Philippine economy

PH economy was already slowing – COVID-19 just made it worse

May 7, 2020

NEWS

The Philippine economy was already weak coming into the COVID-19 crisis. Growth will remain slow if the government does not acknowledge pre-existing weaknesses that the pandemic merely intensified.

POGOs not an essential sector, only 0.23% of gov’t annual tax revenues

May 4, 2020

NEWS

Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) generate minimal income and employment for the country, contrary to government’s claim that it is an essential sector and should be partially reopened.

The pre-COVID-19 plight of the poor and government’s old ways

April 22, 2020

BIRD FEED

Doesn’t the plight of the poor tell us that something is wrong with the way things are and needs fixing? That relief for millions of vulnerable households is still taking too long to arrive now that there is a public health emergency bares government’s long-standing unconcern for them.

Why do we keep on begging China for friendship?

April 21, 2020

BY ROSARIO GUZMAN

In the face of the Filipino people’s growing anxieties about COVID-19 and life after the lockdown, president Duterte keeps heaping praises on China.

Beyond COVID-19

April 12, 2020

Dealing with COVID-19: Just reboot the economy?

March 30, 2020

POLICY NOTE

The coronavirus pandemic and the expansive efforts to address it are new and unprecedented. But they also exposed many old problems that have always been there.

Luzon lockdown threatens livelihoods of 11M workers, informal sector earners

March 17, 2020

NEWS

The Duterte administration’s declaration of an enhanced community quarantine over the whole of Luzon threatens to displace nearly 11 million workers and informal sector earners. While government is correct to take all necessary measures to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, it is failing to do this in a way that protects the poorest and most vulnerable Filipinos.

International Working Women’s Day 2020: Filipino women workers worse off under Duterte – IBON

March 8, 2020

NEWS

Filipino women’s continuing plight is just another result of the Duterte administration’s market-driven pro-big business policies that disregard women and workers’ rights.

Php750 NCR Minimum Wage Doable

March 7, 2020

A substantially higher minimum wage is an important and doable step towards making economic growth genuinely inclusive. Millions of workers and their families will immediately benefit from a Php750 minimum wage in NCR which will only cost employers 8.9% of their profits.