Business

MANILA — Employment statistics from the recently released January 2006 Labor Force Survey (LFS) belies government?s claim of an improving economy, according to independent think-tank Ibon Foundation. The January 2006 LFS actually paints a picture of a weak, worsening economy unable to generate long-term, sustainable jobs, the foundation said.

According to the LFS, some 2.8 million Filipinos failed to find work in January 2006, up by 15% from 2.5 million in the same period last year. The decrease in jobs came from the industry sector, which shed some 95,000 jobs mostly from the manufacturing and construction sub-sectors. In a strong, vibrant economy, manufacturing should be the backbone of the country?s industrial sector and a major source of job creation.

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MANILA — Palace spokesman Ignacio Bunye on Wednesday called for the people to move on so that the government could push economic reforms, reiterating Malaca?ang?s claims that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had decisively won 2004 national elections. But it is precisely her economic ?reforms,? such as the reformed value-added tax (RVAT) law, that continue to contribute to political unrest, and not only allegations of corruption and election fraud, according to independent think-tank Ibon Foundation.

?Life has inarguably become more difficult for the people under Arroyo,? says Ibon research head Sonny Africa. Ibon?s estimated cost of living (national average) has grown almost 30% during the more than five years of the Arroyo administration. The real value of the peso has fallen by 23% during the same period.

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