PSA on TikTok influencers producing content on inflation: Study data thoroughly

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Thursday advised TikTok influencers who produce content on inflation to thoroughly study official government data.

At a press briefing, PSA chief and National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said he is "aware" of these TikTok influencers.

X (formerly Twitter) user JP Tanyag, a data analyst, has compiled links and screenshots of TikTok influencers who discussed inflation, most of it about the decline of inflation rate for six straight months.

While inflation really declined for six consecutive months or from February to July, it snapped its deceleration trend in August as it clocked in at 5.3%, faster than the 4.7% rate in July.

In September, inflation — or the rate of increase in the prices of consumer goods and services — further quickened to 6.1%, with rice being the main culprit.

While the TikTok influencers tried to explain what inflation is and how it impacts the daily lives of Filipinos, netizens were quick to notice errors, such as how some influencers mispronounced inflation as “inflammation” or “infliation.”

Sought for comment about influencers discussing inflation on social media platforms, Mapa said, “Ang Philippine Statistics Authority ay nakikiusap na basahin at araling mabuti ang aming report tungkol sa inflation sa bansa.”

(The Philippine Statistics Authority is appealing to thoroughly read and study our report about inflation in the country.)

Mapa went on to say that those producing content about inflation should start with reading the “FAQs” or frequently asked questions, accessible on the PSA’s website, to have a thorough understanding of the subject.

“Ang isyu ng inflation ay isang mahalagang usapin at dapat ito ay araling mabuti. Sabi ko nga kanina maraming factors that would affect the increase, decrease of inflation rate kasi nga maraming mga commodity,” the PSA chief said.

(The issue of inflation is an important subject and it should be studied carefully. As I've said, there are a lot of factors at play that would affect the increase or decrease of inflation rate because there are a lot of commodities.) —KBK, GMA Integrated News