People Economics
To reap what was not sown?
April 4, 2021
This is a crucial time to rethink our entire strategy for reaping the demographic dividend. While things are bleak from where things stand at present, the experience of our neighbors tells us that a demographic dividend is possible given the right set of policy choices.
Expansionary fiscal stance more urgent than ever
January 28, 2021
The economy is not just hindered by quarantine restrictions. It is also stifled by the unprecedented loss of informal sector livelihoods and enterprise closures which has contracted household incomes, wiped out savings, and collapsed aggregate demand. These have to be directly addressed.
Crisis upon crisis: 2021 Yearstarter Birdtalk highlights
January 23, 2021
It is important that the government acknowledge the enormity of the public health and economic crisis. This is necessary for the vital shift in attitude from business-as-usual to undertaking urgent COVID-19 response and long-term reforms.
Gaining ground vs disaster vulnerability
January 3, 2021
No matter how bad things were last year, civic action kept our hopes high
2020 Yearender: Economic lessons from Jose Rizal
December 30, 2020
The worst economic collapse in Philippine history and in Southeast Asia is mainly due to the government’s stumbling pandemic response and lackluster economic measures in 2020. If, again, there is more bluster than action in 2021 then real recovery will be much farther away than it should be.
Winds of democracy in the Philippines
November 30, 2020
Features/ Commentary | On a historical scale, there’s no doubt that the world is changing for the better. There’s too much creativity, energy and bravery committed to that for it to be otherwise.
To give or not to give SAP tranche 2
May 19, 2020
How many mothers have been forced to leave their little ones at home, walk far, and stand in long lines for ayuda only to go home empty-handed? How many senior citizens and persons with disability (PWD), despite their frailty and limits, still tried to get support but in vain?
Financial strength, development weakness
May 14, 2020
COMMENTARY
In this kind of situation, you don’t obsess about fuel-efficient driving or not red-lining the tachometer or limiting the car’s mileage – you step on the gas. Glorifying ‘financial strength’ is stepping on the brakes.
