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 increased to 1.8 percent in May 2025 from 1.4 percent in the previous month. In May 2024, the inflation rate was higher at 5.9 percent. (Figure 1, and Tables A and B)

Main Drivers to the Upward Trend of the Headline Inflation

The upward trend in the overall inflation in May 2025 was primarily brought about by the annual increment of food and non-alcoholic beverages at 1.2 percent from 0.7 percent in the previous month. Also contributing to the upward trend was housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels with 4.0 percent from 3.6 percent, and alcoholic beverages and tobacco with 7.2 percent from 6.7 percent.
Higher annual increment was also noted in the index of furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance during the month with 2.5 percent from 2.3 percent.
On the contrary, the following commodity groups exhibited a lower annual increase during the month:
a.    Transport, -1.3 percent from -0.9 percent; and
b.    Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services, 2.4 percent from 2.6 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 May 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 increased to 1.1 percent in May 2025 from 0.5 percent in the previous month. In May 2024, food inflation was higher at 5.3 percent. (Table C)

Main Drivers to the Upward Trend of Food Inflation

The acceleration of food inflation in May 2025 was primarily brought about by vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses with -3.7 percent from -8.4 percent in the previous month. This was followed by meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals with 9.5 percent from 7.0 percent, and sugar, confectionery, and desserts with 0.1 percent from -0.4 percent. 
Higher annual increment was also noted in the index of oils and fats during the month with 0.6 percent from 0.5 percent.

In contrast, the following commodity groups registered lower inflation rates during the month:
a.    Cereals and cereal products, -1.6 percent from -0.6 percent; 
b.    Fish and other seafood, 2.5 percent from 3.3 percent;
c.    Milk, other dairy products and eggs, 1.4 percent from 2.1 percent; and
d.    Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c., 2.4 percent from 2.5 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.    Fruits and nuts; and
c.    Fish and other seafoods.

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