privatization

64% of Filipinos had trouble paying for electricity—IBON Survey

November 21, 2016

​IBON’s latest survey showed that many Filipinos had trouble meeting expenses on electricity and water in the recent months. Asked how their family met expenses on electricity and water in the past three months, six of ten said they had trouble meeting electricity expenses while many said they had trouble meeting water expenses. Sixty-four percent […]

Many Filipinos had trouble spending on food and services in past three months–IBON Survey

October 18, 2016

Research group IBON’s most recent survey shows many respondents saying that they had difficulty in buying food and paying for their children’s schooling and health expenses. Asked how their family met food, schooling and health expenses in the past three months, majority answered that they had difficulty in buying food while more respondents had difficulty meeting […]

Provide free or affordable social services, gov’t urged

July 22, 2016

The basic economic issues confronting the new Duterte administration will take center stage in the peace negotiations as the next substantive agenda on the Comprehensive Agreement for Soci​al and Economic Reforms. IBON joins the public in aspiring for the soonest resumption of the peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front and the Moro […]

Elitist politics and economics: the real Aquino legacy

July 1, 2016

The next presidency is challenged  to tackle a worst-ever jobs crisis, heightened inequality,and  pro-foreign and pro-business policies sown under Aquino’s leadership   Towards the end of its six years in office, the Aquino government boasted its legacy of inclusive growth. Indeed for its neoliberal thrusts the Aquino administration may have achieved certain economic outcomes. But for […]

SHS: Public funds for private gain refrain

June 17, 2016

IBON Features — Amid much debate among its implementers and constituents, the Enhanced Basic Education Program or Kindergarten + 12’s Senior High School (SHS) debuted for Grade 10 completers this week. Eleventh graders started on the track of their chosen profession, the choices being the (1) Academic Track comprised of Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM); […]

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 […]

Hindi lumingon–a second look? The economics of the Duterte administration

May 14, 2016

by Sonny Africa IBON FEATURES – Presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte projected a vastly different image from the other presidential candidates and indeed from every national politician the Philippines has ever had: coarse, cussing, irreverent, misogynistic, an unrepentant human rights violator, and a self-proclaimed “Socialist” and “Leftist”. But, never mind, the strongman was effective and got […]

Duterte’s 8-point economic agenda business as usual

May 14, 2016

The 8-point economic agenda of presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte is an elitist neoliberal agenda, research group IBON said. It is good for big business at the expense of the majority of Filipinos and long-term national development. Its “business as usual” belies the clamor for change and, in repeating Aquino-era policies that drove this clamor for […]

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 […]