The inflation in Biliran Province increased by 3.5 percent in March 2023, from 2.1 percent in February 2023. It is the highest recorded inflation rate since January 2023. Meanwhile, the inflation in March 2022 was also at 3.5 percent (Table 1 and Figure 1).

This increase resulted from the higher annual increments in the indices of the following commodity groups as compared with their previous month’s inflation rates:

     a. Food and non-alcoholic beverages, 4.4 percent;
     b. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 6.1 percent;
     c. Clothing and footwear, 3.6 percent;
     d. Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, 1.7 percent;
     e. Health, 1.7 percent;
     f. Recreation, sport and culture, 1.4 percent;
     g. Restaurants and accommodation services, 1.3 percent; and
     h. Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services, 1.5 percent. 

Meanwhile, slower annual upticks were observed in the indices of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at 2.9 percent and transport at 4.4 percent. The rest of the commodity groups either retained their previous month’s inflation rates or had zero percent annual growth. The food index increased by 4.5 percent in March 2023, from -1.1 percent in the previous month. In March 2022, the food index was slower by 0.9 percent.

The following food groups exhibited higher annual increments during the month:

     a. Corn, 7.9 percent;
     b. Flour, bread and other bakery products, pasta products, and other cereals, 4.6 percent;
     c. Fish and other seafood, 4.4 percent;
     d. Oils and fats, 6.2 percent;
     e. Fruits and nuts, 0.4 percent;
     f. Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses, 22.6 percent; and
    g. Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c., 4.4 percent.

On the other hand, lower annual upticks were observed in following indices:

     a. Rice, 1.4 percent;
     b. Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, 0.1 percent;
     c. Milk, other dairy products and eggs, 2.1 percent; and
     d. Sugar, confectionery and desserts, 31.3 percent

SGD. RENAVIL V. CUEVA 
Chief Statistical Specialist