Table A. Year-on-Year Inflation Rates, All Items

In percent

(2018=100)

Figure 1. Headline Inflation Rates in Benguet, All Items

(2018=100)

Table B. Year-on-Year Inflation in Benguet, By Commodity Groups

In percent

(2018=100)

Table C. Year-on-Year Food Inflation in Benguet

In percent

(2018=100)

Benguet

Headline Inflation

The headline inflation or overall inflation of the province decreased to 1.8 percent in April 2025 from 1.9 percent in March 2025. In April 2024, the inflation rate was higher at 5.0 percent. (Figure 1, and Tables A and B)

Main Drivers to the Downward Trend of the Headline Inflation

The downward trend in the overall inflation in April 2025 was primarily brought about by transport at -1.0 percent from 0.1 percent in the previous month. Also contributing to the downward trend was food and non-alcoholic beverages with an annual increase of 1.2 percent during the month from a 1.1 percent annual in the previous month, and furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance with 1.3 percent from 1.5 percent.
Lower annual increments were also noted in the indices of the following commodity groups during the month: 
a.    Health, 2.3 percent from 2.4 percent; and
b.    Recreation, sport and culture, 1.1 percent from 1.2 percent.

On the contrary, the following commodity groups exhibited a higher annual increase during the month:

a.    Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 5.2 percent from 4.8 percent; and
b.    Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, 4.3 percent from 4.2 percent.

The indices of the rest of the commodity groups retained their respective previous month’s annual rates.

Main Contributors to the Headline Inflation

The top three commodity groups contributing to the April 2025 overall inflation were the following:

a.    Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; 
b.    Food and non-alcoholic beverages; and
c.    Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services.

Food Inflation
Food inflation at the provincial level decreased to 0.9 percent in April 2025 from 1.1 percent in the previous month. In April 2024, food inflation was higher at 4.3 percent. (Table C)

Main Drivers to the Downward Trend of Food Inflation
The deceleration of food inflation in April 2025 was primarily brought about by vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses with -8.2 percent from -3.0 percent in the previous month. This was followed by cereals and cereal products with -1.0 percent from -0.7 percent, and sugar, and confectionery and desserts with 0.1 percent from 1.5 percent.
In contrast, the following commodity groups registered higher inflation rates during the month:

a.    Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, 7.5 percent from 4.4 percent;
b.    Fish and other seafood, 3.0 percent from 2.4 percent;
c.    Milk, other dairy products and eggs, 1.8 percent from 1.7 percent;
d.    Oils and fats, 0.4 percent from -0.1 percent;
e.    Fruits and nuts, 5.5 percent from 3.5 percent; and
f.    Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c., 2.6 percent from 2.5 percent.

Main Contributors to the Food Inflation

The top three food groups in terms of contribution to the food inflation during the month were the following:
a.    Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals; 
b.    Fish and other seafood; and 
c.    Milk, other dairy products and eggs.

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

/DJPN