Amid the rising food prices, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and other crisis situations in the country, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has urged agencies in the Executive Department to give all the assistance they can provide to poor and affected Filipinos.

“I am urging the executive to do all possible help. Sa DOLE, sa kanilang TUPAD program para sa mga nawalan ng trabaho at assistance to OFWs (To the Department of Labor and Employment, in its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged / Displaced Workers for those who lost their jobs, and assistance to OFWs)," Go said as he distributed assistance to fisherfolks in Samal, Davao del Norte.

Go also appealed for assistance to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises so they can recover from the economic recession of 2020, one of the worst in the country’s history.

"Kaya nakikiusap po ako sa gobyerno, kung ano po ang pwede nating mai-extend, ibigay na natin sa tao ang tulong. Kung anong ayuda ang pwede, anong trabaho ang pwede, anong maitutulong natin sa small and medium-sized enterprises natin na negosyo para makabangon sila at para makapagbigay din sila ng trabaho dito sa mga ordinaryong Pilipino (This is why I am appealing to the government, whatever help we can extend, let’s give it now to the people. Whatever assistance, jobs, and businesses we can offer to help our small and medium-sized enterprises so they can rise back and also provide jobs to the ordinary Filipinos)," he said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) earlier the rate of price increases in the country accelerated for the fourth consecutive month in January 2021 to 4.2 percent, primarily fueled by the rising prices of some meat products and vegetables, as well as fuel prices.

This is the highest reported increase in inflation after 3.8 percent in February 2019.

The inflation print in January exceeded the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP’s) projection of 3.3 to 4.1 percent range for the month. Monetary authorities also said that it is possible for the inflation rate to breach the 2-4 percent inflation target in the coming months, but they maintain their projected rate to an average of 3.2 percent in 2021.

The government set a 60-day price ceiling on pork and chicken in Metro Manila, which started last February 8.     

For his part, Go said that he would continue to go around the country to aid vulnerable sectors and "give them a glimmer of hope amid the country’s current situation."