Sonny Africa
Sonny Africa | |
|---|---|
| Alma mater |
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| Occupation(s) | Executive Director, IBON Foundation |
| Organization | IBON Foundation |
| Known for |
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Sonny Africa is a Filipino economist and social activist who serves as the executive director of IBON Foundation, a non-profit research and advocacy organization based in the Philippines.
Early life and education
[edit] | This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (November 2024) |
Africa completed his undergraduate education at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Philosophy and Economics between 1988 and 1990. Following his undergraduate studies, he continued at LSE to pursue postgraduate education, completing his Master of Science in Development Studies from 1991 to 1992. His educational background in both philosophy and development studies would later inform his approach to economic analysis and social advocacy in the Philippines.
Career and Advocacy
[edit]Economic Analysis and Public Policy
[edit]Africa has been notably active in providing critical analysis of Philippine economic policies and government statistics. He is known for his methodological approach of using government's own statistics to challenge official narratives and provide alternative analysis of economic conditions.[1]
At the annual 'Birdtalk' forum held at the University of the Philippines Diliman in January 2024, Africa raised significant concerns about government claims regarding economic growth, emphasizing the need for more nuanced analysis of economic indicators.[2]
Under his leadership, IBON Foundation has advocated for more realistic poverty measurements, particularly calling for a reassessment of the food poverty threshold to better reflect actual living conditions in the Philippines.[3]
Transportation Policy
[edit]Africa has been a significant voice in the discourse surrounding the Philippine government's Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program. In early 2024, he provided analysis on the potential impacts of jeepney modernization, warning about projected fare increases and reduction in available transportation routes.[4] His analysis suggested that minimum jeepney fares could reach ₱50 within five years under the modernization program.[5]
Labor and Employment Analysis
[edit]Under Africa's leadership, IBON Foundation has conducted extensive research on Philippine labor markets and employment quality. His work has highlighted concerns about job quality versus quantity in the Philippine economy[6] and the need for improved labor policies to address economic slowdown.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Rebut gov't claims with its own statistics – Sonny Africa". Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. June 11, 2024.
- ^ Fred Dabu (January 26, 2024). "Annual 'Birdtalk' forum held at UPD, raises concerns about gov't claim of economic growth". UP.edu.ph.
- ^ Jiselle Anne C. Casucian (August 15, 2024). "IBON calls for 'more realistic' food poverty threshold". GMA Integrated News.
- ^ "Jeepney modernization may mean higher fares, fewer routes: Think tank". ABS-CBN News. January 2, 2024.
- ^ James Relativo (January 3, 2024). "P50 minimum jeepney fare 'seen in 5 years' under PUV modernization". Philstar.com.
- ^ Zeus Legaspi (February 8, 2024). "Jobs in the Philippines: Quantity over quality?". INQUIRER.net.
- ^ Waya Lao (January 19, 2024). "Analysts from IBON call for better labor policies to curb economic slowdown". Rappler.