MANILA – The government needs to remain vigilant and well-positioned against possible risks to inflation in the country, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
Headline inflation eased to 2.6 percent last month, lower than the 2.9 percent recorded in the previous month and the 3.8 percent in February 2019.
This brings the year-to-date inflation to 2.8 percent, within the government’s target range of 2 percent to 4 percent for the year.
“While inflation is expected to remain well within the target for this year, (the) government must not be complacent and ensure that strategies are well-positioned against risks brought by (the) continuous spread of African swine fever (ASF), tighter rice supply from Thailand, and the ongoing outbreak of (the) coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-2019),” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said in a news release issued on Thursday.
Pernia highlighted the recently reported oversupply of vegetables and possible delayed arrival of imported products due to production and logistics disruptions caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.
He said providing post-harvest facilities, such as cold storage and other logistics support, are necessary to assist the affected producers and consumers.
“We call on our colleagues in the government, both in the national and local levels, to stand ready in effectively managing the demand and supply of key agricultural commodities, which will possibly be affected by these risks,” Pernia added.
He cited the need to strictly implement the national zoning and movement plan, as well as the 1-7-10 protocol, to prevent and control the spread of ASF to other localities.
The 1-7-10 protocol requires that all hogs within a 1-km. radius from the ASF-affected area are to be culled.
Within the 7-km. radius, the movement, shipment, and sale of hogs would be controlled, while all hogs within the 10-km. radius would be placed under monitoring.
Pernia also underscored the need to effectively use the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund to improve rice production in the country amid the risk.
“We also need to closely monitor other developments, particularly those that may cause disruptions in the global supply chains due to the spread of Covid-19,” he said. (PR)
