The expensive and harmful ‘Build Better More’

June 2, 2023

The Philippine government has a repetitive narrative when it comes to infrastructure – that it will “revitalize the economy” and “create more jobs” or that the government is “Building more for better lives” — claims so-repeated that they seem like obvious benefits. But history shows that this is not always the case.

China ODA funds half of water resource projects under Duterte’s Flagship Infra

March 10, 2020

In the Philippines, water resource projects under Duterte’s flagship infrastructure program are being funded with foreign loans, half of which are from China. One of these is the Kaliwa Dam, which faces opposition from indigenous people and residents of affected areas in Rizal and Quezon provinces. The dam poses huge threats on the environment and […]

Pipeline Projects Under China’s ODA

November 16, 2018

Infographic: Large Dams Under the Flagship Infrastructure Projects of the Duterte Administration

October 4, 2018

  Eight large dams are targeted for construction under the Duterte administration’s flagship infrastructure projects. These dams pose a threat to communities such as displacement and flooding. The cost for building them will also be passed onto consumers through taxes and high water and electricity rates. Read more: https://bit.ly/2yjISwz

The Tale of a China-funded Dam

October 3, 2018

Read more: http: https://www.ibon.org/2018/09/no-to-large-dams-mwss-water-security-roadmap-may-cause-more-insecurity-wpn/

Building destruction? Foreign creditors gain more from Duterte’s infra plan

July 21, 2017

by Arnold Padilla #PeoplesSONA2017 / IBON Features — One of the anticipated highlights of President Rodrigo Duterte’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) is his grand infrastructure plan dubbed Build! Build! Build!. There are concerns that it would result in a heavy debt burden. The issue is valid. After all, the price tag of […]