SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) — Residents of the Ilocos Region are starting to feel some relief as price movements of goods and fuel move slowly.
The region’s inflation rate dropped to 1.6 percent in April 2025, down from 1.8 percent in March, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Region 1.
For Jovencio Gali, a tricycle driver in Tubao, La Union, the recent month has brought some welcome news.
“I noticed that gas prices have decreased, especially during Holy Week last month, which helps drivers like me who gas up frequently to keep working,” Gali shared.
Camille Carla Beltran, PSA chief administrative officer, said the decrease was mainly due to slower inflation in seven major commodity groups.
The slowdown was driven by lower inflation in food (1.9%), transport (3.3%), housing and utilities (1.8%), household items (1.4%), health (1.5%), clothing (2.4%), and recreation (3.2%).
“Education and financial services retained their respective previous month’s annual growth rates,” Beltran said.
Beltran also noted that the region’s food index declined in April.
“The food index of the Ilocos Region in April 2025 went down to 2.0 percent from the recorded rate of 2.7 percent in March 2025,” she said.
Slower food inflation was seen in rice (-9.0%), corn (-20.5%), flour and bread (0.7%), meat (6.0%), fruits and nuts (12.6%), vegetables (5.9%), sugar and desserts (0.5%), and ready-made foods (3.9%).
A lower inflation rate means that prices are not increasing as quickly, allowing people to make their money go further.
When inflation slows, everyday expenses—like food, gas, and electricity—rise at a more manageable pace.
This helps families better afford their needs and save more of their income.
For example, if you spent P500 on basic goods last year, you would only need around P508 now—just an P8 increase.
That small difference adds up, especially for families managing tight budgets.
Among the provinces, Ilocos Norte posted the lowest inflation rate in April at 0.2 percent.
This was followed by La Union at 1.3 percent, Pangasinan at 1.8 percent, and Ilocos Sur at 2.3 percent.
“Compared to their respective levels in April 2024, all the provinces, except Ilocos Sur, recorded lower inflation rates,” Beltran added.
In response to inflation, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and local government units in the Ilocos Region continue to strengthen price monitoring in public markets to ensure fair pricing of basic goods.
With prices rising more slowly, residents are encouraged to save money, buy essentials in bulk, or start small businesses like food vending or online selling.
The region’s stable inflation also supports long-term goals such as food security, decent work and economic growth, and reduced inequalities.
As the region stays economically stable, stories like that of Gali show how these trends can bring real benefits to families and communities. (AMB/CCMT, PIA La Union)
