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?

Inessential infra isn’t more important than health, ayuda

September 16, 2021

What Build Build Build has delivered

July 25, 2021

Nearing the end of the Duterte administration’s term, we don’t seem to be anywhere near the fulfilment of its big infrastructure dream. Build Build Build is supposed to be the centerpiece of what could be a Duterte legacy, but the program’s performance is far from defining a grand exit for the administration.

Record debt under Duterte administration

December 21, 2020

Each Filipino in effect owes Php92,190 and each Filipino family owes Php405,636. The average Filipino family owes as much as it earns in 18 months or over one-and-a-half years.

Transport budget for infra but none for affected jeepney drivers

October 15, 2020

FEATURES

The government should prioritize subsidizing small jeepney drivers and operators and at least postpone costly infrastructure projects that are less urgent because of the pandemic.

Four reasons why the Kaliwa Dam Project loan is onerous

October 11, 2020

Features | President Duterte has reportedly ordered a review of loan agreements to determine if any are onerous and disadvantageous to the Filipino people. Yet the Kaliwa Dam project which has come under fire for its unfavorable Chinese loan agreement has already started.

Duterte administration’s 2021 budget priorities

September 11, 2020

INFOGRAPHIC

Amid the worst health crisis and economic decline in the country’s history, government prioritizes infrastructure, debt, and militarization over health and other social services, agriculture, and industry.

On the BBB fix: Why do you build me up?

July 11, 2020

FEATURES

The government is still hell-bent on pursuing a grand infrastructure program amid the pandemic and despite its actually bleak accomplishments so far. The government says it will revise its list of infrastructure projects to adapt to COVID-19. But does it really have the will to shift the focus of its infrastructure program, or even the capacity to fully implement this?

Slower economy affirms undue hype over credit rating upgrade

May 9, 2019

Sign of unsound economy Slower gross domestic product (GDP) growth during the first quarter of 2019 belies any claim of a healthy Philippine economy. Research group IBON stressed that the Duterte administration’s enthusiasm over the recent credit rating upgrade that the country got is unwarranted. Instead of hailing business-biased programs, government should look to more […]