STATEMENT OF SENATOR WIN GATCHALIAN ON
OCTOBER HEADLINE INFLATION

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the country's headline inflation remains benign in October, as prices of goods continue to slide at a desirable pace of 0.8% from 0.9% in the previous month. The October inflation rate, which is a 3-year low, is within our internal expectation and the expectation of economists.

As the country's inflation rate remains favorable, the BSP may resume easing its monetary policy to prop up the economy and help achieve its GDP target of 6% to 7% for this year.

"Dahil sa mababang inflation maraming negosyante, malaki man o maliit, ang mae-engganyong mamuhunan sa ating bansa sa kabila ng global economic slowdown. Kapag maraming mamumuhunan sa bansa, makakaasa tayong magkakaroon ng dagdag na trabaho at oportunidad para sa ating mga kababayan."