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 0.9 percent in July 2025 from 1.0 percent in the previous month. In July 2024, the inflation rate was 6.0 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 July 2025 was primarily brought about by the annual increment of food and non-alcoholic beverages at -0.2 percent from 0.2 percent in the previous month. Also contributing to the downward trend was health with 3.1 percent from 3.3 percent.
On the contrary, the following commodity groups exhibited higher annual increase during the month:

a.    Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, 2.8 percent from 2.6 percent; 
b.    Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, 2.7 percent from 2.6 percent;
c.    Transport, -0.8 percent from -0.9 percent; and
d.    Recreation, sport and culture, 1.8 percent from 1.7 percent.

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 July 2025 overall inflation were the following:
a.    Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; 
b.    Alcoholic beverages and tobacco; and
c.    Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services.

Food Inflation

Food inflation at the provincial level for the bottom 30% income household decreased to -0.5 percent in July 2025 from 0.0 percent in the previous month. In July 2024, food inflation was higher at 5.1 percent. (Table C)
Main Drivers to the Downward Trend of Food Inflation
The deceleration of food inflation in July 2025 was primarily brought about by cereals and cereal products, particularly rice with -4.0 percent from -2.7 percent in the previous month. This was followed by meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals with 7.1 percent from 9.0 percent, and ready-made food and other food products n.e.c. with 1.4 percent from 2.3 percent. 

In contrast, the following commodity groups registered higher inflation rates during the month:
a.    Fish and other seafood, 4.8 percent from 2.0 percent; 
b.    Milk, other dairy products and eggs, 2.2 percent from 1.5 percent;
c.    Oils and fats, 2.3 percent from 1.7 percent; and
d.    Fruits and nuts, 10.3 percent from 9.8 percent.

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

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.    Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses;
b.    Cereals and cereal products; and
c.    Sugar, confectionery and desserts.

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