News
IBON urges progressive specific tax system in place of VAT on oil
March 17, 2011
IBON proposes an improved progressive system of specific taxes on unproductive sectors wherein socially sensitive oil products diesel, LPG, and kerosene are exempted while personal, corporate income and wealth-related taxes are higher. If the Aquino government is seriously looking for measures that would cushion the impact of high oil prices on consumers and the local […]
Gov’t’s revised poverty methodology detached from real situation
February 17, 2011
Use of ‘least cost’ food bundle questioned Research group IBON criticizes government’s new poverty methodology as unreflective of the real situation of poor Filipinos, saying that the adjustments made on the already-flawed methodology has further distorted the picture of poverty in the country. The National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) yesterday released official poverty figures based […]
Water rate hike hit; group says increase unjustified, insensitive
January 17, 2011
The new rates mean that households using at least 30 cu. m will see their monthly water bill increase by at least P57.60 to P69 starting in February. The Water for the People Network (WPN) condemns the rate hikes implemented by private water concessionaires in Metro Manila, calling the increases unjustified and insensitive to the […]
New poverty methodology reduces number of poor by 5.3 million
January 11, 2011
Philippine poverty line now pegged at PhP46 per person per day Research group IBON questions the new methodology of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), saying that it significantly reduces the number of poor Filipinos by some 5.3 million. The approved revisions reflected in the NSCB’s methodology for estimating poverty places the number of poor […]
With 4.16 million jobless, high unemployment still cause for concern for Aquino gov’t
November 29, 2010
The stubbornness of high unemployment and underemployment despite reported third quarter economic growth affirms that joblessness is a serious cause for concern Government’s latest labor force survey pegs unemployment at 2.80 million in October 2010, slightly higher than the 2.72 million reported in the same period last year. However these data could place the number […]
Filipinos to shoulder Php44 billion in CCT loan repayment
November 28, 2010
The increased indebtedness that the CCT program will impose on Filipino taxpayers is further argument against the supposed benefits of the program. Research group IBON calls on lawmakers deliberating on the budget for the controversial Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program to look into the resulting additional debt burden that Filipinos will shoulder to repay the […]
3rd Q GDP sharpest drop since 1997 : Economic growth notably slowing amid increasingly poor quality work
November 26, 2010
Once again, the 3rd quarter results affirm why the country cannot and should not rely on external sources of growth. The reported 6.5% growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in the 3rd quarter of 2010 is welcome for still being ositive but is nonetheless worrying for being the sharpest turnaround in quarterly growth since the […]
Think-tank challenges RP gov’t to denounce Seoul’s deportation of Filipino delegates
October 28, 2010
IBON research head latest Filipino denied entry to Korea Independent think-tank IBON Foundation expressed disappointment over the lack of action of the Philippine government after the Seoul government blacklisted and deported seven members of Filipino civil society groups in South Korea. Malacañang has issued a statement saying it respects the decision of the South Korean […]
Vague, huge lump-sum funds in 2011 budget go against gov’t thrust of transparency
October 28, 2010
These huge lump-sum items should be completely justified with their purposes, programs and project specified. With the 2011 national government budget approved by the House of Representatives in its third reading, research group IBON expressed concern over the PhP245-billion in vague lump-sum funds, or some 15% of the total budget. These funds, composed of big […]
