Duterte admin’s neglect of agri erodes food self-sufficiency — IBON

October 21, 2021

The Duterte government’s glaringly low prioritization of agriculture is worsening the country’s decline in food self-sufficiency. Production support for small farmers and fisherfolk as part of a larger economic stimulus program is even more urgent.

More for infra and military than education

October 12, 2021

The neglect of PH education: Where do we go from here?

October 5, 2021

The Philippines is one of two remaining countries in the world that have not reopened schools and conducted in-person classes. This is quite telling not only of the Duterte government’s poor pandemic response but also of the pre-existing problems of the Philippine education system. This is aggravated by the administration’s budget mispriorities, where it allocates more for infrastructure projects than education.

Big budget for infra agencies, low disbursement under Duterte

October 3, 2021

The Duterte administration budgets so much for infrastructure but isn’t even able to spend all of it. The proposed 2022 infrastructure budget is even bigger — shouldn’t more of the allocation be used for health, ayuda and small business support instead?

Railroading 2022 national budget without ayuda confirms Duterte govt’s apathy

October 2, 2021

Important pandemic emergency aid programs implemented in 2020 were discontinued in 2021 and are also not in the proposed 2022 budget. The budget and social welfare departments should bat for this in the 2022 expenditure plan in Senate and bicameral deliberations

Funding war on communities, not defense of Philippine sovereignty

October 1, 2021

The House of Representatives (HOR) railroaded approval of the 2022 national budget, including bloated funds for the defense department which has been more visible in violating human rights than defending Philippine sovereignty.

Worsening joblessness and informal work can be fixed with immediate ayuda, stimulus

September 30, 2021

Latest labor force data of high unemployment and increasing informal workers should be a wake-up call for government to immediately undertake stimulus measures.

TOYING

September 18, 2021

On military modernization: Money for nothing

September 16, 2021

There have been a series of mishaps lately, involving newly acquired AFP aircraft. Yet, the Duterte government continues to prioritize defense in the 2022 budget, particularly AFP modernization.