Inflation for poor at 5-yr high

Consumers line up to buy National Food Authority rice at P32/kilo at Pasig City Mega Market. —FILE PHOTO

The rate of increase in prices of basic commodities among poor families remained at an almost five-year high of 9.5 percent year-on-year in October even as food inflation slightly eased that month, the government reported Friday.

The Philippine Statistics Authority’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Bottom 30-Percent Income Households report for October showed that the year-on-year rate matched September’s similar 9.5 percent, the highest since 2014, based on 2000 prices.

The PSA said prices of services, clothing and miscellaneous goods rose 3.5 percent, 2.9 percent and 2.2 percent, respectively, all faster than a month ago.

However, price increases in food, beverages and tobacco slowed to 10.7 percent in October against 10.8 percent in September, while those for fuel, light and water also eased to 9.8 percent from 10 percent, the PSA said.

Also, the food index saw a slightly slower 9.8-percent increase from 9.9 percent in September.

“Relative to their annual rates in the previous month, annual add-ons in October were slower in the indices of corn at 5.6 percent; fruits and vegetables, 14.2 percent, and meat, 7.1 percent,” the PSA explained.

At the end of the first 10 months, inflation for the bottom 30-percent households averaged 7 percent.

Nationwide headline inflation was a lower 6.7 percent year-on-year in October, although the rate was an over nine-year high based on 2012 prices.

Poor families outside Metro Manila experienced a similar 9.5-percent hike in average prices last October, similar to the rate in September.

Poor households in Metro Manila, meanwhile, experienced a slower average price increase of 6.9 percent that month from September’s 8.1 percent.

This has been the reason why labor groups insisted that the slowdown in inflation should not be a cause for celebration for the administration as the poor could hardly afford basic commodities.

For the working poor straining to keep their families from starving, it does not mean much, said Sentro secretary general Josua Mata. Prices of basic goods and services rose to 6 percent in November, down from 6.7 percent in September and October, amid slower price increases in food and utilities, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Mata said the government should remember that the figure was still way above its higher estimate of a 4-percent inflation this year.

Transport groups also found little reason to relax amid the recent rollback of fares for jeepneys and President Duterte’s decision to push through with the second round of increase in the excise on fuel next month.

Economic managers see the decline as optimistic, but the figures don’t add up for jeepney drivers still struggling to make ends meet, said Piston chair George San Mateo.

“The [lower inflation rate] is no use to us,” San Mateo said. “With the looming P2.45 additional excise on diesel starting January 2019, drivers would suffer an additional loss of P80 a day.”

San Mateo was referring to the fuel tax hike approved by Mr. Duterte last week.