Go cites need to mitigate hunger, inflation

MANILA, Philippines — The government must prioritize three important aspects toward recovery hunger mitigation; acquisition of sufficient, safe and effective vaccines for all Filipinos, and creation of more economic opportunities through jobs and other forms of livelihood, Sen. Bong Go said yesterday.

Go said the poor and vulnerable sectors as well as the frontliners should be prioritized in the anti-COVID vaccine program of the government.

“As the President said, no one should be left behind toward recovery,” Go said as he lauded President Duterte for signing Executive Order 123.

The EO modified the import duties on certain agricultural products as provided under Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

It aims to maintain the reduced tariff rates on mechanically deboned meat (MDM) of chicken and turkey until next year.

The reduce tariff intends to curb hunger and prevent prices of products from going up in the wake of the COVID pandemic.

“This is most welcome and I support it. This will have a huge impact on keeping prices low by keeping the tariffs low and preventing any inflationary effect,” Go said.

He said the MDM is a major component of low-priced meat products commonly purchased by ordinary Filipinos.

Keeping these affordable will help address hunger and mitigate poverty, he said.