Philippine economy

Upper middle-income status: A smokescreen for underdevelopment

September 30, 2022

Does getting an upper middle-income designation really mean the Philippines and its people are achieving genuine development? Or is it just another label being hyped by the Marcos Jr administration to project economic success while hiding a troubled economy and the millions of Filipinos being left behind?

IBON Executive Director on Marcos Jr’s speech to the 77th UN General Assembly

September 22, 2022

The gall to talk about ‘historical injustice’ and ‘inequalities and inequities’ is however exceptional

Smallest budget increase in 20 years

September 6, 2022

Despite a slowing economy that urgently needs stimulus for recovery, the proposed 2023 national budget gets the least increase in 20 years and mirrors the mispriorities of the Marcos Jr administration. The President and Vice President’s offices for instance get hefty increases as do infrastructure, debt servicing and defense. But crucial service-oriented areas such as […]

2023 Budget Cuts and Increases

September 6, 2022

Despite a slowing economy that urgently needs stimulus for recovery, the proposed 2023 national budget gets the least increase in 20 years and mirrors the mispriorities of the Marcos Jr administration. The President and Vice President’s offices for instance get hefty increases as do infrastructure, debt servicing and defense. But crucial service-oriented areas such as […]

Lower labor budget despite new agency

September 6, 2022

Despite a slowing economy that urgently needs stimulus for recovery, the proposed 2023 national budget gets the least increase in 20 years and mirrors the mispriorities of the Marcos Jr administration. The President and Vice President’s offices for instance get hefty increases as do infrastructure, debt servicing and defense. But crucial service-oriented areas such as […]

With among the highest joblessness and inflation in Southeast Asia, PH needs bold econ reforms–IBON

July 20, 2022

The Philippines has among the highest unemployment and inflation rates in the region, underscoring the country’s worsening conditions and the urgent need for radical economic measures.

Persisting jobs crisis belies gov’t claims of growth momentum

July 8, 2022

The increase in May 2022 unemployment and informal work shows that the jobs crisis persists despite government’s opening up of the economy and hype of economic growth.

Marcos should admit 3-year high inflation to propose real solutions — IBON

July 6, 2022

Inflation is at its highest in three years, but instead of offering a real solution to soaring prices, the newly-installed Marcos administration is downplaying the severity of this and saying it is beyond government control.