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

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 further decreased to 3.2 percent in March 2025 from 3.4 percent in February 2025. In March 2024, the inflation rate was 3.6 percent. (Figure 1, and Tables A and B)

Main Drivers to the Downward Trend 

The downtrend in the overall inflation in March 2025 was primarily brought about by the lower annual increment of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at 4.6 percent from 5.0 percent in the previous month. Also contributing to the downtrend was food and non-alcoholic beverages with 2.6 percent from 2.9 percent, and transport with 2.7 percent from 3.2 percent. 
Lower annual increments were also noted in the index of the following:

a.    Alcoholic beverage and tobacco, 2.9 percent from 3.1 percent;
b.    Health, 2.7 percent from 3.0 percent; and
c.    Restaurants and accommodation services, 4.8 percent from 5.8 percent.

On the contrary, the following exhibited higher annual increases during the month:
a.    Clothing and footwear, 1.2 percent from 1.0 percent;
b.    Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, 4.4 percent from 4.1 percent;
c.    Recreation, sport and culture, 0.9 percent from 0.7 percent; and
d.    Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services, 4.7 percent from 4.3 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 March 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 further decreased to 2.5 percent from 2.8 percent in the previous month. In March 2024, food inflation was higher at 5.5 percent. (Table C)

Main Drivers to the Downward Trend of Food Inflation

The deceleration of food inflation in March 2025 was primarily brought about by vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses with -0.8 percent from 4.7 percent. This was followed by cereals and cereal products, particularly rice with -1.7 percent from -0.1 percent, and fruits and nuts with 3.3 percent from 4.7 percent.
In contrast, higher inflation rates were noted on the rest of the food groups except for ready-made food and other food products which retained its previous rate at 3.2 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.    Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals;
b.    Fish and other seafood; 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