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

Figure 1. Inflation Rates in CAR, All Items
(2018=100)

_{Source: Retail Price Survey of Commodities for the Generation of Consumer Price Index, Philippine Statistics Authority}

Figure 2. Inflation Rates in Benguet, All Items
(2018=100)

_{Source: Retail Price Survey of Commodities for the Generation of Consumer Price Index, Philippine Statistics Authority}

Table B. Year-on-Year Inflation Rates in Benguet
By Commodity Groups
In percent
(2018=100)

1. Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)

Inflation in the region for all income households increased to 4.8 percent in July, from the 4.6 percent in June 2024. In July 2023, inflation was lower at 2.9 percent. (Figure 1)

The main contributor the overall inflation for this income group in July 2024 was the heavily-weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 6.5 percent. This was followed by housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels which posted 2.8 percent during the month, and transport which registered 6.5 percent.

Higher annual increments were also noted in the indices of the following:
a.    Recreation, sports and culture, 1.8 percent from 1.4 percent; 
b.    Education services, 8.3 percent from 8.2 percent;
c.    Restaurants and accommodation services; 4.6 percent from 4.2 percent; and
d.    Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services, 3.5 percent from 3.2 percent.

Only     food and non-alcoholic beverages, and alcoholic beverages and tobacco decreased this month at 6.5 and 2.9 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, the indices of the rest of the commodity groups retained their respective previous month’s annual rates. 

Food Inflation

Food inflation for all income households at the regional level further decreased to 6.7 percent from the 6.9 percent in the previous month. In July 2023, its annual increase was observed at 7.3 percent. 

The top 3 contributor to the downtrend in the food inflation were the following:
a.    Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses, 2.5 percent from 6.5 percent;
b.    Cereals and cereal products, 16.8 percent from 17.2 percent; and
c.    Fish and other seafood, 1.8 percent from 2.0 percent.

2. Benguet

Contrary to the trend of the inflation at the regional level, inflation in Benguet decreased to 4.9 percent in July 2024, from 4.9 percent in June 2024. In July 2023, inflation was lower at 3.3 percent.

The main contributor of inflation for all income households in July 2024 was transport at 14.3 percent, from 14.2 percent in the previous month. This was followed by food and non-alcoholic beverages at 3.4 percent from 4.2 percent, and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at 3.7 percent, from the 3.9 percent in the previous month.

Decreases were also observed in the index of the following:
a.    Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 3.6 percent from 4.0 percent; 
b.    Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, 4.0 percent from 4.2 percent; and
c.    Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services, 2.6 percent from 2.8 percent.
Health, transport and recreation, sport and cultureincreased for this month at 9.5, 14.3 and 1.0percent, respectively. Meanwhile, the indices of the rest of the commodity groups retained their respective previous month’s annual rates. 

Food Inflation

Food inflation for all income households at the provincial level moved at a lower pace of 3.4 percent in July 2024 from 4.3 percent in the previous month. In July 2023, its annual increase was observed at 8.8 percent. 

The top 3 contributor to the downtrend in the food inflation were the following:
a.    Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses, -2.2 percent from 7.3 percent;
b.    Fish and other seafood, 1.5 percent from 2.3 percent; and
c.    Fruits and nuts, -2.6 percent from -1.8 percent.

Increases were also observed in the index of the following:
a.    Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, 1.0 from -1.0 percent; and
b.    Oils and fats, -2.3 percent from -3.6 percent.

The rest of the food groups decreased their indices.
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