Biliranons have shown resilience and adaptability in the face of rising costs of essential commodities after the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) announced a spike in inflation from 4.9 percent in January to 5.2 percent in February this year.
Sonia Balidbid, a 53-year-old mother, faces each day with resilience and determination. She sells mangoes in front of a well-known fast food chain, earning just enough to provide for her family. She remains resourceful, purchasing dried fish and noodles to nourish her loved ones.
Julito Ebajan, a 50-year-old tricycle driver, also learned to be mindful of his expenses, buying just enough to sustain his family's needs, like a kilo of sardine.
He remains optimistic and resourceful, exploring alternative sources of income such as selling native chicken or running errands.
Sonia Balidbid is tallying her profit from selling mango in front of a popular food chain in town. As a mother and breadwinner, she's adjusting her daily expenses due to the rising cost of goods and services in Biliran province. (Photo: PIA Biliran)
According to Renavil V. Cueva, chief statistical specialist at the Philippine Statistics Authority in Biliran, food and non-alcoholic beverages, specifically cereal products, fruits and nuts, milk, and eggs, were the major contributors to inflation, along with oil, ready-made food, and other dairy products.
Cueva clarified that these data will serve as a good source and basis for crafting plans, programs, and policies and formulating development plans for local officials and policymakers in the province.
Hosannah E. Gomez, the planning and development officer of Biliran Province, mentioned that they are in the process of scrutinizing the root cause of inflation before taking any necessary actions or interventions to address it. (RSV, PIA Biliran)
