Inflation rate in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) grew by 5.0 percent in September 2023 due to higher prices of Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages that contributed 85.8 percent share to the uptrend of inflation. The commodity group includes rice, tomatoes, and chicken as major contributor. Housing, Water, and Electricity that includes LPG, wood fuel, and services for maintenance shared 6.4 percent; and Transport that includes gasoline and diesel contributed 4.7 percent share to the uptrend of inflation. 

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) - CAR Chief Statistical Specialist Aldrin Federico R. Bahit, Jr. reported Thursday that higher inflation rates were observed in the following commodity groups in September 2023 compared to the previous month: Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages with 11.8 percent from 8.9 percent; Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance with 4.2 percent from 3.9 percent; Education Services with 1.5 percent from 0.9 percent; Transport with 0.4 percent from      -0.2 percent, Information and Communication with 0.3 percent from 0.1 percent; Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels with -0.6 percent from -0.9 percent; and Personal Care, and Miscellaneous Goods and Services with 3.6 percent from 3.1 percent.

Ifugao had the highest inflation rate among the six provinces and one Highly Urbanized City (HUC) in CAR with 8.3 percent while Mountain Province had the lowest with 2.8 percent. The Purchasing Power of the Peso in CAR from base year 2018 is currently at 0.81 centavos in September 2023.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – CAR Chief Trade and Industry Development Specialist Jeremias Mario D. Agpes discussed the Consumer Welfare Month, Price Act and the types of price control in relevance to consumer behavior and the price increase of commodities. 

The online dissemination of the September 2023 Cordillera Inflation Report was conducted last 26 October 2023 via Zoom. This was participated by Regional Line Agencies (RLAs), Local Government Units (LGUs), academe, and the media.

For more information and other inquiries about the Consumer Price Index and Inflation Rates, you may contact us at email address rssocarsocd@psa.gov.ph or phone number (074) 442-7449.

(SGD)
VILLAFE P. ALIBUYOG
Regional Director