Government protecting Pinoys’ purchasing power – Marcos

MANILA, Philippines — The slower inflation last month indicated that the government’s efforts to support consumers, workers and businesses are working, President Marcos said yesterday.

“We are continuously protecting the purchasing power of Filipinos,” Marcos said in a Facebook post.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a livestock trade fair in Pasay City yesterday, Marcos cited the need to boost agriculture production to lower prices.

Marcos, also the agriculture secretary, said the setting of a clear sugar importation schedule and giving of assistance to farmers also played a role in lowering inflation.

Despite lower inflation figures, the retail prices of vegetables have further increased by at least P60 to P80 per kilo as highland vegetables such as cabbage and carrots rose to P180 and P200 per kilo, respectively, according to the Department of Agriculture.

In an interview with The STAR, farmers’ group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura president Rosendo So said the spike in the retail prices of vegetables could be attributed to transportation and other additional costs.

Earlier, Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Kristine Evangelista said the retail price of vegetables is expected to stabilize as she attributed the movement to the rains experienced in many areas in the country. – Bella Cariaso, Danessa Rivera