ALBAY 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda has highlighted the continued decline in inflation for March, attributing the slowdown to easing price pressures on key commodities such as rice. However, he also cautioned that rising meat prices could pose a challenge in the coming months.
Salceda noted that year-on-year rice prices fell by 7.7 percent, a decline that had been anticipated by the House Murang Pagkain Supercommittee. He expressed optimism that rice prices would continue to decrease before likely stabilizing with a slight increase by midyear.
While the drop in rice prices is a welcome development, Salceda warned that the price of meat remains a point of concern. He explained that meat prices are largely influenced by the cost of corn, which declined by 1.6 percent year-on-year. Despite this, meat prices surged by 8.2 percent, and fish prices remained relatively high. He projected that next year could see lower meat and fish prices as the effects of lower corn prices take hold, but he acknowledged that the current inflation rate for meat remains worrisome.
Salceda emphasized that fluctuations in meat prices could impact household nutrition, particularly as protein sufficiency has been linked to improved educational outcomes in STEM fields in other countries. He urged continued vigilance in addressing not just meat prices but also the cost of vegetables and fish to ensure a well-balanced and affordable diet for Filipinos.
With rice price concerns easing, Salceda stressed the need for sustained efforts in stabilizing food prices overall. He pointed out that achieving food affordability is crucial in maintaining a capable workforce, especially amid global economic uncertainties brought about by factors such as former U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and ongoing overseas conflicts.
Moving forward, Salceda called for comprehensive strategies to manage food inflation and ensure long-term stability in the country’s food suppl
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