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

Figure 1. Headline Inflation Rates in Baguio City, All Items
(2018=100)

Table B. Year-on-Year Inflation in Baguio City, By Commodity Groups
In percent
(2018=100)

Table C. Year-on-Year Food Inflation in Baguio City
In percent
(2018=100)

Baguio City

Headline Inflation

The headline inflation or overall inflation of the province for the bottom 30% income household increased to 4.6 percent in December 2024 from 3.1 percent in November 2024. In December 2023, the inflation rate was 2.7 percent. (Figure 1, and Tables A and B)

Main Drivers to the Upward Trend of the Headline Inflation

The uptrend in the overall inflation in December 2024 was primarily brought about by food and non-alcoholic beverages with 5.4 percent from 2.1 percent in the previous month. Also contributing to the uptrend were transport with 1.6 percent from 1.2 percent, and personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services with 2.9 percent from 2.6 percent. 
Higher annual increments were also noted on the following:

a.    Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, 3.3 percent from 3.1 percent;
b.    Health, 3.4 percent from 3.2 percent; and
c.    Recreation, sport and culture, 0.4 percent from 0.2 percent.
On the contrary, the index of the following exhibited a lower annual increase during the month:
a.    Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 3.9 percent from 4.0 percent; and
b.    Information and communication, -0.1 percent from 0.0 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 December 2024 overall inflation were the following:
a.    Food and non-alcoholic beverages;
b.    Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; and
c.    Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services.

Food Inflation

Food inflation at the provincial level for the bottom 30% income household increased to 5.5 percent in December 2024 from 1.9 percent in the previous month. In December 2023, food inflation was 4.8 percent. (Table C)

Main Drivers to the Upward Trend of Food Inflation

The acceleration of food inflation in December 2024 was primarily brought about by vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses with 4.3 percent from -11.1 percent in the previous month. This was followed by cereals and cereal products with 9.0 percent from 8.0 percent, and fish and other seafood with -0.6 percent and -3.4 percent. 
Moreover, higher inflation rate during the month were also noted on the following:
a.    Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, 4.8 percent from 3.8 percent;
b.    Oils and fats, 2.1 percent from 1.0 percent;
c.    Fruits and nuts, 11.7 percent from 5.2 percent; and
d.    Sugar, confectionery and desserts, 0.1 percent from -0.4 percent.
In contrast, ready-made food and other food products decreased from 4.7 percent to 4.4 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.    Cereals and cereal products;
b.    Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals; and
c.    Fruits and nuts.

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