As the Philippine government’s total outstanding debt rises up to P11.166 trillion, 23.3% higher than in the same period a year ago, it is inexcusable that the Duterte government still cannot provide decent economic relief for the poorest population, farmers and workers.
This is despite the record-breaking borrowings in 2020 supposedly to fight the health and socioeconomic crises due to COVID-19 pandemic.People’s organizations have been calling for Php10,000 economic assistance for poor families, Php100 emergency wage relief for workers, and Php15,000 production subsidy for farmers whose work and livelihood have been greatly impacted by the pandemic lockdowns.On the other hand, poor Filipinos, including women, carry the burden of paying higher consumption taxes due to the TRAIN law passed in 2017 to fund the government’s BBB infrastructure program, as well as payments for trillions of incurred debts.
