House Speaker sees lowering food prices as top priority

House Speaker Martin Romualdez has declared lowering food prices as an "urgent need" and the administration's top priority.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that while overall inflation was 2.9 percent in January 2025, food inflation increased to 4.0 percent.

Romualdez emphasized that high food prices directly impact every Filipino family and that public servants have an obligation to ensure affordable food.

This rise in food inflation reflects the country's supply chain vulnerabilities.

External factors such as global trade frictions and domestic challenges, including typhoon damage to agricultural production, have kept inflation risks elevated.

Romualdez believes a dual approach is necessary, involving sound monetary policy and decisive action to bolster domestic production.

He stated that addressing inflation is not solely the job of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas but should be complemented by smart administration of food and basic needs.