Philippine economy

1.3M jobs lost: Fall in number of employed bursts full recovery hype bubble

June 11, 2022

The incoming finance secretary claims that the economy is on its way to full recovery, but the over one million drop in employed persons in April 2022 proves otherwise.

PH isn’t Sri Lanka… yet

May 25, 2022

The Philippines isn’t going the way of Sri Lanka yet in defaulting on its foreign debt payments anytime soon. Which is not to say that there are no lessons to be learned from the first canary to die in the coal mine of growing global debt distress.

8.3% in Q1-2022 the end of high GDP growth rates

May 12, 2022

While economic growth in the first quarter of 2022 is welcome, this is mainly driven by base effects and election-related spending. Growth is also weak and unsustainable considering the unfavorable jobs market. Things could be even worse depending on how the volatile global economy plays out. This will likely be the last relatively high growth reported, and the next administration will have to make do with weaker growth performance.

Million increase in underemployed: Economy still not creating enough decent work

May 6, 2022

NEWS

Government should not be complacent following the reported increase in employment, considering the spike in underemployment and in part-time work. Many Filipinos are still struggling to make ends meet and the economy is still weak despite reopening.

Inflation makes NCR family living wage rise to Php1,087

May 5, 2022

The NCR minimum wage is falling even further behind the FLW and a meaningful increase is more urgent than ever for genuinely inclusive recovery.

A vegan’s musings on Earth Day

April 22, 2022

There exists a complexity to achieving sustainability and harmony with nature. I shall remain vegan, but the next time I say Itadakimasu, I shall put the farmers, peasants and workers right at the heart of my gratitude.

8 of 10 new jobs are just part-time: PH struggles to create quality work as economy reopens

April 7, 2022

Latest labor force data show that the economy, despite reopening, is struggling to generate sufficient work. Additional jobs created are also mostly temporary, insecure and informal.