There is, so far, no discussion on whether or not the government would duplicate the Senate's inflation relief aid to its employees in the executive department and to the public.

Citizens gather in front of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) along Legarda Street, Manila, after receiving information that they will receive livelihood assistance from DSWD on Friday, January 13, 2023. Some residents started to line up as early as 6 p.m. on Thursday, but DSWD Officer in Charge Secretary Edu Punay denied in a phone call that there was a scheduled release of assistance today. (Juan Carlo de Vela)

Although the current administration recognizes the impact of inflation in every sector, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the move to provide inflationary aid to employees of the executive department and to poor families is not under discussion as the government is now focusing on efforts to bring down inflation.

"Not that. Of course there are talks about another round of SSL (Salary Standardization Law) but that is still premature. So far as I know, that's not part of the discussion now itong parang (this) general assistance as that provided by the Senate," Balisacan said in a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Feb. 21.

"Ang approach namin diyan is siyempre lahat tayo ay naapektuhan directly sa (Our approach there is, of course, we are all directly affected by) inflation and on one hand, we are trying to work out na yung inflation na yan ay mababa (to bring down inflation) in the coming months," Balisacan explained.

He emphasized that he "cannot talk for or against" the Senate's move to increase from P12,000 to P50,000 the inflationary aid to its employees for this year as they are an independent body and can decide on their own.

Balisacan, however, said that the government will prioritize those who are adversely affected like the poor families but did not mention the kind of assistance that will be given to them.

"or those naman na talagang (who are really) affected adversely, lalo na yung mga (especially the) very poor and vulnerable groups—yun ang talagang pagbuhusan natin ng (we will prioritize them in giving) assistance." he said.

"Hindi feasible na lahat naman ay pare-pareho yung treatment kasi (It is not feasible to do the same treatment) as you know our fiscal space is very very limited," he stressed.

For now, what the government can do and is doing is to address inflation and its main drivers, the NEDA chief said.

"Yun pwede naman natin ma-address (That we can address), we are not helpless there. We are doing our best to address those production issues and lalo na sa (especially the) supply chain," Balisacan said.

The Philippines' inflation rate rose to 8.7 percent in January from 8.1 percent in December last year.

#Executive department

Inflation relief aid for gov't employees, poor families not on the table, says NEDA chief