‘WE FEEL IT, TOO’

Inflation, uncertainties gnaw at students

SEVERAL issues that are plaguing the Philippines also affect Divine Grace School students.

The inflation rate in the country accelerated to a new 14-year high of 8.7% in January, driven by rising utility, housing and food costs.

The headline rate— the fastest recorded since November 2008— eclipsed the 8.1% logged in December and was well above the 3.0% seen in January last year, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The figure also exceeded the central bank’s forecast of 7.5% to 8.3% for the month.

“Ang street food ngayon ay P20 na isang stick,” Jana Molleda of Grade 10Amethyst said. She also mentioned that half of her money now goes to needs, unlike before, when she could still buy the things that she liked.

Xela Ehong of Grade 10-Amethyst said that her P100 allowance a day is now not enough.

“Mga mabibili ko sa canteen ranges from P15 to P20. Dagdag pa iyong pamasahe sa tricycle na P40 pesos na,” Ehong said.

Inflation also leads graduates to leave the country to find a work that gives them a higher income.

The Philippines now has a shortage of nurses. These nurses have opt- ed to leave the country for better paying jobs abroad.

Margaret Imperial, also of Grade 10 - Amethyst, has the same mindset.

She said of leaving the country to find better paying jobs.

“Better for practicality, more opportunities and iyong salary rate is mataas.”

The spate of assassinations on former Lamitan, Basilan mayor Rose Furigay (August 2022), broadcaster Percy Lapid (October 2022), and Negros Oriental gov- ernor Roel Degamo last March also struck fear among Graceans.

These remorseless killings were believed to be of political and personal motives.

“As a student, worrisome iyong mga pagpatay kila Percy Lapid and sa mga mayor. Parang the political climate in the country has changed after Marcos Jr. was elected,” said King David Manghi of Grade 11-Marx. “Ang hirap makita na all of a sudden na ang veteran broadcaster na malayang pinapahayag lang iyong kanyang mga saloobin sa insightful, sharp, at minsan nakatatawang paraan ay makita mo na lang na maglaho sa industriya.

“Iyong pangyayaring ito ay maaaring mag-udyok sa mga aspiring journalist na mabuhay sa takot kahit alam ang katotohanan which is napakahirap.”

No one should be left behind

EEPNEY and UV

Express operators held a protest against jeepney phase-out with a supposedly week-long trans-

Jeepney operators objected the government’s modernization program because of the "anti-poor jeepney phase- operators hold a rally during the supposedly week-long strike.

PHOTO

By the end of the year, traditional jeepneys will be changed into modern jeeps or minibuses. The modern vehicle costs P2 million each, which drivers and operators claimed to be too Netizens, especially the youth and the commuters, expressed their support to the protest of the jeepney drivers.

Jeepneys serve as one of the main trans- portations to Jana Molleda, a Grade 10 student commuter from Divine Grace School.

"Hindi naman kami ganoon kayaman so pag na-wipe out completely iyong jeep na traditional, mas tataas iyong fare,” Molleda said.

She voiced her stand supporting fellow commuters, the environment, and jeepney drivers. As a commuter, the jeepney phase-out will make it even harder to commute.

"Dapat balance iyong solusyon nila, kung gusto nila ng environment friendly, dapat commuter and jeepney driver friendly din,” she added.

According to her, if the government wants an improvement, there shall be no one left behind.

Editor: CHRISTINE ALTHEA LABANDIA