Central Visayas has highest inflation in PH for May

Local

THE region with the highest inflation, or the general increase in the prices of goods and commodities, for May is still Central Visayas, driven largely by surge in food and transportation prices.

Central Visayas has now recorded the highest inflation rate in the country for two consecutive months, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The region's inflation rate was unchanged from April but remained significantly higher than the national average of 6.8 percent, which eased from 7.2 percent a month earlier.

The National Capital Region (NCR) posted the lowest inflation rate at 5 percent, while areas outside NCR registered a combined inflation rate of 7.1 percent.

Among the regions, Caraga followed with 9.4 percent inflation, while the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao recorded 8.7 percent and Eastern Visayas posted 8.2 percent.

Central Visayas continued to face strong price pressures from food and transportation.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages recorded a 15.2 percent inflation rate in May, faster than the 14.5 percent posted in April and the highest food inflation rate among all regions nationwide.

Transport inflation remained elevated at 21.9 percent, although slightly lower than April's 22.5 percent, reflecting the continued impact of high fuel costs and transport-related expenses.

Prices also increased in restaurants and accommodation services, which posted an 11.0 percent inflation rate, up from 10.5 percent in April.

Meanwhile, furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance rose by 7.1 percent, while housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels increased by 4.9 percent.

Health services posted a 3.4 percent inflation rate, while clothing and footwear rose by 4.3 percent.

The region's consumer price index (CPI) stood at 134.4 in May, up from 121.3 in the same month last year.

At the national level, inflation slowed mainly due to lower transport inflation, which eased to 16.2 percent from 21.4 percent in April as petroleum prices stabilized. National food inflation settled at 5.7 percent.(RBE)