In-Depth Archives

Reaping the benefits of unionism, the Nexperia Philippines workers’ experience

For workers in Southern Tagalog, repression is as normal as resistance.

Carlo Manalansan | Dec 27, 2023

Amid attacks, urban poor persist in fight for right to housing

The struggle for their right to housing taught them that they have bigger fights to win.

Janess Ann J. Ellao | Dec 27, 2023

How land tenure can mitigate climate vulnerabilities of agrarian beneficiaries

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Mavic Conde | Dec 6, 2023

A decade-long suffering: Yolanda survivors still deprived of essential services

A decade after Yolanda, survivors have to grapple with the absence of reliable and potable water supply, inadequate housing space and absence of certificate of ownership, high transportation costs, limited income opportunity and food insecurity, and absence of clear mechanism to hear grievances.

Bulatlat Contributors | Nov 8, 2023

Special Report | Push for renewables threatens lands and livelihood in the Cordillera

The Cordillera region, with 5.5 million hectares of drainage area, is considered the "water cradle" of Northern Luzon. Its watersheds feed six major river systems, and have an estimated generation potential of 3,600 megawatts, according to the Department of Energy. With this substantial potential, the Cordillera region is again in the spotlight regarding dam-related conflicts more than five decades since the proposed Chico River Dams ignited popular resistance.

Northern Dispatch | Nov 13, 2023

Special Report | With budget cuts, technological state universities not so techie

Students from state universities are calling for higher budgets for science laboratories, classrooms, and equipment amid expectations of excellence.

Bulatlat Contributors | Sep 25, 2023

Teachers tell PH gov’t: address perennial problems of education sector

“Teachers have long suffered from an atrocious education system in the country. It is high time for the government to address these problems.”

Bulatlat Contributors | Sep 14, 2023

SONA 2023 | Press freedom no better under Marcos Jr.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was silent on press freedom issues during his second State of the Nation Address. The situation on the ground is no better.

Alyssa Mae Clarin | Jul 26, 2023

SONA 2023 | Still no justice for victims of enforced disappearances despite anti-disappearance law

A decade after the enactment of the Anti-Enforced Disappearance Act of 2012, relatives of victims of enforced disappearances continue to decry lack of accountability.

Anne Marxze Umil | Jul 23, 2023

SONA 2023 | Agrarian reform beneficiaries await the fruits of their struggle

Agricultural workers and farmers remain in endless wait as agrarian reform takes a backseat under the Marcos Jr. administration.

Janess Ann J. Ellao | Jul 23, 2023

Not-so-safe delivery: Riders’ trip to unsafe working conditions

“The nature of work of delivery riders is unquestionably necessary and desirable to the business and trade of the companies to whom they render their services. Without them, companies engaged in the delivery business have actually no business to speak of. Thus, delivery riders are deemed regular employees by operation of law, regardless of the existence of any work contracts they signed."

Bulatlat Contributors | May 14, 2023

Workers in Southern Tagalog push back for labor rights

Despite the setbacks, however, workers in the Southern Tagalog region have continued to assert their rights and fight back. For Mario Fernandez and his fellow unionists in TEPWU, it meant meeting state forces head on. This meant actively challenging attempts to tag them as “communist sympathizers.”

Justin Umali | May 14, 2023

Double standards in the Philippine’s justice system

“In the Philippines there is no such thing as finality when you are poor and political. Because if you are rich or the son of a king of a department, you are a very important prisoner, your case will get decided for 75 days but for the poor and political and those targeted by the government, there is no end to their legal problems."

Anne Marxze Umil | Jan 27, 2023

Travels and travails of women migrant workers

When the global pandemic reached Hong Kong, the once busy streets in Chater Road became quiet. Domestic workers were not allowed to go out and were forced to work longer hours, including Sundays, as their employers were working at home. Others had their contracts arbitrarily terminated.

Janess Ann J. Ellao | Jan 23, 2023

#NoGoldenEra | In 2023, public health still not a priority

“It is ironic because they said they will make health care a priority and that this is the leading agenda of this administration. But until now, there is still no portfolio, no health secretary. That remains a big vacuum."

Janess Ann J. Ellao | Jan 5, 2023

#NoGoldenEra | Marcos Jr.’s economic plan to amass wealth for a few

One of the legacies of the Marcos Sr. dictatorship is how it blatantly used the state and bureaucracy to plunder the economy and enrich itself and its favored elite, including foreign interests. Marcos. Jr., with his economic blueprint, is setting the stage to do the same.

Bulatlat Contributors | Jan 4, 2023

#NoGoldenEra | Rights victims meet hurdles in Ombudsman Office

In the Philippines, victims of rights violations face dead ends as they turn to the Office of the Ombudsman for justice and redress.

Bulatlat Contributors | Jan 4, 2023

#NoGoldenEra | Food is now a luxury for low-income families

Poor Filipino families cannot afford to eat three meals a day.

Bulatlat Contributors | Jan 2, 2023

#NoGoldenEra | Workers suffer as pay remains insufficient amid incessant price hikes

This year, workers intensified their calls for a wage hike and the lowering of prices, saying that the pay should be able to cover the needs of a family of five.