Go: Maximize assistance amid pandemic
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has urged agencies under the Executive department to give all the assistance they can provide to the poor and affected Filipinos amid the rising food prices, pandemic and similar situations in the country.
“I am urging the Executive (department) to extend all possible help to the poor and affected sectors,” he said.
According to the Senator, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has its TUPAD program (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) that aims to help displaced workers, including overseas Filipino workers.
Go likewise stressed the needs of local traders and fisherfolk in order to help them recover.
“Give all the assistance to help them recover,” he pointed out.
I am urging the Executive (department) to extend all possible help to the poor and affected sectors.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the rate of price increase in the country has accelerated for the fourth consecutive month in January 2021 to 4.2 percent, primarily fueled by the rising prices of meat products and vegetables, as well as fuel prices. This is the highest reported increase in inflation after the recorded 3.8 percent in February 2019, he said.
Earlier, the government has set a 60-day price ceiling on pork and chicken meat in Metro Manila that started on 8 February.
This is to address rising prices of meat products due to supply shortage brought by the African swine fever and the illegal manipulations by some traders.
Monetary authorities also said that it is possible for the inflation to breach the two to four percent inflation target in the coming months, while maintaining their projected rate to an average of 3.2 percent in 2021.
Meanwhile, Go likewise urged the government to assist the micro, small and medium enterprises so they can recover from the economic slump, one of the worst in the country’s history.
The Senator said that he will continue to travel around the country to provide assistance to the vulnerable sectors and give them “a glimmer of hope” amid the country’s current situation.