THE BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expects inflation to have further accelerated in September, due to higher oil and food prices, it said in a statement on Friday.
The central bank’s Department of Economic Research gave a September inflation forecast of 6.8%, with a range of 6.3% and 7.1%.
If realized, it would be the highest since February 2009’s 7.2% print, and is faster than the 6.4% recorded in August.
Headline inflation averaged 4.8% in the eight months to August, well above the 2-4% target band for 2018.
“(This is due to) higher domestic petroleum prices, higher prices of rice and other agricultural commodities due to typhoon Ompong, and the peso depreciation contributed to the upside price pressures for the month,” the BSP said.
Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut), which hit northern Luzon earlier this month, caused P7- billion worth of damage on public infrastructure, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways. The Department of Agriculture on Monday meanwhile said that the typhoon wiped out P26.7 billion worth of crops.
“However, these could be partly offset by the downward adjustment in Meralco power rates,” the BSP added.
Manila Electric Company (Meralco) announced that overall electricity rates declined by P0.1458 per kilowatt hour (kWh) to P10.0732 per kWh this month, or a P29 cut in households’ bill consuming about 200 kWh.
“Looking ahead, the BSP will continue to remain on guard to evolving inflationary conditions to ensure that the monetary policy stance remains consistent with our price stability mandate,” the statement read.
The central bank has so far raised interest rates by 150 basis points since May.
The BSP said on Thursday that inflation may average 5.2% this year and 4.3% in 2019, well above the 2-4% target band. It also sees inflation to average at 3.2% in 2020.
Meanwhile, the Department of Finance (DoF) said inflation may have already peaked, estimating inflation rate at 6.4%, steady from the previous month.
“In September, month-on-month (MOM) price increase decelerated from 0.9% in August to 0.6%. September year-on-year (YOY) inflation is seen at 6.4%, unchanged from August,” the DoF said in its economic bulletin on Friday.
It noted price increases in food continue to push up headline inflation, but concurred with the BSP that the lower power rates could minimize the impact.
“Price increases in food items are the main drivers of inflation. The decline in power rates, however, moderated the inflationary pressure from non-food items,” the Finance department said.
“Strong BSP monetary action backed by two successive 50 bp policy rate hikes and the President’s support to administrative measures proposed by the Economic Development Cluster to remove non-tariff barriers on major food items will moderate food inflation in the short run. Policy reforms including rice tariffication and budget support for agricultural productivity programs will stem similar inflation episodes in the future,” it said.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday issued administrative orders to boost food supply and ease its distribution, such as lifting non-tariff trade barriers, cutting red tape in importation, setting up of public outlets and cold storage facilities, and the tight monitoring of market prices.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said in a statement on Friday that Mr. Duterte’s proclamation of a state of calamity in Ompong-affected areas should help manage inflation.
“We are getting ready to respond to the possible impact of the calamity on our macroeconomic targets. The declaration of a State of Calamity in the affected areas is one measure that will enable the government to use contingent credit lines and mitigate rising inflation,” he said.
Mr. Duterte signed on Thursday Proclamation Number 593 s. 2018, declaring a State of Calamity in Regions I, II, III and the Cordillera Administrative Region, which enables price control measures, unlocking funds for recovery and rehabilitation efforts, delivery of basic needs and services. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

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