The Palace assured on Thursday, September 27, that the administration’s top concern remains fighting inflation.
In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr. said that while the country currently faces myriad of issues and challenges, the government is focused on mitigating the effects of inflation.
“The foremost priority of the administration is fighting inflation. So everything is sidelined now dahil hindi naman natin talaga inaasahan ‘yung pagtaas bigla ng presyo ng krudo at petrolyo ‘no,” he stressed adding that charter change takes a backseat.
“Bagama’t hindi po natin inaabanduna ang pederalismo ‘no. Darating po tayo diyan pero alam po natin na kinakailangan na mas marami pang diskusyon, pag-aaral, at desiminasyon na dapat gawin para sa pederalismo,” he added.
The Palace official underscored that the issue of high prices is a gut issue.
“Even the administration acknowledges na mas importanteng harapin ‘yung problema na malapit sa sikmura ng taumbayan,” Roque said.
To show the administration’s strong resolve to tame inflation, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed last Friday four issuances, which seek to resolve the spike in agricultural products.
Roque further said that the inflation only began when there was a sudden increase in the price of the oil.
“Pero in the long run umaasa po tayo na unang una ‘yung presyo ng langis ay hindi na po tataas. Pero kung tumaas man, inaasahan natin na at least ‘yung presyo ng mga pagkain mapapababa natin,” Roque said.
“Nakikita niyo naman po ang buong economic team ay aktibo, kasama na po ang Department of Agriculture, at iba pang mga departamento para bigyan ng solusyon itong pagtaas ng presyo bagama’t wala po talaga tayong maibibigay na solusyon sa pagtaas ng presyo ng langis at iba pang bilihin,” Roque added, citing that there’s an initiative to import cheaper diesel and other oil products from non-OPEC countries.
‘Palace welcomes ADB’s report of 6.4% Philippine economic growth outlook for 2018’
In the same press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Roque said that while the current Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s report of 6.4% Philippine economic growth outlook for 2018 is lower than its original outlook, this is still “not bad at all.”
“We assure the public that our macroeconomic fundamentals are resilient, strong and stable. Per ADB’s updated outlook, the Philippines’ growth remains the second highest in Southeast Asia,” he said.
“Our economic managers are committed to the country’s long-term vision and are swiftly addressing issues affecting our growth prospects to sustain high growth and make it inclusive,” he added. PCO-Content
