President’s SONA in denial of slowing growth and fundamental econ crisis

Hulyo 29, 2019

In his fourth SONA, President Duterte did not admit that the economy is on a slowdown and that the country’s production sectors are deteriorating. Instead, the President harped on deceptive, business-biased policy proposals that at the very least do not address the basic problems of the economy.

Strengthen Filipino, Panitikan, and Constitution instruction in basic and tertiary education

Hunyo 24, 2019

BY JOHN PAUL ANDAQUIG

Panitikan provides students with an understanding of the literary traditions of the Filipino people. Minimizing the teaching of Filipino, Panitikan and Constitution thus robs young learners of their soul as citizens and future leaders.

2019 midterm elections results: Harsher policies ahead

Mayo 26, 2019

Administration-backed bets dominated the 2019 midterm elections especially in the Senate. The Duterte administration will certainly fast track its priority neoliberal policies as soon as the 18th Congress opens. It already used its super-majority in the 17th Congress to pass socioeconomic measures aggravating the country’s jobs crisis, poverty, and underdevelopment. More and harsher ones loom […]

WANTED: An Independent Senate

Mayo 11, 2019

Midterm elections have always been crucial for any incumbent, as results will either affirm or reject the programs and policies so far of the ruling party. The 2019 midterm elections, however, appears to be different, as it happens at the heels of the Duterte administration’s implementation of harshest neoliberal economic policies and undermining democracy. The […]

What the Rice Tariffication Law violates

Abril 10, 2019

The declared policy of the newly signed Republic Act (RA) 11203 or Rice Tariffication Law, now with issued implementing rules and regulations, is apparently to ensure food security. Ironically, it is the very same principle that the law puts at risk. Food security is a precondition for economic development. A hungry population is a weak, […]

Beyond water interruptions: Expensive water and connection woes burden consumers

Marso 21, 2019

By the Samahan at Ugnayan ng mga Konsyumer para sa Ikauunlad ng Bayan (SUKI)  The ongoing water shortage is just the latest among water problems that consumers have been struggling with for decades. Despite privatization and its promises, poor consumers across the metropolis still suffer expensive water, erratic connections, and inadequate services. The government and […]

WPN Position Paper on the Water Crisis

Marso 19, 2019

WPN: Water crisis confirms failure of water privatization IBON Foundation/Water for the People Network (WPN) Position paper submitted to the Office of Sen. Grace Poe, Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services, in line with the hearing to investigate the water shortage in Metro Manila   The Water for the People Network (WPN) holds […]

Cheaper rice for now, but at what cost?

Pebrero 22, 2019

by Sonny Africa The government’s economic managers claim that the new Rice Tariffication Act which takes effect on March 5, 2019 will ensure the availability of cheaper rice for Filipino consumers. They also claim that the law will make Filipino rice farmers more competitive and profitable. Yet while rice from abroad could become cheaper for […]

Three things beyond rice tariffication

Pebrero 19, 2019

President Duterte has signed the Rice Tariffication Bill into law, which promises to reform Philippine agriculture. But until the government genuinely completes land reform and gives sufficient and substantial support to agriculture, the country’s staple and Filipino farmers remain at risk. The law removes quantitative restrictions or limits to rice importation. Any amount of rice […]