News

Gov’t designed Kaliwa loan to favor China—IBON

Marso 26, 2019

The Kaliwa Dam loan agreement is designed to unduly favor Chinese interests over that of the Philippines. IBON Foundation raised this concern in the wake of the release, upon public pressure, of this and other loan agreements. Metro Manila private water concessionaire Manila Water Company, Inc. and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage Systems (MWSS) have […]

Govt should be transparent, release 9 signed foreign loan agreements — IBON

Marso 16, 2019

Research group IBON said the Duterte administration should immediately release to the public all nine foreign loan agreements it has already signed for infrastructure projects, especially for the upcoming Kaliwa Dam project with China. The group raised concerns of government’s transparency since it has denied IBON’s previous requests for copies of the loan agreements. The […]

WPN: Water crisis confirms failure of water privatization

Marso 16, 2019

Advocacy group Water for the People Network (WPN) said that the ongoing water crisis confirms the failure of water privatization and the need for public control of this essential service. The group said that the disruption of water services for over a million Metro Manila residents amid growing water concessionaire profits is unacceptable. Water services […]

IBON: Duterte govt’s accusations baseless, aim to hide truth about economy

Marso 14, 2019

The Duterte government’s accusations against IBON are baseless and aim to stifle economic analysis that is inconsistent with its preferred narrative of growth and development. For over forty years, IBON has sought to explain socioeconomic and political issues to the public as our contribution to Philippine democracy and the cause of genuine progress and development. […]

Employment falling under Duterte administration, jobs crisis worsens

Marso 8, 2019

Research group IBON said that the latest January 2019 labor force survey data showing employment falling confirms that the jobs crisis continues to worsen. The group stressed that the worst job creation today among all the post-Marcos administrations is a better indicator of the economy’s health than the abstract growth figures the Duterte administration always […]

Employers’ resistance to expanded maternity leave hinders progress for women in the workplace

Marso 6, 2019

Research group IBON said that employers’ opposition to the new Expanded Maternity Leave (EML) Law only protects their profits at the expense of women. The EML is an important step to reducing barriers to women’s participation in the workforce and to improving their welfare in the workplace. It is also partial relief amid flexible hiring […]

Inflation lower but poorest Filipino families still struggle with high prices

Marso 6, 2019

Families struggling with meager incomes still have to put up with high prices even amid lower inflation posted in February 2019. Research group IBON said that the poor majority of Filipino households are still having difficulty making ends meet with prices remaining high. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) figures show that headline inflation slowed further to […]

Rice tariffication puts PH food security at risk—IBON

Marso 2, 2019

IBON Executive Editor Rosario Bella Guzman said that non-quota tariff rice importation undermines the food security principles of supply stability and affordability. She said that in face of world market volatility, a fluctuating peso-dollar exchange rate and impending El Nino, government should seek to stabilize prices and the economy. Government will soon release the implementing […]

TRAIN suspension, govt transparency and regulation needed to ease OPH burden

Pebrero 28, 2019

Research group IBON said that the third consecutive and big-time oil price hike only makes it more urgent for the Duterte administration to stop the oil excise taxes of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN). This will lessen the impact of rising oil prices on the poorest families. The group also said that […]