The Provincial Government of South Cotabato highlights the policies and programs implemented by Gov. Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. to ease the effects of the increasing inflation rate in the province during the press conference spearheaded by the South Cotabato Provincial Statistical Office.
The PGSC represented by Mr. Dennis D. Gasendo of the Provincial Planning and Development Office as one of the main discussants pointed out that with the increase of 7.3% in January this year vis a vis the 5.6 % in the past year, the implementation of the free hospitalization program and free education with other initiatives in health, social welfare, and infrastructure were aimed to ensure financial resiliency amidst drastic local inflation in some essential commodities.
The press conference aims to disseminate the highlights and trends of the South Cotabato Inflation Rate for January 2023 to all stakeholders within the province. The inflation rate mentioned is derived from the results of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) Survey which is conducted twice a month to monitor the movement of prices of goods and services commonly purchased by South Cotabato households as measured by the CPI.
Gasendo also emphasized the importance of the recent output of the South Cotabato Provincial Statistical Office by specifically stressing the fact that updated statistical data for the inflation rate will allow the provincial government to measure the effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of its policies and programs.
Present during the activity was Atty. Maqtahar L. Manulon, CESO V, Regional Director of PSA-RSSO XII, Provincial Chief Statistical Specialist Mr. Jilmar F. Garcia, representatives from the municipal governments, the business, education, and other sectors, and others. Ms. Rhealiza Evasco, Agriculturist II, and Ms. Marichelle Miole, Agriculturist I, both of them are from the South Cotabato Office of the Provincial Agriculturist were also among the discussants during the activity.