MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government on Saturday, January 14, downplayed its low performance rating on controlling inflation as reported by survey firm Pulse Asia.

Referring to inflation, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said over state-run dzRB: “It’s not something that we can unilaterally control. It’s something that is also dependent on the worldwide economic conditions.”

Abella made these remarks after Pulse Asia said the Duterte administration failed to get a majority approval score on the issue of inflation.

Only 44% of respondents approved of the government’s performance on controlling inflation, the Pulse Asia survey showed.

The survey added that 34% of Filipinos consider it an urgent concern.

Full-year inflation for 2016 settled at 1.8%, below the government’s target range of 2% to 4%.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) earlier said higher inflation in 2017 is likely to hurt consumer spending, but would not have a significant impact on the Philippines’ economic growth.

On the other hand, the Duterte administration got majority approval ratings in 11 out of 12 issues. 

It got a rating of 84%, for instance, on fighting crime.

Abella pointed out on Saturday that Filipinos give the Duterte administration a high “approval rate” overall.

“It may not be ideal at this stage, but then nothing is ideal right now in the world of economic, socio-political conditions,” Duterte’s spokesman said. – Rappler.com