IBON Foundation

Despite the Marcos administration’s claims, the proposed 2025 budget spends less on the needs and welfare of most Filipinos while increasing spending on debt service and infrastructure that disproportionately benefits those already better-off.

2025 national budget is agenda of austerity for the many, prosperity for a few- IBON The Marcos Jr administration tries to project that it is prioritizing and bringing prosperity to Filipinos, but the proposed 2025 national budget shows instead that it is still putting the wealthy and big business first.

Reducing poverty would certainly be an accomplishment to be proud of. The question is – are there really less poor Filipinos as Pres. Marcos Jr claimed?

Are there less poor Filipinos? There is much to be done to develop the Philippines. Among the first steps is being more honest about the real extent of poverty and underdevelopment.

[NETWORKS]

MAGITING NA TINIG NG KONSYUMER | PROF. REGINALD S. VALLEJOS

Nagpupugay ang SUKI Network sa buhay at pakikibaka ng aming magiting na spokesperson, nagsilbing tinig ng Pilipinong konsyumer - Prof. Reginald "Reggie" Vallejos.

Masikhay at masigasig niyang kinatawan ang lahat ng grupong bumubuo ng sektor ng konsyumer sa iba't ibang aktibidad, partikular na ang pagbibigay ng panayam at talakayan sa media upang mas lumawak ang plataporma ng mga Pilipinong pumapasan ng bigat ng presyo ng bilihin at iba't iba pang usapin tungkol sa karapatan ng mamimili. Ginamit nya ang kanyang husay sa larangang akademiko upang bigyang tinig ang mga api sa lipunan - mula sa mga magsasaka hanggang sa mga manggagawa. Ipinakita nya ang matatag na pamumuno sa pag-uunyon kasama ang mga kawani't kapwa niya g**o sa unibersidad.

Patunay si Prof. Reggie na ang husay sa larangang pang-akademiko ay naglilingkod sa mamamayan, kung gagamitin ito para sa interes ng nakakarami at hindi lang para sa iilan.

MAGITING NA TINIG NG KONSYUMER | PROF. REGINALD S. VALLEJOS

Nagpupugay ang SUKI Network sa buhay at pakikibaka ng aming magiting na spokesperson, nagsilbing tinig ng Pilipinong konsyumer - Prof. Reginald "Reggie" Vallejos. Bilang isang mahusay at matalas na g**o ng Development Studies at Public Management sa UP Manila, hindi ipinagkait ni Prof. Reggie ang kanyang boses upang tumindig para sa mga mamimimili - mga ordinaryong mamamayan na pinapahirapan ng walang tigil na pagtaas ng presyo ng pangunahing bilihin.

Masikhay at masigasig niyang kinatawan ang lahat ng grupong bumubuo ng sektor ng konsyumer sa iba't ibang aktibidad, partikular na ang pagbibigay ng panayam at talakayan sa media upang mas lumawak ang plataporma ng mga Pilipinong pumapasan ng bigat ng presyo ng bilihin at iba't iba pang usapin tungkol sa karapatan ng mamimili. Ginamit nya ang kanyang husay sa larangang akademiko upang bigyang tinig ang mga api sa lipunan - mula sa mga magsasaka hanggang sa mga manggagawa. Ipinakita nya ang matatag na pamumuno sa pag-uunyon kasama ang mga kawani't kapwa niya g**o sa unibersidad.

Patunay si Prof. Reggie na ang husay sa larangang pang-akademiko ay naglilingkod sa mamamayan, kung gagamitin ito para sa interes ng nakakarami at hindi lang para sa iilan.

Bagamat nakapa-laki at napaka-bigat na kawalan ang biglaang pagpanaw ni Prof. Reggie, nagsisilbi itong inspirasyon para sa SUKI Network upang ipagpatuloy ang kanyang paninindigan, upang isulong ang interes ng mamamayan. # # #

[NETWORKS]

Call for support: Here are some channels through which we can send relief for those affected by Typhoon

Share freely po thru BALSA, Bayang Matulungin, and Kadamay para makaambag sa pagpapalawak ng tulungan...

[NETWORKS]

#𝙏𝙪𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙎𝙖𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙜𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙬𝙖 | 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮

The devastating impact of Typhoon Carina has forced thousands of families to evacuate their homes, leaving communities in urgent need of support. Homes have been lost and livelihoods disrupted. Together, we can make a difference. 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀!

Monetary and in-kind donations:
☑️Ready to eat food and water (Rice, vegetables, canned food, biscuit, instant noodles, etc.)
☑️ Medicines
☑️ Clothes
☑️ Sanitary materials/toiletries

For in-kind donations, please send to #35 Scout Delgado, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City

For cash donations, you may scan the QR codes or refer to the details below:
GCash - 09667415889 (J***** S.)
Bank of the Philippine Islands - 4359410382 (Jerson S.)

For volunteers, sign-up now: https://forms.gle/1bZ422QPVRHabDdXA

Every SONA speech aims to enhance the stature of the sitting president even if it means exaggerating achievements and efforts. Some bold distortions about the economy and the situation of the people can be expected at Marcos Jr's third SONA.

5 economic distortions to watch out for in Marcos Jr’s 3rd SONA Some bold distortions about the economy and the situation of the people, not the truth, can be expected at the third Marcos Jr SONA.

Contrary to employers' and government's claims, raising wages is feasible and just a small portion of profits. Employers can give a tiny share of profits to workers without raising prices and worsening inflation, or undertaking layoffs.

Hi-Res: https://www.ibon.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/24-0719-wage-infopost-3-1000x1000.png

The NCR minimum wage is even lower than the official poverty threshold, making minimum wages poverty wages. Rather than invalidating the clamor of workers and their families for decent wages, the government should promptly implement a significant and meaningful wage increase.

Hi-Res: https://www.ibon.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/24-0719-wage-infopost-2-1000x1000.png

The real value of the minimum wage has not kept pace with workers' rising productivity for at least two decades. Workers have not been fairly compensated with companies appropriating the largest part of workers' productivity as their profits.

PRAYMER: ibon.org/ibon-praymer-24hulyo

Hindi maitatanggi ni Marcos Jr na sa loob lang ng dalawang taon ay gumuguho na ang pagpapanggap nitong pagiging mabait at di-tulad ni Duterte, gayong pinagpatuloy lang niya ang kasamaan ni Duterte.

Masahol ang kinakaharap ng mamamayan, pero mas nagiging malinaw ang mga solusyon.

Ang Pagsahol sa Bagong Pilipinas [PRAYMER] Dalawang taon ng pagrampa sa abroad. Dalawang taon din ng pagpapatupad ng mga batas na pumapabor sa mga kroning oligarko at dayuhan, at sa sariling pamilya. Dalawang taon na kaladkarin sa lahat ng hiling at kagustuhan ng US. Dalawang taon ng bulok na politika at kawalan ng demokrasya. Hab

[NETWORKS]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: WE ASK AGAIN - WHERE'S THE WATER?

Concerns about privatized water are affecting Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao. If water is a basic right, what is the government doing to uphold it?

In Maynilad’s West Zone, residents lament frequent service interruptions. In Manila Water’s East Zone, there are reports about rising rates, unannounced shortages, murky water, and costly meter replacements. Social media is abuzz with consumer complaints against the Pangilinan- and Razon- owned firms.

Bay, Laguna also faces severe water interruptions. The municipal government has complained to the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) due to disruptions affecting households and businesses. The provider, Laguna Water District Aquatech Resources Corporation (LARC), a joint venture connected to Manila Water, has yet to meaningfully respond. In Cagayan de Oro, the Bantay Tubig Movement rallied 17,000 consumers to challenge a contract between Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) and the Pangilinan-controlled Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Incorporated (COBI), citing unapproved rate adjustments. The matter remains unresolved.

In San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, residents complain about weeks of water rationing, dry faucets, and discolored water. Consumers under the Manuel Villar-owned Prime Water face rate-setting and management issues. The company is also instructing consumers to pay online, obliging them to shell out more for transaction fees. Similar challenges are faced in Bacolod, including retrenchment.

Consumer groups such as the Alliance for Consumer Protection and Amlig Tubig await developments on appeals against joint venture agreements (JVA) involving oligarch water firms such as Villar’s Prime Water, which increasingly operate nationwide. Oligarchs’ properties reportedly enjoy reliable water supply in contrast.

The common thread is privatization. Water is available where it can be paid for, while those who can't afford it struggle. This violates the right to water and sanitation. Despite this, the government continues to facilitate joint ventures and public-private partnerships.

We hope consumer-led initiatives to assert the right to water will gain support. Efforts include the anti-water privatization bill by the Makabayan bloc, supported by the Water for the People Network and the Water Systems Employees Response (WATER). The Supreme Court has declared private water firms as public utilities, supporting various campaigns for public control over resources. To realize the fundamental right to water and interconnected human rights, we must continue this fight.

No to the privatization of water! Investigate, stop, and nullify JVAs! People's control over people's resources!

• Water for the People Network
• Water Systems Employees Response

https://www.facebook.com/share/PH6mYZt3mXPPNqYK/

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: WE ASK AGAIN - WHERE'S THE WATER?

Concerns about privatized water are affecting Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao. If water is a basic right, what is the government doing to uphold it?

In Maynilad’s West Zone, residents lament frequent service interruptions. In Manila Water’s East Zone, there are reports about rising rates, unannounced shortages, murky water, and costly meter replacements. Social media is abuzz with consumer complaints against the Pangilinan- and Razon- owned firms.

Bay, Laguna also faces severe water interruptions. The municipal government has complained to the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) due to disruptions affecting households and businesses. The provider, Laguna Water District Aquatech Resources Corporation (LARC), a joint venture connected to Manila Water, has yet to meaningfully respond. In Cagayan de Oro, the Bantay Tubig Movement rallied 17,000 consumers to challenge a contract between Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) and the Pangilinan-controlled Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Incorporated (COBI), citing unapproved rate adjustments. The matter remains unresolved.

In San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, residents complain about weeks of water rationing, dry faucets, and discolored water. Consumers under the Manuel Villar-owned Prime Water face rate-setting and management issues. The company is also instructing consumers to pay online, obliging them to shell out more for transaction fees. Similar challenges are faced in Bacolod, including retrenchment.

Consumer groups such as the Alliance for Consumer Protection and Amlig Tubig await developments on appeals against joint venture agreements (JVA) involving oligarch water firms such as Villar’s Prime Water, which increasingly operate nationwide. Oligarchs’ properties reportedly enjoy reliable water supply in contrast.

The common thread is privatization. Water is available where it can be paid for, while those who can't afford it struggle. This violates the right to water and sanitation. Despite this, the government continues to facilitate joint ventures and public-private partnerships.

We hope consumer-led initiatives to assert the right to water will gain support. Efforts include the anti-water privatization bill by the Makabayan bloc, supported by the Water for the People Network and the Water Systems Employees Response (WATER). The Supreme Court has declared private water firms as public utilities, supporting various campaigns for public control over resources. To realize the fundamental right to water and interconnected human rights, we must continue this fight.

No to the privatization of water! Investigate, stop, and nullify JVAs! People's control over people's resources!

• Water for the People Network
• Water Systems Employees Response

The West Philippine Sea is currently a major geopolitical flashpoint, not just regionally but in global terms. This creates an opportunity for the Philippines to build itself up as a stabilizing force in the region.

If the Philippines is able to establish enough credibility it may even build itself up as eventually a mediator between China and the US in the region.

Non-alignment to benefit from West Philippine Sea [COMMENTARY] The Philippines is so desirable for the US and for China because it is a geographically self-standing archipelago with an incomparably strategic location. The country is at the intersection of the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean, straddles vital sea lanes near one of the world’s bus...

Workers and their families struggle with poverty wages and need an immediate large wage increase to bring immediate relief from the rising cost of goods and services.

Hi-res: ibon.org/ph-min-wage-family-poverty-wage
Related: ibon.org/min-wage-less-under-marcos-jr/

Presyo ng bigas, bababa kaya sa pagbawas ng taripa at pagpasok ng imported rice?

Mag-comment below at panoorin mamaya ang "Break It Down". Hihimayin natin ang isyu ng rice tarrif kasama ang IBON Foundation!

Kitakits mamayang 7pm! ✌

The persistent lack of decent work, low wages, and worsening poverty contradict the Marcos administration’s claims that the labor market is on a positive momentum and that more quality jobs are being created.

Gov’t labor market, quality work hype disconnected from poor Filipinos’ reality -- IBON [NEWS] Persistent lack of decent work, low wages, and worsening poverty contradict the Marcos administration’s claims that the labor market is on a positive momentum and that more quality jobs are being created.

[BIRD FEED]

"Basura lang kami sa kanila."

Despite its influx, subcontractual work is insecure and unstable, and the workers remain dispensable and unprotected.

Odd jobs: Spiraling through another day It may seem to be a mere picture of urban poverty and underdevelopment at first glance. But a closer look reveals something more profound.