More Filipinos hungrier and poorer

The present administration and their supporters can continue to deny or ignore that millions of our people are affected by the present high inflation. Or they can open their eyes and see the reality of more Filipinos queuing up for hours for cheaper NFA rice. Or they can listen more closely to the woes of the poor interviewed by media – that they are hungrier and eating less, that they are poorer now.

In July, even before the inflation rate soared to 6.4 percent in August, a survey by the Social Weather Station conducted from June 27-30 already showed that an estimated 2.2 million families reported that they experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the past three months.

With the Philippines reported by Bloomberg as the home of the fastest growth in prices in Asia, will the present administration still continue to treat the present high inflation as a non-problem, transitory, and “nothing out of the ordinary?”

An Asian Development Bank report, according to Representative Romero Quimbo, showed that “at the height of the 2008 global financial meltdown, 2.3 million Filipinos became poor for every 10 percent increase in food prices such as rice, galunggong, and vegetables.” Quimbo noted that “with essentials increasing in price by more than 20 percent in the last seven months, it is fair to say that four million more Filipinos have become poor because of uncontrolled inflation.”

Not only is food, especially rice, more expensive. Supply has become problematic as well.

Duterte still has to fulfill his pre-election promise that he will get rid of rice hoarders in months. Aside from rice hoarders, NFA and the Agriculture Department have been remiss in not ensuring sustainable rice supply. Even galunggong is now being imported!

Despite the adverse impact of TRAIN 1 (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) among our people, the Duterte-dominated House approved TRABAHO which is really TRAIN 2, except for its new name which stands for Tax Reform for Attracting Better And High-quality Opportunities.

Duterte and his supporters said the taxes to be raised by these tax reforms are crucial for our nation. Come again? For our nation? For our people? Or for their group?

How have the huge savings of the previous administration been spent by Duterte and his team? How have the present taxes been utilized by the present administration?

Rather than more tax burden on our people, Duterte may want to shift to a better, more transparent use and public accounting of present taxes and budget.

Resolutely addressing corruption within his ranks can also salvage public funds that can be used instead for public service and welfare. Duterte may also wish to return the public funds that he used to treat hundreds of military and police personnel during the Israel and Jordan trips. He can also rationalize and lower the budget of his office by removing undeserving officials with their undeserved huge salaries, at our people’s expense.

A loud, emphatic NO to more taxes for this present government! Instead, use present public funds for genuine service, especially for the poor who have become poorer, the hungry who have become hungrier in the present Duterte administration.  Typhoon Ompong will definitely affect food supply again. Less supply will hike prices and increase the queues of those who want to buy cheaper, but not necessarily healthier, food items.

Continuing inflation will affect wages and employment with more of our people, hungrier and poorer. The corrupt and abusive will become richer. The powerful, more interested to stay in power, will be more oblivious to our people’s increasing hunger and poverty.