Fisherfolk group blames Marcos admin for 'economic crisis'

A fisherfolk group on Thursday blamed the Marcos administration for the "continued economic crisis" in the country, citing the latest inflation numbers.

"The continued economic crisis, particularly in the agriculture and fisheries sectors, is a manifestation of the Marcos administration’s incompetence and negligence," the group PAMALAKAYA said in a statement.

"Marcos has been President for more than half a year but he has not yet taken concrete steps to address the soaring prices of basic commodities and social services," it added.

The group cited the recorded 8.7% inflation rate in January of this year, which was the fastest since the 9.1% in November 2008, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Citing the PSA, PAMALAKAYA said vegetable products, particularly onions, were among the top contributors to January inflation, accounting for 1.1%.

"Being a concurrent agriculture secretary, President Marcos Jr. is accountable for the unabated increase of prices of agri-fishery commodities," the group said.

According to PAMALAKAYA, the President failed to listen to concrete proposals of groups in addressing these economic woes, including the challenges in the agricultural sector.

It also called on Marcos to appoint a "new, more capable" Agriculture secretary.

GMA News Online already reached the Presidential Communications Office for comment regarding the points raised by PAMALAKAYA, but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

Marcos earlier said the inflation rate is expected to go down after the expected lowering of prices of fuel and agricultural products. He said the efforts implemented by his administration to address these concerns "have not yet gone through the system."

When it comes to appointing a DA chief, Marcos had said there were things that he could do as President that a secretary might take time accomplishing.

Marcos had said a secretary may still listen to appeals when he or she decides on how to move forward. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA Integrated News