Worsening inflation makes admin ayuda cuts even more unconscionable – IBON

February 7, 2023

With inflation continuing to rise to 8.7% in January 2023 to its highest in over 14 years, it is unconscionable for the Marcos Jr administration to keep slashing cash assistance to struggling Filipinos in urgent need of relief.

Filipinos didn’t feel growth because of ayuda cuts and stingy wage hikes – IBON

January 27, 2023

Millions of ordinary Filipinos did not benefit from supposedly rapid 2022 growth because the government tightened the purse strings on urgent cash assistance and only gave a negligible wage hike last year.

The Family Living Wage as of November 2022

December 6, 2022

Gov’t growth hype hides worsening situation of ordinary Filipinos — IBON

November 23, 2022

The finance secretary’s recent trumpeting of rapid growth is hype, and in reality the economy and the conditions of ordinary Filipinos have barely even returned to pre-pandemic levels.

More ayuda more urgent than ever

November 22, 2022

Ayuda is urgent. Millions of Filipinos struggling with poverty even before the pandemic are now also dealing with joblessness from the lockdowns and rapidly rising prices of goods and services. Expanded emergency cash assistance combined with expanded support for farmers, fisherfolk and small businesses are critical to spur real economic recovery.

It’s an emergency: Help millions of Filipinos in crisis now

November 2, 2022

The government’s spending priorities need to be fixed. Social protection needs to be expanded to help families and sectors in need. It is also never too early to start taking steps to develop the national economy and make Filipinos less vulnerable to external economic shocks.

No More Emergency?: 2023 Budget Cuts for Assistance Programs, MSMEs

October 27, 2022

Marcos Jr’s first 100 days: The truth is out

October 8, 2022

The first 100 days are arguably the most crucial moment to make a break from the past – not just from the past administration but from poverty, inequality and underdevelopment. The Marcos Jr administration failed to do anything with this moment and, if anything, confirmed that it is unable to even imagine any real fundamental change.

Hike ayuda and labor budgets amid over 20M in informal work — IBON

September 8, 2022

More and more Filipinos are forced to make do with informal work given the lack of better jobs. Yet, the Marcos Jr administration has cut the 2023 budgets for ayuda and labor.