The uptrend in the province’s inflation in February 2025 was primarily influenced by food and non-alcoholic beverages with an annual increase of 0.1 percent from an annual decrease of 0.9 percent in January 2025. Housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels came in next with 2.1 percent during the month from 0.3 percent in the previous month. These commodity groups accounted for 62.2 percent and 37.8 percent share to the uptrend in the inflation rate in the province, respectively.

On the other hand, lower year-on-year price movements in February 2025 were observed in the following commodity groups:

a. Clothing and footwear at 6.0 percent from 6.4 percent;
b. Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance at 6.4 percent from 6.6 percent;
c. Health at 3.4 percent from 3.5 percent;
d. Transport at 0.8 percent from 1.4 percent;
e. Recreation, sport and culture at 7.7 percent from 8.4 percent;
f. Restaurants and accommodation services at 2.9 percent from 3.6 percent; and
g. Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services at 6.5 percent from 7.0 percent.

Meanwhile, the the rest of the commodity group retained  their respective previous month’s annual rates. (Table A)

Food inflation in the province recorded a slower annual decline of 0.4 percent in February 2025 from an annual decline of 1.5 percent in January 2025. The acceleration of food inflation rate in February 2025 was mainly influenced by fish and other seafood with a slower annual decrease of 0.8 percent during the month from 4.9 percent annual decrease in the previous month. This was followed by meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals with 8.2 percent during the month from 4.2 percent in the previous month. Fruits and nuts also contributed to the  trend with 11.1 percent during the month from 5.0 percent in the previous month.

In addition, ready-made food and other food products not elsewhere classified recorded 9.3 percent faster annual increase during the month from 8.9 percent in the previous month.

Rice, the central commodity of Filipinos, exhibited faster annual decrease in its inflation rate at 10.3 percent in February 2025 from an annual decrease of 9.1 percent in January 2025. The corn also recorded an faster annual decline of 5.2 percent from an annual decrease of 4.1 percent.

Meanwhile, lower food inflation rate was observed on the following food items:

a. Flour, bread and other bakery products, pasta products at 2.8 percent from 3.0 percent;
b. Milk, other dairy products and eggs at 4.3 percent from 4.8 percent;
c. Oils and fats at 3.3 percent from 4.3 percent;
d. Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses at 8.5 percent from 9.0 percent; and
e. Sugar, confectionery and desserts at 0.1 percent from 1.3 percent.

Approved for release:

SGD. RENAVIL V. CUEVA

Chief Statistical Specialist

^MMOCM/PDP