Inflation crisis brewing in the Philippines

[Rooster]

https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/there-s-an-inflation-crisis-brewing-in-the-philippines-1.547766

There's an inflation crisis brewing in the Philippines

By SIEGFRID ALEGADO AND CLAIRE JIAO | Bloomberg | Published: September 15, 2018

Filipinos queuing for hours to buy cheap rice from the government. Families eating fewer meals a day to save money. Locals venting their anger against President Rodrigo Duterte on social media.

These are the images and stories that have dominated media coverage in the Philippines after inflation soared to more than 6 percent in August, far higher than the rest of Asia.

Pressure started at the beginning of the year with higher oil prices and tax increases on fuel, sugary drinks and cigarettes, and quickly moved to rice, the nation's staple food, because of supply shortages. Now, everything from electronic gadgets to haircuts to T-shirts cost at least 10 percent more than a year ago, according to anecdotal evidence in Manila.

Alongside a more than 7 percent slump in the currency this year, consumers are hurting. A sentiment index contracted for the first time in more than two years, a worrying signal in a country where private consumption makes up about 70 percent of gross domestic product.

Consumers like Nica Aguilar, 30, are either switching to cheaper brands or changing daily routines to adapt. The energy compliance officer, who works in the Ortigas business district in Manila, said she now uses part of her lunch break to cut down on her parking bill after hourly fees rose by 25 percent. She leaves her office to re-park her car, taking advantage of a cheaper rate for the first four hours.

Duterte's government is now scrambling to get on top of the problem as mid-term elections loom next year. Import rules on rice and sugar will be eased, while the police have been roped in to check for overpricing. The central bank, which initially faced criticism for being too slow to act, has delivered 100 basis-points of interest-rate increases since May and pledged further strong action.

"Inflation is the most political of all economic risks because it can be felt immediately," said Gene Pilapil, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City. The Duterte administration is facing its first major economic test and could lose public support should prices go out of control, he said.

Two years into his six-year term, Duterte's popularity has so far been supported by a strong economy, rising wealth and a tough anti-drug and anti-crime stance. The most recent opinion poll showed his popularity may be waning.

"The 2019 elections were supposed to be a clear victory for the administration but with inflation rising, it could become interesting," said Pilapil.

Inflation accelerated to 6.4 percent in August, the fastest pace in nine years, with more pain in store as a super typhoon threatens farmlands in the Philippines just before the rice and corn harvest. Economic growth weakened to a three-year low of 6 percent last quarter, while the peso slumped to the lowest level since 2005 on Wednesday.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the police are inspecting warehouses, markets and grocery stores and arresting those who are raising prices unjustly. Officials also met with manufacturers to convince them not to increase prices yet and have considered further easing import rules for various staples such as rice, fish and sugar, he said.

"Inflation is being addressed and we have both monetary and non-monetary tools" to solve the problem, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said on Wednesday.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno rejected calls from some lawmakers and consumer groups to suspend the new taxes that took effect this year, saying a "structural reform can't be deserted for a transitory problem." The price spike should not be a cause for concern as inflation was even faster in previous administrations, he said.

"The 6.4 percent is nothing out of the ordinary," he said in an interview with Bloomberg TV's David Ingles on Thursday.

With sales contracting, some companies are agonizing between raising wages and retrenching staff or risking workers picketing and closing shop.

"Our workers are pushing for an increase. Prices are so bad now, they're threatening to strike," said Vincenzo Tagle, who helps run his family's car parts and repair company in Manila, employing 60 people.

Elsewhere in Southeast Asia, governments are taking stronger action to curb prices. In Indonesia, President Joko Widodo slapped controls on fuel costs and ordered additional imports of goods from salt to buffalo meat. In Vietnam, authorities are boosting subsidies on fuel and freezing electricity prices.

Philippine central bank Governor Nestor Espenilla has repeatedly said a broadening of price pressures to wages, transport costs and services would be a concern. He has flagged a rate hike could be on the cards at the Sept. 27 policy meeting.

The central bank "may even call an emergency policy meeting in the face of soaring inflation," Alex Holmes, Asia economist at Capital Economics Ltd. in London said in a note Wednesday.

"It's only appropriate to aggressively tighten policy," said Joey Cuyegkeng, a senior economist at ING Groep in Manila, who is forecasting a 50 basis-point increase this month. Strong rate action will anchor price expectations and support a weakening currency, he said.

[Dave Hounddriver]

4 minutes ago, Rooster said:

Now, everything from electronic gadgets to haircuts to T-shirts cost at least 10 percent more than a year ago, according to anecdotal evidence in Manila.

Alongside a more than 7 percent slump in the currency this year, consumers are hurting.

 

Allowing for some exaggeration in the anecdotal evidence, the cost has gone up equal and opposite to the currency going down.  Seems that is what happens when you import so much.  The problem I see is that the prices never seem to go back down when the currency improves its value.

[Snowy79]

Another issue that will bite the Philippines is the selling of it's infrastructure contracts to the Chinese and Koreans.  They will want paid back with interest. 

[Dave Hounddriver]

5 minutes ago, Snowy79 said:

Chinese and Koreans.  They will want paid back with interest

Just give them another island.  Philippines has loads of them.  I wonder if there are only 7,106 now that China has Spratleys?  Just kidding.  I know the 7,000+ is a made up number.

[fillipino_wannabe]

Could get out of control soon. Amazingly exports are down aswell despite the currency losing loads of value lol. 
http://www.psa.gov.ph/content/highlights-philippine-export-and-import-statistics-april-2018
https://psa.gov.ph/content/highlights-philippine-export-and-import-statistics-may-2018

[Dave Hounddriver]

8 minutes ago, fillipino_wannabe said:

Amazingly exports are down

That may have more to do with other countries creating protectionist business climates such that imports are less welcome.

[bastonjock]

I have experienced a price increase in construction materials ,cement has gone up quite a bit recently

[Jollygoodfellow]

Beer went up P10 a bottle where I drink. Don't they know it's a commodity that everyone needs? In there case they blamed increase in salary forced up prices. 

[Dave Hounddriver]

Just now, Jollygoodfellow said:

In there case they blamed increase in salary forced up prices

If I were you I'd take the increase out of their tip, now that you know they got a salary increase. 

[JDDavao II]

1 hour ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

In there case they blamed increase in salary forced up prices. 

 

Who wants to eat a stalk of salary when they're drinking?!