By Brian Campued
Malacañang on Friday welcomed the easing of the headline inflation in the country to 1.5% in November from 1.7% in October, amid domestic economic headwinds that may have been affected by political issues.
“Maganda ang ipinapakita na pagbaba ng inflation rate dahil nga sabi natin hindi maiiwasan because of the political noise na talaga namang maaapektuhan ang ating ekonomiya,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a press briefing.
In its monthly inflation report, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) stated that the year-to-date average inflation for 2025 is now at 1.6%, significantly below the government’s target range of 2% to 4%.
In a statement, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Sec. Arsenio Balisacan attributed the slowdown in inflation to the Marcos Jr. administration’s intensified efforts to stabilize prices, boost supply, and ensure food security.
“The sustained moderation in inflation reflects our commitment to protect consumers and strengthen our economic resilience against global and domestic headwinds,” Balisacan said.
“We will continue implementing timely, well-coordinated policies to keep prices stable and ensure progress is felt by every Filipino,” he added.
The DEPDev chief noted that to sustain the administration’s efforts to control inflation, more sites will be opened for the “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” program across all 81 provinces before year-end, expanding access to affordable rice for Filipinos.
He said the Department of Agriculture (DA) has also issued guidelines to strengthen safeguards against African swine fever (ASF) while facilitating safe pork imports.
“To address the impact of rising electricity prices, the government is automating the registration of qualified 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) beneficiaries for the Lifeline Rate Subsidy to extend electricity bill discounts to more households,” the DEPDev statement read.
Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said Filipinos can expect a “better, stronger” economy in the coming months as the administration keeps inflation under control and continues to strengthen governance measures to boost investor confidence.
“Better days are coming. Makakaasa po ang bawat Pilipino ng mas malakas at mas matatag na ekonomiya sa mga darating na buwan dahil sa tiwala at mas tapat na pamamahala. We will make a strong economic comeback in 2026,” Recto said in a statement.
He noted that the country’s low and stable inflation is among the strengths cited by S&P when it reaffirmed the Philippines’ ‘BBB+’ high investment-grade rating with a Positive Outlook.
Recto stressed that lower prices, combined with a strong labor market, are expected to boost domestic demand, drive consumption, and support the country’s above-average growth relative to its regional peers.
The Executive Secretary also emphasized that the government continues to prioritize infrastructure rebuilding in calamity-hit areas to restore economic activity and ensure that budget spending is focused on programs with high multiplier effects, such as education, agriculture, health, and social services.
This is on top of the ongoing efforts to uphold transparency and accountability amid the flood control anomaly.
“At kapag naman po ito ay natapos na at naipakita naman ng Pangulo kung ano ang reason kung bakit kailangan magkaroon ng pag-iimbestiga, tingin natin mas lalong magtitiwala ang taumbayan sa Pangulo,” Castro said in a press briefing.
“Kahit ano pang mangyari, maapektuhan man pansamantala ang ating ekonomiya, ang ating taumbayan basta dapat maituwid ang tama,” she added.
-jpv
