neoliberal policies

Bigger and more increases loom after ERC-approved Meralco hike, IBON warns

March 8, 2017

Research group IBON warned that consumers may face bigger and more rate increases in their electricity bills this summer. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)’s approval of a smaller than petitioned rate hike for the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is still warrantless and just a portion of generation costs that the power distributor and its suppliers […]

Change? Not three decades after EDSA, not under PDP–IBON

February 26, 2017

The Philippines remains backward and underdeveloped with severe inequality 31 years after the so-called EDSA revolution, research group IBON said. The Duterte administration’s new Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 will not change this, said the group, in continuing the failed neoliberal policies of the Marcos regime and all subsequent administrations. EDSA 1986 was a repudiation of […]

Regions with biggest mining activities among the poorest–IBON

February 23, 2017

Contrary to claims that closing down mining operations will worsen poverty, research group IBON said that large-scale mining activities impact heavily on marginalized sectors and intensify poverty. The group also said that the mining sector’s export-oriented character further deprives communities by taking away potential resources for local development. The Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) […]

Trump presidency bodes ill for smaller nations like PH

January 28, 2017

America’s inauguration of its 45th President sent jitters across the world as to the future of foreign policies, said research group IBON. For the Philippines, whose economy has been influenced largely by the US for many decades, this is an opportune time to rethink its economic policies and its relations not only with the superpower […]

Duterte admin’s econ direction troubling, but peace talks may stir change?

January 18, 2017

While the unorthodox Pres. Rodrigo Duterte gained popular support due to its pro-poor pronouncements and promise of change, research group IBON said that the neoliberal economic agenda prevails as  Duterte’s economic managers and other dominant groups push big business-biased/free market-oriented policies over people-centered reforms. Nevertheless, IBON also said that the ongoing peace negotiations between the […]

These issues and more at the IBON 2016 Yearend Birdtalk

January 2, 2017

Join us on January 13, 2017 1-5m for a discussion on these issues and more at the IBON Yearend 2016 Birdtalk! #WeLearnChange #EconomicsForFilipinos. – https://www.facebook.com/IbonFoundation/videos/10157987318205162/

​EV agri neglected despite billions in Yolanda funds

November 28, 2016

As disaster survivors from Eastern Visayas converge in Manila to bare  mounting poverty, hunger and injustice in the region, research group IBON said that the region’s agriculture and fisheries sector  are slow to recover despite billions in available Yolanda funds. The group noted that while a significant number of people in Eastern Visayas depend on […]

Tribute to animator Gibet Torres

November 23, 2016

IBON pays tribute to animator Gilbert “Gibet” Torres, who recently passed away. A Martial Law victim and a staunch advocate of pro-people alternatives to the country’s socio-economic woes, Gibet was also an IBON artist. We share some of his artworks for IBON and for nationalist Jose “Pepe” Diokno’s book “A Nation For Our Children”.

US aid and imperialism

October 21, 2016

For daring the US and others to withdraw their aid, President Rodrigo Duterte has been called a “psychopath”. For those whose way of thinking has been systematically warped by colonialism and neocolonialism/imperialism, it is plain madness. As a poor country, why would we shun the “altruism” of rich countries like the US? On the contrary, […]