SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) — Prices of goods and services in the Ilocos Region are rising more slowly, allowing residents’ money to go further.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority report released on April 11, the region’s inflation rate dropped to 2.1 percent in March 2025, marking the third consecutive month of decline.
This means many essential goods like food and transportation are not increasing in price as fast as before, which can ease the pressure on household budgets.
In January, inflation was at 2.9 percent, then dipped to 2.5 percent in February.
Camille Carla Beltran, PSA Region 1 chief administrative officer, explained the recent drop is due to slower price increases in various commodity groups such as food and non-alcoholic beverages, transport, personal care products, clothing, and miscellaneous goods and services.
Food items that helped pull down the inflation rate include rice, corn, bread, pasta, meat, oils and fats, ready-made meals, and other processed foods.
Beltran also noted that no price increases were recorded in three major groups: education services, restaurant and accommodation services, and financial services.
Among the provinces in the region, Ilocos Norte posted the lowest inflation rate at 0.9 percent, followed by La Union (1.5%), Pangasinan (2.3%), and Ilocos Sur (3.0%).
“Compared to their respective levels in March 2024, all the provinces—except Ilocos Sur—recorded lower inflation rates,” Beltran said.
To recall, in March 2024, Ilocos Norte had an inflation rate of 1.5 percent, La Union 3.7 percent, Pangasinan 2.5 percent, and Ilocos Sur 0.6 percent.
For ordinary workers, this means a real difference.
Hobert Molina, a bus conductor from Santa, Ilocos Sur, said the lower inflation helps him stretch his earnings.
“The low inflation, especially for fuel prices, means that I can spend less for bus fuel, helping me save more and have more resources for other needs,” Molina said.
With inflation easing, families and workers in the Ilocos Region can look forward to more stable prices, better savings, and greater control over their daily expenses. (AMB/CCMT, PIA La Union)
