ODA
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.
ODA for SDGs: Partnerships for whom?
August 5, 2021
Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) is crucial as it defines the means of implementation and the global partnerships and cooperation that may have to be revitalized to realize the rest of the SDGs. One of the SDG 17 targets pertains to strengthening aid and financial resources, in particular official development assistance commitments. But why is ODA to the Philippines crowding into infrastructure?
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.
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 admin banning aid to hide human rights violations
September 24, 2019
Research group IBON, a member of the multisectoral network AidWatch, said that the Duterte administration is stopping talks on new official development assistance (ODA) from 18 countries as part of its efforts to hide the worsening domestic human rights situation. This includes Spain which is supporting the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). The group said […]
On the Duterte government designing loans to favor China
March 27, 2019
Gov’t designed Kaliwa loan to favor China—IBON
March 26, 2019
The Kaliwa Dam loan agreement is designed to unduly favor Chinese interests over that of the Philippines. IBON Foundation raised this concern in the wake of the release, upon public pressure, of this and other loan agreements. Metro Manila private water concessionaire Manila Water Company, Inc. and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage Systems (MWSS) have […]
Govt should be transparent, release 9 signed foreign loan agreements — IBON
March 16, 2019
Research group IBON said the Duterte administration should immediately release to the public all nine foreign loan agreements it has already signed for infrastructure projects, especially for the upcoming Kaliwa Dam project with China. The group raised concerns of government’s transparency since it has denied IBON’s previous requests for copies of the loan agreements. The […]
