Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said the Iloilo City Government is doing its best to help residents cope with the rising prices of basic goods and services.
Inflation in the city rose to 8.9 percent in July from 7.3 percent in June, data from the Philippine Statistics Office (PSA-6) showed.
“We will try to do our best. Taas kita sa national average nga 6.4 percent. We really have to work double time,” Treñas said in a press conference.
According to the mayor, he has been regularly holding meetings some department heads to discuss programs and projects that can help residents.
Treñas mentioned the implementation of the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) cash-for-work program and the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) TUPAD or Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers.
TUPAD is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers, for a minimum period of 10 days, but not to exceed a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.
In Iloilo City, beneficiaries render community works such as dredging or declogging the drainage, and joining beautification activities, among others.
The city government is also holding feeding programs and skills trainings.
“Ma-meet man ko with Congresswoman Jjam Baronda kay may mga programs pa gid sya nga pwde man namon ma accept man para sige-sige aton bulig sa mga tao nga nagakinahanglan sang aton bulig,” said Treñas.
The city’s latest inflation rate was the highest in Western Visayas. It even exceeded the regional average of 6.9 percent and the national average of 6.4 percent.IMT
