The inflation in Biliran Province decelerated by 2.8 percent in January 2023, from 5.8 percent in December 2022. It is the lowest recorded inflation rate since 2022. Meanwhile, the inflation in January 2022 was higher at 4.6 percent (Table 1 and Figure 1).

This decrease resulted from the slower annual upticks in the index of food and non-alcoholic beverages at -0.7 percent; alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 5.2 percent; and transport at 11.7 percent.

Meanwhile, higher annual increments were observed in the indices of the following commodity groups as compared with their previous month’s inflation rates:

a. Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, 9.0 percent;
b. Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, 
1.4 percent; and
c. Health, 1.5 percent

The rest of the commodity groups either retained their previous month’s inflation rates or had zero percent annual growth. 

The food index decreased by -0.9 percent in January 2023, from 5.8 percent in the previous month. In January 2022, the food index was higher by 5.8 percent.

A double-digit negative growth was observed in the indices of fish and other seafood at 12.7 percent and fruits and nuts at 12.3 percent.

The following food groups also exhibited lower annual increments during the month:

a. Rice, 1.7 percent;
b. Corn, 8.1 percent;
c. Flour, bread, and other bakery products, pasta products and other cereals, 3.1 percent;
d. Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, 6.6 percent; 
e. Milk, other dairy products, and eggs, 1.2 percent; 
f. Vegetables, tubers, cooking bananas and pulses, 3.0 percent; and 
g. Sugar, confectionery and desserts, 32.8 percent 

On the other hand, higher annual upticks were observed in the index of oils and fats at 6.0 percent, and ready-made food and other food products n.e.c at 2.8 percent.
 

SGD. RENAVIL V. CUEVA
Chief Statistical Specialist