Monday, September 22, 2008 (Philippines)

A young female mendicant shares "street food and drinks" with her younger brother in Angeles City. The two are among the growing number of beggars in urban and commercialized areas of Pampanga, which now include "Badjaos" from Mindanao. (Sun.Star Pampanga photo) CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- With only 95 days before Christmas, the Central Luzon office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is advising consumers in the region to anticipate the rise in the prices of basic and prime commodities on and before the Yuletide season. The inflation rate that affects the prices of goods was registered at a 17-year record high of 12.5 percent in Metro Manila and 14.2 percent in areas outside the National Capital Region. What's your take on the Mindanao crisis? Discuss views with other readers [full story]