The inflation in Biliran Province decelerated by 2.1 percent in February 2023, from 2.8 percent in January 2023. It is the lowest recorded inflation rate since 2022. Meanwhile, the inflation in February 2022 was higher at 3.6 percent (Table 1 and Figure 1). 

This decrease resulted from the slower annual upticks in the index of food and nonalcoholic beverages at -0.8 percent; housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels at 7.7 percent; and transport at 8.8 percent. 

Meanwhile, higher annual increments were observed in the indices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 5.3 percent and health at 1.6 percent. 

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

The food index further decreased by -1.1 percent in February 2023, from -0.9 percent in the previous month. In February 2022, the food index was higher by 3.3 percent.

A double-digit negative growth was observed in the indices of fish and other seafood at -15.8 percent. 

The food groups of meat and other parts of slaughtered animals, and corn also exhibited lower annual increments by 0.8 percent and 6.4 percent, respectively.

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

a. Flour, bread and other bakery products, pasta products, and other cereals, 3.6 percent; 
b. Milk, other dairy products and eggs, 2.5 percent; c. Oils and fats, 6.1 percent; 
d. Fruits and nuts, -0.5 percent; 
e. Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses, 14.9 percent; 
f. Sugar, confectionery and desserts, 33.8 percent; and 
g. Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c., 3.9 percent.
 

SGD. RENAVIL V. CUEVA
Chief Statistical Specialist