Wow Naman !
Sa mga buwan na nagdaan, lalong-lalo na sa simula ng taong 2008, nakita natin ang malakas na impact ng piso laban sa dolyar. Mula sa napakababang halaga ng piso ng mga nakaraang taon na lumalampas sa Php 50 kada dolyar, nakita natin ang unti-unting pagtaas ng halaga ng piso. In fact, umabot ang exchange rate sa Php 41.8=$1- isa sa pinakamababa na halaga ng piso sa loob ng halos isang dekada.
Unfortunately, habang lumalapit ang taon sa third quarter, little by little tumataas na naman ang halaga ng dolyar. And eventually, makikita natin na biglang babalik ang halaga ng piso sa dati nitong exchange rate isa o dalawang taon na ang nakakaraan. This fluctuation in the peso vs dollar exchange rate brought about many economic disasters in the country including this issue which would be discussed- the dreaded INFLATION.
The biggest issue that storms the Philippine current events is the inflation being experienced by majority of the Filipinos. Inflation was abruptly felt by the consumers this May as it reached a peak level of 9.6%- the highest inflation rate in a span of nine years. It was in 1999 when the Philippines experienced a high inflation rate of 10.5% and these coming months, it would be possible to beat this inflation record.
One of the reasons why inflation reached an all time high is due to food shortage leading to soaring prices of food and other commodities. Kung matatandaan natin, rice shortage became a big issue for the last few months and up to this date, we can still feel the detriments which arouse from that nationwide crisis. Aside from soaring prices of food and similar commodities, the price of gasoline is also reaching irresistible heights. In fact, marami nang provinces ang nag mandate ng dagdag sa pamasahe.
Because of this very concerning issue, the governments responded by collaborating with other sectors to improve production, manage and use resources wisely, and sustain the jobs available for many in order to support the people’s living allowances. Programs being undertaken by the government includes increase in the rate of value added tax or VAT, giving subsidies on food, diesel and electricity. While these programs are a big help to the people, the government still needs extra effort to target the real problem and solve the cause of these inflations, aside from providing remedies. Meralco also is one of the issues and the GSIS. Ang GSIS ay dapat lubayan ang Meralco and focused themselves on doing their improvements. Whether they like it or not their system is as bad as anyone elses. They need to be focused on their own and stop bugging Meralco and let the firm do what they can. Tutal the pinoy masa has their eyes on the company itself.
Generally, inflation was most felt on food, beverage and tobacco products. Idagdag pa ang rice shortage na nararamdaman pa rin ng halos nakararami, lubhang maraming mga Pilipino ang magugutom at hindi masusuportahan ang pansariling mga pangangailangan kasama na ang edukasyon lalong-lalo na ngayon malapit na naman ang pasukan. Aside from inflation on food products, inflation was felt strongly in terms of utilities, services, and clothing.
Inflation is a dreaded phenomenon and it makes people more vulnerable to poverty and hunger. Kapag nagsimula ang inflation, asahan natin na sunud-sunod na naman na problema ang darating sa ating bansa. The government needs to act on this problem and should do it immediately. And we, as consumers should do our very best to manage our resources wisely and spend our money conscientiously.