neoliberal policies

On strengthening public education system: Review K-to-12, educators challenge Duterte

May 16, 2016

Upon the presentation of the presumptive administration’s education thrust in its eight-point economic agenda, Filipino educators network Educators Forum for Development (EfD) challenged president-elect Rodrigo Duterte to effectively strengthen the public education system by calling for a review of the K-to-12 program and pushing for a nationalist, scientific and mass-oriented curriculum. The incoming administration’s education […]

Dutertenomics off to bad start, says group

May 12, 2016

Presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte’s initial choices for his economic team shows him treading the same Aquino administration path of elitist economics, research group IBON said. It added that Duterte’s early pronouncement on Charter change also strongly indicates continuity with the neoliberal economic policies that have kept Filipinos poor and the economy underdeveloped. The presidential frontrunner’s […]

NYTimes Photo

On imminent win: Duterte challenged to take first real steps as pro-people President

May 10, 2016

Research group IBON said that, if elected, 2016 national elections frontrunner Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte would have risen to the presidency on a surge of frustration with traditional politics and chronic economic backwardness. The clamor for change deserves economic policies biased for the poor and the national economy and that break from the failed […]

Path not to take: The exclusionary and elitist Daang Matuwid

May 8, 2016

#BeyondElections2016 | The Aquino administration’s long-playing call to sustain its so-called legacy of a fast-growing economy driven by “good governance” resonated in the “ituloy ang Daang Matuwid” electoral campaign. That the elections are just a day away and that the term of Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III is nearing its end are opportune moments to review […]

Which candidate will strengthen the public school system?

May 6, 2016

Filipino families grapple with the increasing cost of education. Only 50% of Senior High-ready schools are public. Yet government keeps spending public funds for private gain: Php12.2 billion – Senior High School (SHS) Voucher Program budget for 2016; Php47.9 billion – Government Assistance for Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) from 2010-2016; Php500 million-Php1 […]

Anyare? Economic decline since Marcos

May 5, 2016

The Marcos dictatorship started the Philippines on a path of economic decline that remains until today. This has already had the worst consequences for tens of millions of Filipinos across two generations. Unless corrected, it will burden generations to come. The Philippine economy’s decline since the 1980s is commonly attributed to the Marcos regime’s corruption […]

Worst jobs crisis by far: Job creation down; 24 million employed in poor quality work under Aquino

April 30, 2016

#BeyondElections2016 | Research group IBON said that while the Philippines saw growth, increasing corporate profits, investor confidence and international media hype under the Aquino administration, less new jobs were created, joblessness remains high, and the quality of work has worsened. Falling job creation under the incumbent administration has resulted in the most unemployed, underemployed, discouraged […]

IBON Bookshop SALE extended!

April 29, 2016

IBON Bookshop’s SALE has been extended beyond April 21! Featured publications are IBON Foundation’s flagship Facts and Figures including complete sets until 2012 and the Birdtalk paper. Read on the past but especially the incumbent government’s neoliberal policies that have kept growth exclusionary and a huge portion of the population in poverty. Read why the country’s socio-economic […]

Di lumingon: The economics of the next administration

April 26, 2016

  By Sonny Africa IBON executive director #BeyondElections2016 | The leading candidates for the presidency project vastly different images: plain but competent technocrat, earnest would-be mother of the nation, beleaguered man of the masses, and of course the coarse yet effective strongman. Filipino voters seem to have a variety of choices in the May 9 […]