Table A. Year-on-Year Inflation Rates, All Items
In percent
(2018=100)

Figure 1. Inflation Rates in CAR, All Items
(2018=100)

_{Source: Retail Price Survey of Commodities for the Generation of Consumer Price Index, Philippine Statistics Authority}

Figure 2. Inflation Rates in Benguet, All Items
(2018=100)

_{Source: Retail Price Survey of Commodities for the Generation of Consumer Price Index, Philippine Statistics Authority}

Table B. Year-on-Year Inflation Rates in Benguet
By Commodity Groups
In percent
(2018=100)

Benguet

Following the trend of the inflation at the national and regional level, inflation in Benguet for the bottom 30% income households further increased to 6.2 percent in April 2024, from 5.6 percent in March 2024. In April 2023, inflation was lower at 4.7 percent. (Table B and Figure 2)

The main driver in the uptrend of inflation for this group in April 2024 was housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at 5.9 percent, from 3.9 percent in the previous month. This was followed by food and non-alcoholic beverages  at 5.6 percent from 5.0 percent, and transport at 16.3 percent, from the 15.6 percent in the previous month.  Moreover, the following also increased during the month:

On the contrary, decreases were observed in the index of the following:
a.    Alcoholic beverages and tobacco Health, 4.0 percent from 6.1 percent;
b.    Clothing and footwear, -0.6 percent from 0.8 percent; 
c.    Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, 1.5 percent and 2.0 percent; 
d.    Health, 8.5 percent from 8.8 percent;
e.    Recreation, sport and culture, 4.7 percent from 5.9 percent;
f.    Restaurants and accommodation services, 7.3 percent from 9.7 percent; and
g.    Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services, 1.4 percent from 1.7 percent.

Meanwhile, no change recorded for the rest of the commodity groups.
Food Inflation
Food inflation for the bottom 30% income households at the provincial level moved at a faster pace of 5.7 percent in April 2024 from 5.1 percent in the previous month. In April 2023, its annual increase was observed at 7.3 percent. 
Main Drivers to the Upward Trend of the Food Inflation
The uptrend in the food inflation was mainly due to the increase in vegetable, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses at 8.8 percent from 3.9 percent, cereals and cereal products at 12.8 percent from 11.9 percent, and sugar, confectionery and desserts at -3.4 percent from -6.0 percent. Increases were also recorded for fish and other seafood at 1.6 percent from 1.3 percent, and oils and fats at -8.7 percent from -9.1 percent.

On the contrary, decreases were observed in the index of the following:
a.    Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, -1.2 percent from -0.2 percent;
b.    Milk, other dairy products and eggs, 3.0 percent from 4.6 percent; 
c.    Fruits and Nuts, -3.2 percent from 1.9 percent; and
d.    Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c, 4.9 percent from 5.0 percent.

Note: CPIs and inflation rates by region, province and selected city are posted at the PSA website (https://openstat.psa.gov.ph/).

IMELDA L. BUYUCCAN (SGD)
Chief Statistical Specialist

/SMBP