đź“·: IBON Foundation
The Philippine government’s transport program has concentrated some of the country’s largest infrastructure projects in the hands of a few conglomerates, policy think tank IBON Foundation said Tuesday.
In a statement, IBON warned that while these ventures promise hefty returns for tycoons, commuters are left to bear the costs through higher fares, tolls, and user fees that guarantee private profits.
The group stressed that the model entrenches monopoly power over essential public services, raising concerns about accessibility and affordability for ordinary Filipinos.
IBON argued that the government’s reliance on private-led megaprojects reflects a broader policy bias toward corporate interests.
“These projects are structured to ensure profitability for conglomerates, not affordability for commuters,” the group said, noting that transport infrastructure should prioritize public welfare over guaranteed returns.
The think tank added that the concentration of projects among a few business groups risks deepening inequality in access to transport, as ordinary citizens face rising costs while tycoons secure long-term revenue streams.
IBON urged authorities to reorient infrastructure policy toward more equitable and publicly accountable models. # (ZIA LUNA)
