Imee Marcos says rising commodity prices ‘no longer normal’

Senator Imee Marcos visits San Fabian town in Pangasinan province on Thursday, December 8, to lead the distribution of the financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development under the agency’s “Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation” program. (Photo by Yolanda Sotelo)

SAN FABIAN, Pangasinan — Senator Imee Marcos on Thursday said the cause of the skyrocketing prices of various commodities has continued to perplex her.

Marcos was here to lead the distribution of financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development under the agency’s “Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation” program.

“Ngayon ang taas ng mga bilihin. Hindi maintindihan kung bakit ganyan ang bilihin, kung bakit ganyan na ang nangyari. Mas mahal na ang diesel kaysa gasolina. Talagang hindi na normal,” Marcos told the cash aid beneficiaries.

The inflation rate in the country accelerated to a 14-year high of 8 percent in November, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

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For the senator, giving the government’s cash aid directly to the beneficiaries is one of the solutions to help them cope with the rising prices of commodities and to help those who lost their source of livelihood due to the pandemic.

“Sa pandemya, mga lolo at lola ay napreso sa bahay sa takot mahawa. Ang mga namamasada, walang kita dahil puro lockdown,” she said.

Marcos said giving P3,000 in financial assistance to the impoverished sector is just part of what the government does to directly help the needy.

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