SBG seeks stronger shields vs inflation
The government must implement stronger measures to protect ordinary Filipino families from rising living costs after the country’s headline inflation accelerated to 7.2 percent in September, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said.
Go said the latest figures underscore the need to keep essential goods and services within reach of low-income households, particularly as higher prices of food, utilities, transportation and healthcare place additional pressure on family budgets.
“What matters most to our fellow Filipinos is whether their income is enough to pay for food, transportation, electricity, medicine, and other daily necessities. When the prices of basic goods rise, the poor and those who earn just enough to get by each day are the ones most affected,” Go said.
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed headline inflation rose to 7.2 percent in September from 6.1 percent in August.
The latest figure brought average inflation from January to September to 5.4 percent.
According to the PSA, one of the primary drivers of the increase was food and non-alcoholic beverages, where inflation accelerated to 6.7 percent from 4.6 percent the previous month.
Tighten price monitoring
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels registered inflation of 8.4 percent, while transportation recorded 14.6 percent. Health-related prices also rose by 5.6 percent.
Go urged concerned agencies to intensify price monitoring, address supply bottlenecks affecting essential commodities, and ensure that government assistance programs remain responsive to families hardest hit by rising prices.
“Let us monitor the prices and supply of basic goods. If there are ways to lower costs and prevent shortages of food and other essential goods, let us act on them immediately. Every peso a family can save makes a big difference to them,” he said.
The senator particularly emphasized the importance of protecting food security as the country simultaneously confronts the effects of El Niño, which has already damaged agricultural areas and affected farmers and fisherfolk in several regions.