The inflation rate may have eased by a mere 0.1 percent in May, but it will still have huge, positive impact on Filipino families, House Speaker Martin Romualdez said.
“Simple man pakinggan, pero malaking bagay ito sa panggastos ng pamilya. Kapag hindi tumataas ang presyo, mas kayang buhayin ang pamilya (It may sound simple, but this is a big help for the family's expenses. When prices do not increase, it's easier to provide for the family)," Romualdez said in a statement Thursday, June 5.
"Gumagaan ang pasanin, may pambili ng bigas, pamasahe, kuryente at gamot sa pamamagitan ng mga programa ni Pangulong Bongbong R. Marcos Jr. Hindi na kailangang isakripisyo ang ibang pangangailangan,” Romualdez said.
(The burden is lighter, there's money for rice, transportation, electricity, and medicine—all made possible through the programs of President Bongbong R. Marcos Jr. There’s no need to sacrifice other necessities.)
Earlier, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that inflation slowed to 1.3 percent in May from 1.4 percent in April, bringing the year-to-date average to 1.9 percent — well within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 2 to 4 percent target range. This is also the lowest recorded rate in more than five years.
Romualdez, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president and Leyte's 1st district representative, said this "good news" should be felt directly by Filipino families.
The Speaker noted that inflation for the bottom 30 percent of households was effectively zero in May, reflecting the government’s success in shielding the poorest sectors from rising prices.
“This isn’t just about charts or graphs. This is about the question every parent asks: Is our income enough to get us through the week? Right now, the answer is a little more hopeful than before,” said the leader of the 306-member House of Representatives.
The PSA attributed the slower inflation to reduced increases in the cost of housing, electricity, gas and water, which rose by only 2.3 percent.
Food inflation also remained low at 0.7 percent, a sharp drop from 6.1 percent in May 2024. Transport costs declined further, while core inflation, which excludes food and energy, held steady at 2.2 percent.
Romualdez credited President Marcos and the country’s economic managers for their steady and coordinated response to inflation.
“President Marcos has made inflation control a top priority. The results are now becoming clear — less price volatility, more certainty, and concrete benefits for Filipino households,” he said.
The House chief reiterated that the legislative chamber remains focused on protecting the purchasing power of ordinary Filipinos.
“In Congress, we are working on laws that will lower rice prices, support our farmers, and make basic goods and services more affordable. We can’t be complacent just because inflation is low this month. The goal is lasting relief,” he said.