Marcos: Rising prices remain biggest problem of Filipinos

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said Friday the rising prices of commodities remain the biggest problem of Filipinos as he stressed the need to open more Kadiwa stalls to help consumers as well as local and small businesses.

"Alam naman natin sa kasalukuyan 'yan ang pinakamabigat na problemang hinaharap nating lahat at pataas nang pataas ang presyo ng bilihin," Marcos said during the launch of Kadiwa ng Pangulo in Limay, Bataan

"Naging problema ito dahil tayo ay...umaasa na tayo masyado, bago noong pandemiya, umaasa na tayo masyado sa importation... napabayaan natin ang agrikultura kaya mababa ang ani ng ating mga magsasaka," he added.

(We all know that at present that's the biggest problem our country is facing and the price of commodities continue to increase. This became a problem because since then, we have been dependent on importation, the agriculture sector was neglected that's why farmers have lesser crops.)

"Bukod sa ating pagdala ng mga bilihin na mas naipagbibili ng mura ay nabibigyan din natin ng pagkakataon ang ating mga local na negosyante na gumagawa na may sariling produkto," Marcos added.

(Aside from cheaper products, we also allow our local businessmen to create their own products.)

The President earlier said there are more than 500 Kadiwa stalls across the country catering to the basic needs of consumers at a cheaper price.

Marcos said he already instructed the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to add more Kadiwa stalls across the Philippines.

During the holiday season last year, the Marcos administration started a substantial number of Kadiwa stores and outlets all over the country as part of its measures to ensure food security and help consumers from rising prices.

In a separate event, Marcos distributed government assistance to some beneficiaries to assist them to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Asahan ninyo po na ang inyong pamahalaan, hindi kayo nakakalimutan basta't pagkasabi ninyo na kayo ay nangangailangan ay tuloy tuloy pa rin po ang aming ibibigay na tulong," Marcos said.

(Rest assured that the government will not forget you... just state your needs and we will continue to provide assistance.)—AOL, GMA Integrated News