Winning inflation, unemployment challenges
THE government of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is effectively addressing a number of key issues very close to ordinary Filipinos.
One of which is inflation – the general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of our money.
Filipinos have a reason to be glad lately owing to a government report indicating that the country’s inflation rate is easing.
And like them, Malacañang was pleased with the country’s slower headline inflation rate last month compared to January.
The decreased inflation rate reflects the government’s effective measures against inflationary pressures, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro said in a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday.
“Magandang balita. Inulat ng Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) na bumagal sa 2.1 percent ang inflation rate o ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga produkto at serbisyo sa bansa nitong Pebrero mula sa 2.9 percent noong Enero,” Castro said.
“Ito na ang pinakamababang antas na naiulat simula noong Setyembre 2024 (1.9 percent),” she added.
“Ang mas mababang antas ng inflation ay bunsod ng mas mabagal na pagtaas ng presyo ng food and non-alcoholic beverages na nasa 2.6 percent. Ang pagbagal naman ng presyo nito ay dahil sa mas mabagal na pagtaas ng presyo ng gulay at iba pang produkto,” the official said.
In 2025, the average inflation rate remained at 2.5 percent, well within the government’s annual target range of 2 to 4 percent, Castro said.
Castro said that the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) would continue to work on controlling the inflation rate and addressing any potential increase in the prices of other commodities.
The PSA reported that the slower headline inflation rate resulted from a deceleration in food inflation (2.6 percent down from 4.0 percent) and non-food inflation (1.7 percent down from 2.2 percent).
The agency reported that rice prices saw a sharper deflation, dropping to -4.9 percent from -2.3 percent. Prices have decreased month-on-month since July 2024 as international prices ease and tariffs are reduced.
The PSA reported that vegetable inflation decreased to 7.1 percent from 21.1 percent in the previous month, balancing the increase in meat inflation to 8.8 percent from 6.4 percent.
Another issue frequently raised by the masa is employment. But even this one is being handled quite well by the government.
In Pampanga, a welcome development is the availability of so many jobs for the unemployed.
A total of 2,280 job openings are up for grabs in Clark after 30 investors or locators offered them for filling, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Communications Manager Astrud Aguinaldo announced on Wednesday.
During a press briefing in Malacanang, Aguinaldo said there are job vacancies in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, business process outsourcing, and the industrial sector for engineers, technicians, welders, machine operators, human resources personnel, and warehouse workers.
She also mentioned that there are bus drivers, conductors, sewers, and sales staff jobs.
The tourism and hospitality sector has openings for hotel staff, security personnel, chefs, marketing professionals, and casino dealers.
Meanwhile, Aguinaldo said the commercial and retail industry is seeking sales associates, cashiers, and store managers.
Opportunities are also available in aviation and health care, where nurses, medical technology staff, and physical therapists are in demand.
Job applicants may upload their curriculum vitae (CV), biodata, or résumé with a photo to [email protected].
Goodluck to job seekers!
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