With food and fuel prices rising, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered the finance department, central bank and the National Economic Development Authority to give a briefing.

In his opening speech at his first Cabinet meeting in the Palace Tuesday, Marcos said:” I think we can all understand that the most important area that we have to deal with is the economy.”

The Philippine Statistics Authority announced earlier that June inflation rose to 6.1 percent from 5.4 percent in May.

Marcos, who is also agriculture secretary, met with senior officials of the department Monday. He warned of an impending food crisis,  ordered production of rice and corn be increased and sold at affordable prices.

Marcos said policies spelled out by his economic team would serve as policy direction for other cabinet members. DMS