Do you welcome news of a stronger Philippine peso? Why?

Rose Leobrera, Manila: For me, it’s an advantage because when I go abroad, konti lang iipunin ko in exchange for a dollar. Yehey!

Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela: A strong peso means bigger dollar reserves for the government. But in a country that largely depends on migrant workers’ remittances, this is not good.

Bad news for OFWs

Larry Parroco, Quezon City: This is not-so-good news for our OFWs. It might give them second thoughts about sending more dollars and this could be bad for the economy.

Richard Decena, Quezon City: No, isa po ako sa mga retiradong OFW na nahihirapan sa pag-budget dahil sa pagtaas ng presyo ng lahat ng bilihin at pagbagsak ng dolyar.

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: Where’s the good news in this? This is bad for our OFWs. It further adds to their mounting problems.

Stronger economy

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: Yes, it will benefit the Filipino people in general considering that a stronger peso is an indication of the overall state of our economy.

Louella Brown, Baguio City: I welcome the news of a stronger peso because it indicates a sound economy.

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Yes, it is an indication that our economy is improving and is now competitive. Let’s give credit to the one who laid a strong foundation for the country’s economy.

Sign of progress

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: Any news about the country moving forward is welcome news.

Leonard Villa, Batac City: Yes, because a stronger peso buys more, reduces the inflation rate and keeps our economy more stable. Consequently, a stable economy redounds to a better life.

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: As a local earner, the strong peso is an advantage and will help me meet my family’s pecuniary needs. We can save more. Our country’s loan amortization would likewise decrease. However, this is no good news for dollar earners, especially our OFWs.

Manny Cordeta, Marikina City: It’s a piece of good news. Admittedly, although local bankers, economists and investors have expressed their apprehensions about this news, a stronger peso brings renewed hope for a better life. Everything else should follow - a decent education, health benefits and the like.

A solution to brain drain

Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: A stronger Philippine peso is more advantageous to peso earners. Filipino workers and intellectuals, especially those who receive high salaries, would now prefer to work in our country. This would solve the problem of brain drain.

Elmo Cruz, Manila: The OFW may find it disadvantageous because it affects their remittances. On the other hand, it is a sign of our economic upswing. In the end, OFWs may decide to work in the Philippines because there would be more opportunities for them here.

I’d rather keep my dollars

Adrian Catral, Las Piñas City: I would rather keep my dollars and wait for the time na tumaas uli ang rate nito. The present rate is not making me happy.

Like a dead weight

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: The value of any currency is like a dead weight attached to a crane controlled by politicians, businessmen, natural and artificial disasters, etc. on top of a basin of water. Once the controllers decide to dip the dead weight deeper into the water, the water level rises proportionately to how deep the controllers dip the dead weight. When the peso’s value rises, we, the poor and the marginalized, welcome it because the water level on the basin becomes shallower. But when its value dips, the water level gets higher and we all drown in poverty and hardships.

More dollars

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: Yes, a stronger peso suggets that we now have an influx of dollars through portfolio and long and direct foreign investments.

Elpidio Que, Vigan: A peso that gets stronger is indicative that more dollars are coming into our country. It is basically because the euphoria of change is still in the air, that confidence in P-Noy’s government is still there for them to pour in their dollar remittances and investments. A very strong peso vis-a-vis the dollar, like when I was a youngster, at P8 to $1, could make us a tiger republic.

Increased buying power

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: For those of us who don’t earn in dollars, whatever keeps our currency afloat and stronger seems to be welcome news. But then, what is more important should be a stronger buying power for the peso, to be able to be of help to Filipinos particularly our low-income countrymen.

Juan Deveraturda, Subic, Zambales: A stronger peso is bad news to Philippine exporters and OFWs. It is, on the other hand, welcome news to the greater majority of Filipinos. A stronger peso should slowly improve the lives of Pinoys, as it would increase the purchasing power of every salaried Filipino employee. It means they could buy more for every peso they earn. Sana ganoon ang mangyari.

Bad for tourism

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: No, a strong peso would severely affect the tourism industry since it would be more expensive for tourists to play in casinos or eat in restaurants and fly to the country’s various tourist destinations. The most affected, of course, are the modern heroes of our land, the OFWS, and their beneficiaries. The value of their income, which is mostly remitted in US dollars, have dropped to worrisome levels. The bad governance of the GMA administration also contributed to the strong peso.

Yes and no

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Yes and no. Yes, because it augurs well for our economy. No, because it would be detrimental to our exports and to our modern-day heroes, the OFWs.

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: Investment-wise, it matters a lot because our imports will be increasing and our economy remains strong. It is a welcome scenario on the part of the government since it will cut down the cost of our foreign debts and our imports, and this will lead to lower interest rates, among other things. However, for those who depend on the cost of dollars like our OFWs, it will be a sad story. Likewise, our export industry will also suffer.

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: It depends on who’s answering. It’s crying time for an OFW, and a time to laugh for travelers abroad.

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: A stronger Philippine peso is one indication that our economy is improving. But how does it affect our people? Will there be a salary increase and lower prices of prime commodities? Definitely, this development brings joy to our importers but tears to OFWs and exporters. As to who welcomes this news depends on which side of the coin you are in.

Ed Gulmatico, Abu Dhabi: As an OFW and with a family living in our country, this can be both good and bad news. It’s welcome in the sense that a stronger peso is supposed to translate to financial stability and a secure economy. Apprehensive, in the sense that the benefits of a stronger peso do not trickle down to the majority of Filipinos, especially the jobless.

No effect

Roger Caravana, Bulacan: A stronger Philippine peso does not equate to more jobs and food on the table.

Lucas Banzon Madamba, Laguna: It depends on the situation one is in. Actually, a weak peso doesn’t really matter much.

Cris Rivera, Rizal: Oh no, how could I? My peso may be getting stronger against the US dollar, but it is weak against Meralco, which will again increase its power rates by P1.78 per kwh this month.

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: Yes, of course, though I still can’t feel its direct effect on my everyday expenses and/or income.

No longer dependent

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: There was a time when we were solely dependent on the US dollar for our foreign trading. Today, we deal with other foreign currencies.

Balancing act

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: Though exports and OFW remittances are affected, the stronger peso helps balance payments.

Better options

Carmela Ramento, Cagayan de Oro City: A strong peso does not always mean an improving economy. When the dollar is weak, which is bad enough to know, the peso is artificially propped up. As soon as the dollar strengthens, the value of the peso tumbles down. Stability and predictability are better options.

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: A strong currency is never good to the economy. It means exports will be more expensive. Investors will be encouraged to invest elsewhere. The 12 million OFWs will likewise be affected. China, Japan, the US and many other countries are fighting the appreciation of the dollar but the Philippine government didn’t do anything about our peso, which has devalued by over 20 per cent in less than a year. Instead of being worried, some stupid officials insist that it’s a sign of an improving economy.

Unexpected development

Felix Ramento, USA: Frankly, no. Much of my family’s subsistence and other financial obligations are met in dollars. However, for the government, a stronger peso means meeting foreign debts. This development is rather unexpected.

Why aren’t fuel prices down?

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: I would have to, thinking that gasoline will get cheaper. Sadly, the strength of the peso is no match to the unified strength of the big oil companies.

Weaker dollar

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: Before we welcome news of a stronger peso, let us first find out the cause. Is the strong peso the result of a dramatic business growth or is it because of the depreciation of the dollar? Worldwide, economies are in chaos and every country is fighting for survival with the use of different strategies. The continued inflow of dollars can be one of these strategies. Big and emerging economies may deliberately weaken their respective currencies so as to benefit from the strong import market of other countries that definitely slows or impedes the country’s export growth.

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: It is welcome news if such strength is brought about by a favorable balance of trade, an increase in the GNP (Gross National Product) and the elimination of graft and corruption. However, it makes no sense if it is due to the weakening of the US dollar and the purchasing power of the peso remains the same.

Downward

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: For a country like the Philippines, a stronger peso is both good and bad news. To families of OFWs that depend on dollar remittances, a lower exchange rates means less food on the table and cost-cutting measures. In the ’60s, the exchange rate was $1:P4. We were well-off, second to Japan in Asia. FM decided to end all this. By the time EDSA 1 kicked out “si Malakas at si Maganda”, the peso was already $1:P28. It was all downhill since then. Based on my experience, what did a stronger peso bring us? Problems.

More beneficiaries

Ishmael Calata, Parañaque City: I do welcome news of a stronger Philippine peso because it is for the greater good of our people, in general, and for our government, in particular. Of course there are sectors that are affected by a strong peso such as OFWs and exporters. But come to think of it, the number of people who are benefited by this stronger peso far exceeds those who aren’t. I only hope that this is not temporary. I hope, too, that this surge of the peso is not due to the weakening of the dollar and the currencies of the leading world economies in the West.

Tornado warning: ‘I’ll knock Manny out’

Darius Manabat, Metro Manila: We heard that before from Clottey, Cotto, Hatton, Marquez, Barrera, Morales, etc.

Ferdinand Angeles, Metro Manila: He will get infected with “Pacmansons disease” after the bout. He must be dreaming.

Marcuz Uragon, Metro Manila: That’s the right attitude of a fighter.

Dan Sulit, Manila: Just do it.

Lloyd Atienza Mendoza, Metro Manila: With the speed and power Pacman has, Margarito will forget his name, but he will never forget the man that beat him, Pacquiao.

What can you say about the brewing romance between P-Noy and his stylist as reported by entertainment editor Ricky Lo?

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

         NEXT INBOX QUESTION: What can you say about the brewing romance between P-Noy and his stylist as reported by entertainment editor Ricky Lo?