CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Recent fighting between the New People’s Army (NPA) and government troops has once again drove…
Stop over-relying on foreign investments, government told
Soon after the enactment of the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act, research group IBON said that the Duterte government should not depend on foreign investments for economic progress and job generation.
For expediency, the Ease of Doing Business Act or Republic Act (RA) 11032 simplifies the application process for the establishment of businesses in the country. Proponents say that RA 11032 aims to attract more foreign investments.
IBON said however that even after several decades of rising foreign investments, domestic industries and agriculture remain lagging, while the Filipino people continue to be mired in a poor jobs situation.
Foreign direct investments (FDI) have grown by 391% from US$664 million in 2013 to US$3.3 billion in 2017. But most of these investments have gone to foreign export enclave manufacturing, business process outsourcing, commercial and residential real estate, and transport infrastructure. These areas are profitable for foreign and local big business, but not necessarily beneficial to the country’s economic development, said the group.
IBON explained that investments have remained scarce in domestic industries and agriculture sectors that are much-needed for sustainable and genuine growth and job generation. For instance, agriculture only received 0.6% (US$19.6 million) of total FDI in 2017. Meanwhile, the gross domestic product (GDP) share of agriculture declined from 10.5% in 2013 to 8.5% in 2017. Manufacturing remains stagnant with minimal change from its 22.8% GDP share in 2013 to 23.6% in 2017.
Rising FDI has not translated into improved job generation. IBON noted that the number of employed Filipinos fell by 663,000 from 40.3 million in 2017 from the previous year, which is the biggest contraction in employment in 20 years. The labor force participation rate (LFPR) also dropped to 63.7%, the lowest in 20 years when it was 63.1% in 1985 during the severe economic crisis. More recent official labor data for the first quarter of 2018 shows that there are over one million underemployed despite higher employment and lower unemployment.
Before RA 11032 was signed, the World Competetiveness Report showed that the Philippines’ attractiveness to corporations wanting to do business here was diminishing. The country’s ranking plunged by 9 slots, reportedly the biggest drop in Asia, due to employment concerns and poor social infrastructure.
IBON however said that instead of focusing on attracting foreign investments, the Philippine government should first ensure its control over key local industries, utilities and services, as well as place national interest and public welfare above local and foreign big business interests. For the country to truly benefit from foreign investments, these should be planned in accordance with genuine domestic development, with close government monitoring and regulation, said the group.###
Workers group slams PNP’s ‘fake accusations’ against labor activist
Labor group Defend Job Philippines denounced the PNP (Philippine National Police) and the CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) for releasing what the group asserts as fake accusations and fabricated pieces of evidence against labor activist Juan Alexander Reyes.
The PNP earlier today disseminated copies of Reyes’ mugshot and photos of his “actual arrest” Saturday afternoon. The police also gave out photos of what they maintain as evidence gathered at the time of arrest: a black sling bag, a .38 caliber pistol, and ammunition.
Reyes was illegally arrested on June 2 shortly after a meeting with members of SMQC (Sandigan ng Manggagawa sa Quezon City), of which he is an organizer.
Authorities claim that Reyes is a member of the NPA (New People’s Army) and the National Organization Division of the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines). He is facing an arson charge pending in an Agusan del Norte court and another for illegal possession of firearms on the day of his arrest.
Trumped-up charges
Defend Job Philippines contends that the PNP’s photos on Reyes’ arrest and charges filed against him are merely concocted. The group published a video of Reyes facilitating a strike vote election two days before his arrest.
A long-time labor leader, Reyes has been active in organizing labor unions in government institutions and private corporations, including the Senate, National Museum, Department of Tourism, and Pearl Islands Commercial Corporation. He is also convenor of Defend Job Philippines.
The labor group condemns the filing of trumped-up cases against Reyes and sees the move as a form of harassment versus trade unionists and labor activists. “Reyes has been known to be a champion of workers rights and welfare — for regularization, higher wages, and better working conditions — both in the private and public sector,” the group said in a statement.
Reyes has been under the surveillance of state forces since 2015. He filed a statement attesting to a harassment incident that involved a man identifying himself as a military personnel visiting his home in Caloocan and offering to “help” in exchange for a meeting with him. According to Reyes’ testimony, the man claimed to know about his “position in the Party” and promised Reyes that he will not be hurt as long as he would cooperate.
Should the charges be formally filed against him, Reyes will be among the 500 political prisoners under the Duterte government.
In the last four months alone, rights group Karapatan has documented four illegal arrests by the PNP and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), including two Dumagat peasants and a volunteer for Gabriela Women’s Party.
Government insincere about peace
With Reyes’ arrest and made-up charges, Karapatan Metro Manila puts into question the sincerity of the Duterte government in addressing the roots of armed conflict and bringing about peace in the country.
“This incident is another manifestation of the government’s tyranny and fascism. The harassment and crackdown on activists and progressive groups is worsening everyday which may obstruct the enabling climate for the continuation of the 5th round of GRP-NDFP Peace Talks,” the group said.
Peace talks are set to resume at the end of the month. On the agenda laid out by the NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines) is an interim peace agreement consisting of a general amnesty proclamation for political prisoners, a coordinated unilateral ceasefire, and the CASER (Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-economic Reforms).
The post Workers group slams PNP’s ‘fake accusations’ against labor activist appeared first on Manila Today.
ALAB Newscast (June 1, 2018)
MAALAB NA PAGBATI, PILIPINAS! Narito ang nag-aalab ng mga balita mula sa AlterMidya Network.
-Pagpasa sa Bangsamoro Basic Law, ikinadismaya ng Moro groups
-P750/day national minimum wage isinusulong sa gitna ng tumataas na presyo ng bilihin
-Masaker sa 9 MILF, kinundena
-Lumad patay, anak sugatan sa pinakahuling atake sa ilalim ng Martial Law
-Protesta ikakasa ng Hanjin workers sa Subic
-Pag-aresto sa sugatang NPA lider, labag sa humanitarian law ayon sa peace advocates
-Pagpapatupad ng Free Tuition Law, ipinanawagan ng mga grupong kabataan
atbp.
The post ALAB Newscast (June 1, 2018) appeared first on Altermidya.
Labor group accuses Sol Gen of hypocrisy
DAVAO CITY – For the militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), the response made by Solicitor General Jose Calida…
Motion for reconsideration filed by tortured security guard at Laguna court
On May 31, 2018, torture survivor Rolly Panesa filed a motion for reconsideration on the acquittal of four police officers and other John and Jane Does involved in his torture and illegal arrest in 2012.
No peace under Duterte with arrests of activists, indigenous peasants
Karapatan condemned the recent spate of arbitrary arrests of two activists and two indigenous peasants by the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“This spate of brutality by soldiers and the police towards innocent civilians is already the rule rather than the exception for this government. These violations of human rights are in direct contrast with President Duterte’s stance that he is allegedly for peace. How can there be peace when his soldiers and cops are primed to kill, torture, and arrest people with impunity? ” said Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay.
Higaonons evacuate from military occupation of community
A hundred and fifty-eight Higaonons have again been driven away from their homes by the military in Sitio Camansi, Barangay Banglay, Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental, Lumad organization Katungod said. Thirty-five Higaonon families are now encamped at Lagonglong town center after soldiers of the 58th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army occupied their homes and community, the […]