The living conditions of almost 2 million Filipinos will worsen as spiraling rising prices of goods sent the country’s inflation rate to 7.2% in April. This sharp increase from 2.4% in February placed the Philippines second highest in Asia in inflation, next only to Laos.

Inflation was mainly driven by higher prices of food, transportation, and utilities. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), rice prices rice rose by 13.7% while transportation costs increased by 21.4% in just one month. Food price increases consequently more than doubled, from 2.7% in March to 6.1% in April. Housing and utility charges, including electricity and water, also rose faster by 8.2%.

The price hikes hit the poorest 30% of the population the hardest with inflation reaching 8.5% among their ranks.

IBON Foundation estimated 1.7 million to 2 million Filipinos in the “borderline” or lower middle class face the risk of sinking into poverty because of inadequate government response. The group said this social stratum is now in a precarious position because it receives no assistance from the state.

The group said the Marcos regime’s current measures are limited and publicity stunts. About 14 million families consider themselves poor but only 1.5 million households receive its limited aid. Around 21 million poor and vulnerable families are forced into odd jobs to survive.

IBON said there are no measures to bring down food and commodity prices. Based on Department of Agriculture (DA) data, the prices of rice, vegetables, and fish rose by ₱5 to ₱80 per kilo, while chicken and pork remain expensive at more than ₱190 and ₱355.

Utility charges also went up amid deregulation and the comprador bourgeois corporations’ control over basic service providers. Water rates in Metro Manila rose by an average of ₱2 per cubic meter since last year. Meralco electricity charges also rose by about ₱270 for families consuming 200 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month.

To provide quick relief, IBON is calling for the removal of excise tax and VAT on petroleum products. The group estimates that removing oil excise tax will help the poorest half of Filipino families to save ₱450 to ₱550 a month. IBON emphasized that this is the fastest way to help the majority.