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Guinigundo: Time for BSP to Tighten Monetary Policy | Storycon

Guinigundo’s commentary centers on the urgent need for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to tighten monetary policy as inflationary pressures shift from supply‑side shocks to emerging demand‑side dynamics. He argues that recent BSP meetings, which left rates unchanged, missed an opportunity to pre‑empt market surprise, especially given a new forecast that could push inflation above 4‑5% by April. He stresses that any tax or excise relief must be narrowly timed, well‑targeted, and directed at sectors most hit by fuel and fertilizer price spikes—namely transport, farmers and fishermen. At the same time, he warns that a hands‑off foreign‑exchange stance could allow the peso to breach the psychologically sensitive 60‑level, fuelling speculation, import‑price hikes and further inflation expectations. The governor’s supply‑side rebuttal is countered with data showing core inflation now exceeding headline inflation, indicating demand pressures are already building. Guinigundo cites concrete figures: the incremental capital‑output ratio has risen, meaning more capital is needed per unit of output; investment fell sharply from 7.7 % of GDP to roughly 2.1 %; and the Philippines ranks at the bottom of regional assessments in math, science and reading. These trends signal a productivity slump and a human‑capital deficit that threaten long‑term growth. The implication is clear: the BSP must consider rate hikes and modest FX interventions to anchor expectations, while policymakers should deploy time‑bound, sector‑specific tax relief and accelerate reforms that boost productivity, infrastructure spending, and education. Without such coordinated action, inflation could become entrenched and growth prospects will continue to erode.