Gobyerno dapat mas agresibo vs inflation – Diokno

Gobyerno dapat mas agresibo vs inflation – Diokno

February 19, 2023 @ 9:31 AM 1 month ago


MANILA, Philippines – Sinabi ni Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno nitong Sabado, Pebrero 18, na dapat mas maging agresibo at tutok ang Executive Department sa usapin ng inflation, kasabay ng pagsampa sa 14-year high nito noong Enero.

Sa pahayag, sinabi ni Diokno na “main sources of inflation remain on the supply side, which should be the responsibility of fiscal authorities.”

“While evidence of second-round effects is increasing, the previous direct actions by government agencies have yet to work [their way through],” aniya.

Sinabi pa nito na hindi sapat ang importation ng mga pagkain.

“There has to be a focused effort to ensure that the imported goods reach the intended markets as soon as possible. The Bureau of Customs should release the imported food items with the same sense of urgency that we have given the importation of COVID-19 vaccines,” ani Diokno.

“Local authorities should facilitate, not impede, the movement of essential food items to the intended markets. Restricting free movement of essential food items is one sure way of prolonging inflationary pressures.”

Samantala, sinabi ni Diokno na plano ng pamahalaan na bumuo ng maliit na
technical working group consisting kasama ang National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Trade and Industry, at Department of Agriculture “for an objective and timely assessment of supply and demand conditions of key food items.”

“This responsibility should be taken away from vested groups. This will help ensure timely actions to avert short-term upticks in food prices,” sinabi pa niya.

Ang pahayag na ito ni Diokno ay kasunod ng desisyon ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) nitong Huwebes, Pebrero 16, na itaas ang interest rates ng 50 basis points dahil sa banta ng inflation.

Posible ani BSP Governor Felipe Medalla ang panibagong hike sa kasunod na policy meeting sa Marso 24.

“The monetary authorities have done their part; the Executive Department, including LGUs (local government units), have to do more, be more aggressive and focused. In the fight against inflation, monetary policy is not the only game in town,” ani Diokno, na dati ring BSP chief.

“If the Executive Department succeeds in controlling the sources of inflation on the supply side more effectively, there will be less reason for monetary authorities to raise policy rates,” aniya. RNT/JGC