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 for the bottom 30% income household decreased to 2.0 percent in February 2025 from 3.1 percent in the previous month. In February 2024, the inflation rate was higher at 4.2 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 the annual increment of food and non-alcoholic beverages at 1.6 percent from 3.0 percent in the previous month. Also contributing to the downward trend were housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels with 3.8 percent from 5.3 percent, and personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services with 2.3 percent from 2.5 percent.

Lower annual increments were also noted in the index of the following commodity groups during the month:
a.    Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, 1.7 percent from 2.0 percent; and
b.    Clothing and footwear, 0.3 percent from 0.4 percent.
On the contrary, the following commodity groups exhibited a higher annual increase during the month:
a.    Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 7.3 percent from 6.5 percent; and
b.    Health, 3.9 percent from 3.7 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.    Alcoholic beverages and tobacco.

Food Inflation

Food inflation at the provincial level for the bottom 30% income household decreased to 1.6 percent in February 2025 from 3.0 percent in the previous month. In February 2024, food inflation was higher at 2.5 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 with 0.3 percent from 2.9 percent in the previous month. This was followed by vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses with 1.8 percent from 9.8 percent, and ready-made food and other food products n.e.c. with 1.7 percent from 2.2 percent. 

In contrast, the following commodity groups registered higher inflation rates during the month:
a.    Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, 2.6 percent from 1.8 percent; 
b.    Fish and other seafood, 5.2 percent from 2.8 percent;
c.    Milk, other dairy products and eggs, 1.6 percent from 0.5 percent;
d.    Oils and fats, -1.3 percent from -1.9 percent;
e.    Fruits and nuts, 1.3 percent from -2.6 percent; and
f.    Sugar, confectionery, and desserts, 1.4 percent from -0.8 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