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 city decreased to 3.4 percent in February 2025 from 4.4 percent in January 2025. In February 2024, the inflation rate was 2.7 percent. (Figure 1, and Tables A and B)

Main Drivers to the Downward Trend 

The downtrend in the overall inflation in February 2025 was primarily brought about by the lower annual increment of food and non-alcoholic beverages at 2.9 percent from 5.1 percent in the previous month. Also contributing to the downtrend was housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels with 5.0 percent from 6.0 percent, and health with 3.0 percent from 4.3 percent. 

Lower annual increments were also noted in the index of the following:

a.    Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, 4.1 percent from 4.7 percent;
b.    Transport, 3.2 percent from 3.1 percent;
c.    Information and communication. 0.4 percent from 0.5 percent; and
d.    Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services, 4.3 percent from 4.4 percent.

On the contrary, the index of recreation, sport and culture, and restaurants and accommodation services exhibited a higher annual increase during the month with 0.7percent and 5.8 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, 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 February 2025 overall inflation were the following:
a.    Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; 
b.    Food and non-alcoholic beverages; and
c.    Transport.

Food Inflation

Food inflation at the city decreased to 2.8 percent from 5.1 percent in the previous month. In February 2024, food inflation was higher at 3.7 percent. (Table C)

Main Drivers to the Downward Trend of Food Inflation

The deceleration of food inflation in February 2025 was primarily brought about by cereals and cereal products, particularly rice, with 0.6 percent from 4.9 percent. This was followed by vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses with 4.7 percent from 14.6 percent, and fruits and nuts with 4.7 percent from 9.6 percent.

Moreover, lower inflation rate during the month were also noted on the index of ready-made food and other food products with 3.2 percent from 4.1 percent.
In contrast, higher inflation rates were noted on the rest of the food groups.

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.    Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses; 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