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Ungab sees difficult times ahead

June 14, 2022 Mario Fetalino Jr. 603 views

Mario FetalinoI WAS honored to be in the presence of several incoming officials of the Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) during a special occasion in Quezon City recently.

With a little more than 15 days to go before they assume posts and do their jobs, emerging PCOO Undersecretary Edwin Cordevilla and Assistant Secretary Bobby Ricohermoso – both are veteran mediamen — appeared raring to enter Malacanang with ‘guns blazing’ and turn PCOO into a very useful agency for President-elect Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos.

Prior to Marcos’ lopsided victory in the recent presidential elections, Cordevilla and Ricohermoso played key roles in the media operations of BBM’s headquarters in Mandaluyong. They are still reporting to the same HQ until end of June.

Come first day of July, the two PCOO executives will start to buckle down in the Palace.

Awaiting them are great challenges that will test the mettle of Marcos and other leaders who vowed to support his programs anchored on unity.

This early, a respected member and leader of the House of Representatives warned the Marcos administration against a looming economic crisis.

Filipinos should be prepared and must wisely plan on how to budget their income and expenses for the next months.

The country should brace itself for turbulent economic times ahead, House Deputy Speaker and Davao City 3rd District Rep. Isidro T. Ungab said.

Filipinos face a worldwide increase in inflation rate, skyrocketing gas prices, looming food shortage, and a prolonged Russia-Ukraine war. On top of all these, another possible spike in COVID-19 cases is projected.

“We foresee difficult times ahead. It’s up to us if we can safely ride it through and survive or go unprepared and succumb to the strong financial distress being experienced globally,” Ungab said.

While Filipinos tighten their belts, Ungab also cited the need to explore and look for other sources of income and become innovative when crises strike.

Ungab said the rise in prices of food and basic commodities is outpacing wages, which is becoming a growing household concern.

A former House Appropriations chair and former banker before joining public service, Ungab recently aired his support for President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s plan to set a stimulus package in the 2023 national budget,.

Ungab said Marcos’ intention shows his strong determination to rebuild the country’s economy.

“I urge everyone to unite and help the incoming administration. Let us come together and work for our country to be able to overcome these economic woes and adversities,” Ungab said.

Apart from the government’s plan to manage the rising inflation, Ungab also called on the incoming administration to prepare and update the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan for 2023 – 2028.

“It will become the basis of budgeting the expenditures in the coming months and years of President-elect Marcos’ administration,” he added.

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