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 1.8 percent in March 2025 from 2.0 percent in the previous month. In March 2024, the inflation rate was higher at 5.6 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 March 2025 was primarily brought about by the annual increment of food and non-alcoholic beverages at 1.2 percent from 1.6 percent in the previous month. Also contributing to the downward trend were housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels with 3.6 percent from 3.8 percent, and and transport with -0.1 percent from 0.2 percent.
Lower annual increments were also noted in the index of the following commodity groups during the month:

a.    Health, 3.2 percent from 3.9 percent;
b.    Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 6.4 percent from 7.3 percent; and
c.    Restaurants and accommodation services, 2.2 percent from 2.7 percent.
On the contrary, the following commodity groups exhibited a higher annual increase during the month:

a.    Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, 2.5 percent from 1.7 percent; 
b.    Recreation, sport and culture, 1.6 percent from 1.4 percent; and
c.    Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services, 2.4 percent from 2.3 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 March 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 for the bottom 30% income household decreased to 1.1 percent in March 2025 from 1.6 percent in the previous month. In March 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 March 2025 was primarily brought about by vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses with -3.3 percent from 1.8 percent in the previous month. This was followed by fish and other seafood with 2.3 percent from 5.2 percent, and sugar, confectionery, and desserts with 1.3 percent from 1.4 percent. 
In contrast, the following commodity groups registered higher inflation rates during the month:

a.    Cereal and cereal products, 0.6 percent from 0.3 percent; 
b.    Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, 4.0 percent from 2.6 percent; 
c.    Milk, other dairy products and eggs, 2.0 percent from 1.6 percent;
d.    Oils and fats, -0.2 percent from -1.3 percent;
e.    Fruits and nuts, 3.2 percent from 1.3 percent; and
f.    Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c., 2.4 percent from 1.7 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.    Cereal and cereal products.

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