Informal Economy Budget Analysis in Philippines and ... - WIEGO

WIEGO Working Paper N o 12Table of ContentsIntroduction.............................................................................................................................................1Objectives of the study.........................................................................................................................1Methodology and limitations.................................................................................................................1Overview of the Informal Workers in the Philippine Economy..................................................................2Amidst continuing crisis and worsening poverty....................................................................................2Jobless growth and the informalisation of women’s work.......................................................................3From informal sector to informal economy............................................................................................5National Budget Policy and the Philippine Development Agenda ...........................................................6The Philippine budget process.............................................................................................................6The Philippine development agenda ....................................................................................................7Budgeting for Anti-poverty Reforms: Focus and Priorities......................................................................10Government line agencies championing pro-poor programmes and targeting workers inthe informal economy.....................................................................................................................11Poverty reduction projects subsidised by tax windfall..........................................................................18The Local Context: Quezon City’s Local Budget Policies and Programmes Relevant to itsInformal Economy Workers ....................................................................................................................19Quezon City’s land area and population..............................................................................................20The Plight of the poor and the informal economy workers in Quezon City............................................20Addressing poverty in Quezon City .....................................................................................................21Helping poor women through the Sikap Buhay Entrepreneurship and Microfinance Programme ............22Livelihood support for the waste-pickers in the Payatas dumpsite .......................................................23Programmes and strategies addressing the needs and prevailing issues, concerns andchallenges of women workers in the informal economy...................................................................24Programmes of non-government organisations and people’s organisations for workersin the informal economy................................................................................................................ 28Compelling Government Budgets to Address Practical Needs and Strategic Goals................................30Summary and Conclusion.......................................................................................................................31Abbreviations.........................................................................................................................................32References.............................................................................................................................................35Resource Persons...................................................................................................................................38List of TablesTable 1: Percentage Distribution of Expenditure Programme by Sector, 2000–2008................................10Table 2: Government Agencies Promoting Projects for the Poor and Informal Sector, 2007–2009............12Table 3: Programmes Supportive of MDG Targets Funded By VAT for 2008.............................................18Table 4: Livelihood Programme for the Informal Sector of Quezon City, 2009...........................................22