Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Ralph Recto on Tuesday said the government will ensure that the slowdown in inflation will be felt by all Filipinos.

“Kahit pa patuloy na bumababa ang inflation, hindi po kami magiging kampante. Patuloy po ang aksyon ng gobyerno —hindi lang para manatili itong mababa, kundi para siguraduhin na mararamdaman ito ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino (Despite the continued drop in inflation, we will not be complacent. The government will continue taking action —not just to keep it low, but to ensure that it will be felt by every Filipino family),” Recto said in a statement.

Inflation fell to 1.4 percent in April this year, the lowest since November 2019, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

“This lower-than-expected inflation rate for the month also provides more room for the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) to further cut policy interest rates to help us further boost the spending power of Filipinos, drive in more investments, and grow the economy, especially amid rising global uncertainties,” Recto said.

Except for the National Capital Region (NCR), all regions had lower inflation in April 2025 compared to the previous month, PSA data showed.

Inflation in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Cagayan Valley dropped to 2 percent, while all other regions fell below the government’s target range.

“We have been closely monitoring the situation and are aware of the upward price pressures mainly from meat, restaurant services, electricity, and rentals. In addition to paying attention to external developments, bringing down the prices for these items will be our primary focus moving forward,” Recto said.

The DOF chief said the government continues to implement a whole-of-government approach to maintain price stability and ensure the availability of affordable food in the local market, as well as address potential non-food inflation drivers.

These include stricter enforcement of pork price ceilings amid African swine fever (ASF)–related supply issues, higher maximum volume of importation of fish, the continued rollout of the ASF vaccines, and a pilot program to distribute pork through Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) to reduce retail prices and logistics costs.

The government also continues to implement maximum retail price of imported rice at PHP45 per kilogram in NCR, while the PHP20/kg. rice program will be launched after the election aid distribution ban.

Recto said the government also continues to support initiatives mitigating elevated energy prices, encouraging renewable energy, and promoting cost-effective sources of energy. (PNA)