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 2.2 percent in February 2025 from 3.0 percent in January 2025. In February 2024, the inflation rate was higher at 3.5 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 February 2025 was primarily brought about by food and non-alcoholic beverages at 1.8 percent from 3.0 percent in the previous month. Also contributing to the downward trend was housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels with an annual increase of 4.4 percent during the month from a 5.5 percent annual in the previous month, and transport with 0.3 percent from 0.5 percent.

Lower annual increments were also noted in the indices of the following commodity groups during the month: 
a.    Health, 2.8 percent from 3.1 percent;
b.    Clothing and footwear, 0.6 percent from 0.9 percent; 
c.    Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services, 3.5 percent from 3.8 percent; and
d.    Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 4.6 percent from 5.1 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 February 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 1.8 percent in February 2025 from 3.0 percent in the previous month. In February 2024, food inflation was lower at 1.3 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 vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses with 2.7 percent from 11.7 percent in the previous month. This was followed cereals and cereal products with -0.6 percent from 2.2 percent, and ready-made food and other food products n.e.c. with 1.7 percent from 2.1 percent.

In contrast, the following commodity groups registered higher inflation rates during the month:
a.    Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, 2.9 percent from 2.1 percent;
b.    Fish and other seafood, 5.7 percent from 3.9 percent; 
c.    Milk, other dairy products and eggs, 1.4 percent from 0.5 percent;
d.    Oils and fats, -0.9 percent from -1.3 percent;
e.    Fruits and nuts, 1.7 percent from -2.0 percent; and
f.    Sugar, confectionery and desserts, 1.6 percent from -0.4 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.    Fish and other seafood 
b.    Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals; and 
c.    Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses.

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