Arroyo hails inflation downtrend, urges swift gov’t programs

Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. INQUIRER.net file photo / PATHRICIA ROXAS

MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo lauded on Saturday the inflation downtrend, saying government agencies must act swiftly on implementing programs that would benefit Filipinos.

“It is good that inflation is on a downtrend. In general, to the extent that so-called domestic supply side factors are involved, the government’s agencies must act quickly on the implementation side, to get the plans and programs going on the ground and produce results our people will feel in their day to day lives,” Arroyo said in a statement.

Arroyo’s statement came after inflation averaged 5.2 percent in 2018. Last December 2018, inflation rate eased to 5.1 percent which was the first time since August 2018 that inflation fell below the 6-percent level.

READ: Inflation downtrend continues in December

Arroyo then said the government must step up on implementing projects “quickly and efficiently” following Cabinet members’ proposals on government’s infrastructure development programs.

“The focus must now be on implementing things quickly and efficiently, in all fronts,” she said. “This is consistent with some Cabinet members’ call for vigorous implementation of the government’s infrastructure program.”

Arroyo said they must produce “tangible results during the second half of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term.” /jpv