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.

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’s infrastructure miracle: Resurrecting a damned project

November 20, 2018

By Jose Lorenzo Lim Through China ODA, the Duterte administration revives a project halted by the historical struggle of the Cordillera people against destructive infrastructure The Chico River Basin Dam Project was an infamous World Bank-funded hydroelectric project under the Marcos Era. Local opposition to the project was strong. The famed Macli-ing Dulag, tribal chieftain […]

Second Basket Projects Under China’s ODA

November 16, 2018

First Basket Projects Under China’s ODA

November 16, 2018

New large dams onerous for Filipinos — IBON

October 5, 2018

Research group IBON joined other concerned groups and advocates to launch a network opposed to the the Kaliwa, Kanan, and Laiban dam projects of the Duterte administration. The group said that large dams do not deliver their promised benefits and are harmful to communities. Filipinos will be saddled with higher taxes, to pay for their […]