IN an interview on July 26, after assisting fire victims in Parañaque City, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go echoed President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s sentiments on how the nation has been grappling with inflationary pressures, largely due to global factors beyond its control.
“Alam n’yo, wala naman pong cure-all approach para ma-resolve ang inflation. Maraming factors po sa ngayon na hindi na natin kontrolado,” said Go.
“Ang pagtaas po ng presyo ng langis sa world market dahil rin po sa giyera sa Ukraine. Masyadong dependent tayo sa imported oil na siya namang ginagamit ng iba’t ibang produksyon ng goods and services kaya tumataas ang presyo ng mga bilihin,” Go elaborated.
However, he also pointed out a significant achievement in the country’s fight against inflation–the inflation rate has lowered from 8.7 percent in January to 5.4 percent in June.
Go however acknowledged that the challenge to bring down inflation continues, especially for the disadvantaged in society.
“S’yempre, hindi pa po nagtatapos ang pagtutulungan natin upang mas maipababa pa ito dahil apektado talaga ang mahihirap. Bawat piso ay napakaimportante po sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan,” he said.
During his State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos similarly highlighted inflation as one of the country’s most formidable challenges in the post-pandemic economic recovery phase. He cited several global events such as the war in Ukraine and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as major factors contributing to inflation.
Go stressed the government’s role in addressing this issue, particularly the impact of inflation on the country’s poor, who struggle with every peso spent.
“Dapat ito po ang tugunan ng ating gobyerno, ‘yung pagtaas ng presyo,” urged Go.
“Alam n’yo ‘yung mga nagtatrabaho, ‘yung mga isang kahig isang tuka napakabigat po sa kanila ang bawat piso kaya dapat ito po ang patuloy na tutukan ng ating gobyerno. ‘Yung mayayaman hindi nila kailangan ‘yan. ‘Yung mga mahihirap po nating kababayan ang nangangailangan po ng tulong ng gobyerno,” the senator concluded.