 20, 2017
“Agricultural development should first focus on real land reform. This ensures that subsequent farm support will increase rural incomes and improve the livelihoods of the majority poor peasantry, expand the domestic market, and create a surplus for reinvestment in national industry. These are also the conditions for greater linkages between agriculture and industry, including the […]
Duterte admin’s econ direction troubling, but peace talks may stir change?
January 18, 2017
While the unorthodox Pres. Rodrigo Duterte gained popular support due to its pro-poor pronouncements and promise of change, research group IBON said that the neoliberal economic agenda prevails as Duterte’s economic managers and other dominant groups push big business-biased/free market-oriented policies over people-centered reforms. Nevertheless, IBON also said that the ongoing peace negotiations between the […]
“Change Underway?” IBON 2016 Yearend Birdtalk Paper (Introduction)
January 16, 2017
Pres. Rodrigo Duterte brashly entered the national political scene on the back of widespread public dissatisfaction and with vivid promises of change. The new pro-poor administration would be different and overturn the domination of the traditional powers that keep the country poor and underdeveloped: oligarchs, corrupt politicians, drug lords and organized crime, and even […]
Meaningfully distribute income, wealth and assets
January 13, 2017
Growth is not felt by the poor majority. The wealth of the 10 richest Filipinos grew 220% within 2010-2015 while the real value of the average daily basic pay of wage and salary workers rose by just 5.3%. From 2015-2016, the net worth of the 40 richest Filipinos grew by almost 14% while the real […]
