Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero has called on the government to strengthen protections against the worsening rise in prices of goods, after headline inflation hit 7.2 percent nationwide in April.
Regional Inflation Hotspots
Inflation surged to 10.8 percent in Central Visayas and 9.9 percent in Zamboanga Peninsula, among the highest rates recorded outside Metro Manila.
Escudero noted that the double-digit increase in Central Visayas and the near-double-digit figure in Zamboanga highlight the urgent need for coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities. He emphasized that families and farmers are the most affected by the rising prices of food, crude oil, and transportation.
Inflation Drivers
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), inflation rapidly accelerated from 4.1 percent in March. The increase was driven by food, transportation, housing, electricity, gas, and crude oil.
Outside Metro Manila, inflation averaged 7.7 percent. Central Visayas remained the country's inflation hotspot for the ninth consecutive month, with its 10.8 percent rate fueled by food and transport prices.
While expressing confidence in the administration's economic team, Escudero stressed that the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) must act in closer coordination.
