• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has called on the government to strengthen safeguards against rising consumer prices, as headline inflation climbed to 7.2 percent nationwide in April, and reached 4.9 percent in Negros Island.
Escudero said Central Visayas’ double-digit spike and Zamboanga’s near double-digit rate, of 10.8 percent and 9.9 percent, respectively, highlights the urgency of coordinated action between fiscal and monetary authorities, noting that households and farmers are bearing the brunt of rising food, fuel, and transport costs.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that headline inflation accelerated sharply from 4.1 percent in March and just 1.4 percent a year earlier, with core inflation rising to 3.9 percent.
The surge, according to PSA, was driven mainly by food, transport, and housing costs, underscoring broad pressures across the economy.
Food inflation reached 6.1 percent, with rice climbing 13.7 percent, and corn 21 percent, alongside higher costs for fish, seafood, and vegetables.
Transport inflation jumped to 21.4 percent, while housing, electricity, gas, and fuels rose 8.2 percent. These increases were felt most in regions where logistics and agriculture are central to daily life, PSA said.
Outside the National Capital Region, inflation averaged 7.7 percent, with Central Visayas remaining the country’s inflation hotspot for the ninth straight month, posting a steep 10.8 percent driven by food and transport costs. Zamboanga Peninsula followed at 9.9 percent; Davao Region at 9.7 percent; SOCCSKSARGEN at 9.6 percent; and Caraga at 9.4 percent.
The lowest was recorded in Negros Island Region at 4.9 percent, showing wide disparities across the country.
While expressing confidence in the administration’s economic team, Escudero stressed the need for tighter alignment between the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
“Improved coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities will be important in the coming months. By working closely with the DOF and the BSP, the government can craft a more responsive strategy that addresses pressures currently affecting the regions,” he pointed out.
“The fight against inflation must be felt most in the regions where families are struggling to keep pace with rising costs,” Escudero said in the statement.*
