Inflation: A Financial Burden

The recent data shows that the Philippine inflation accelerated to a new 14-year high of 18%. This massive increase is increasing the students’ daily expenses from fare, meals, school supplies and other academic needs. Are the government measures enough to combat the effect of inflation to its citizens? I guess not.

Given the current situation, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. indeed failed its promises to genuinely handle the growing living cost in the country more so the students and its parents. When a substantial amount of the family’s income has already been spent on necessities, it is difficult to spend to some educational costs that could lead to students underperforming in school.

We have not heard anything from the government that will somehow combat the effects of inflation and the prices of basic commodities are nowhere to go low. The basic fare in Burauen for students is now 10 pesos from 8 pesos in 2022 and 5 pesos in 2021 in población, how much more to those students living in the uplands.

Students from the upland barangays are complaining that fare is increasing and they pay as much as 100 pesos for a one-way trip. The increase in the recent fares in Burauen is a good sign for the tricycle and motorcycle operators and driver but a burden for the commuters.

This is owing to the fact that our ballooned inflation tends to worsen inequality and poverty because income is getting harder and savings is even harder for the poor.

Families who are already struggling financially are vulnerable and will continue to struggle if the prices of basic commodities will continue to rise.

We can just only look with envy and frustrated as Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri announced on February that all 3000 senate personnel will receive by August a 317% increase in their one-time “inflation assistance” or to at least P50,000 with another P50,000 medical assistance by September. Zuburi said that with the increase in inflation, the inflation assistance should go up as well.

The sense of entitlement from these so-called public servants is appalling and to show everyone how generous they are with bonuses at this time of high inflation is not just insensitive but also sick. How about finding ways to create more jobs for the Filipinos.

On the other hand, the government recently released a 3 billion fuel subsidy to lessen the impact of high oil prices to lessen the impact of high fuel prices and 9.3 billion “ayuda” under the cash transfer program intended to give 1000 per person or about 9.3 million of the nations “poorest of the poor”. Is this sufficient? Sorry but not sorry this is not enough to address the needs of over 100 million citizens of this country.

It is about time that the government examines its proposals and learn different ways to immediately relieve everyone’s suffering especially the working class and students. They have to find long lasting and effective solutions, not a band-aid for small wounds.

Marcos Jr. should devote time and effort to find causes of skyrocketing prices of basic commodities, the agony of the agriculture sector, unemployment, and come up with a more permanent and sustainable solutions to combat inflation and spare as all.

Cassandra Sydney Andrade

Chief Editor

Raze Shimby Belarmino

Associate Editor

Yenesa Maroto Tricia Clemente

News Editors

Venus Culas

Features Editor

Marie LouiseRyniaTulaytay Estrella

Sports Editor

Hannah Jiorebelle Gavino

SciTech Editor

Johnrick Bryant Palomares

Mary Claire Vitalesio

Cartoonists

Mary Ashley Arias

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Roreza Thadea Raga Santina Mark Daep

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Andrea Denise Apordo Sebastian Oligario

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Leiam Aquisa Mostacesa

Roxanne Pedere Aimee Caimbre

Abezier Dion Endiape Aron Sant Ezekiel Alisa

Josheae Parado

Contributors

Jovy Yu Salinas

Journalism Coordinator

Pete John A. Figueroa Eurica Concepcion A. Villanueva

School Paper Advisers

Julia S. Colilihan

English Coordinator

Victorian Subaran

Assistant School Principal II

Glendale B. Lamiseria

Secondary School Principal IV & Consultant

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STANDPOINT

Vice President Sara Duterte said that, “Even before the pandemic, it is not a strict requirement for public schools to wear uniforms (DepEd Order No. 065, s. 2010) to avoid incurring additional costs to the families of our learners” All the more that it will not be required this school year given the increasing prices and economic losses due to the pandemic,” she added.

The subject of school uniforms is frequently one that is contested and contentious. Some students utter that school uniform foster a sense of equality and cohesion