Government not underspending? Budgeted too little, didn’t even spend it all

July 25, 2021

The Development Budget Coordinating Committee said that a total of Php665.7 billion has so far been released for the Duterte administration’s government’s COVID-19 response. This is however insufficient for such a huge national emergency. Worse, large amounts have not even been spent as of June.

Strong fiscal stimulus? Below average spending worsens in 2021, 2022

July 25, 2021

In the name of credit-worthiness, the Duterte administration increased its spending by only a bit, which is not at all commensurate to the enormity of the crisis at hand.

Helped Filipinos? Too few helped, too little given

July 25, 2021

The people’s and nation’s needs amid a public health emergency and economic crisis are huge, but government help stayed stingy while spending big on infrastructure, the military and debt-servicing.

Helping so few, spending too little

July 22, 2021

Ayuda urgent as jobs crisis worsens from govt’s failed lockdowns, response

June 10, 2021

Latest labor force data confirm that the jobs situation is still much worse than before the pandemic. Government’s over-reliance on destructive lockdowns to contain the coronavirus is ineffective and only causes unnecessary economic distress for tens of millions of Filipinos. At the very least, immediately providing substantial ayuda grows more urgent by the day.

There’s money for bigger Bayanihan 3: Economic managers just refusing to give more — IBON

May 26, 2021

There is more than enough money for bigger emergency aid and stimulus in Bayanihan 3 if only the economic managers prioritize ayuda.

Ayuda still needed even with shift to GCQ

May 15, 2021

Giving the Php10,000 ayuda demanded is extremely urgent. The amount merely approximates the government’s low official poverty threshold of Php10,756 and certainly does not come close to compensating the past year of collapsed incomes, anxiety and difficulty for tens of millions of Filipinos.

Negative econ growth underscores jobs crisis – IBON

May 12, 2021

The first quarter 2021 economic performance is the clearest proof that government hype of employment surpassing pre-pandemic levels are hollow. The quality of work is deteriorating and the number of unemployed is higher compared to a year ago.

On the first quarter 2021 GDP growth: Govt missteps stalling real PH recovery

May 12, 2021

The government claims to be balancing health and economic concerns. The first quarter economic contraction, however, confirms that we are instead getting the worst of both worlds – economic losses and human suffering.