ODIONGAN, Romblon (PIA) – The MIMAROPA region recorded the lowest inflation rate in January this year, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The region’s headline inflation rate dropped to 2.4 percent in January 2025, down from 2.9 percent in December 2024, and significantly lower than the inflation rate recorded in January 2024. This is the lowest inflation rate recorded in more than three years.
In a press briefing, PSA MIMAROPA Regional Director Leni Rioflorido attributed the slowdown to the decreased inflation rates of three major commodity groups, including housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, which recorded an inflation rate of 1.5 percent in January 2025 compared to 2.9 percent in December 2024. Food and non-alcoholic beverages registered a lower inflation rate of 3.1 percent compared to 3.4 percent in the previous month, while health services recorded an inflation rate of 1.4 percent from 2.2 percent in December 2024.
Other commodity groups that contributed to the slower inflation rate last month include alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 3.0 percent, clothing and footwear at 1.0 percent, restaurants and accommodation services at 6.2 percent, and personal care and miscellaneous goods and services at 1.1 percent.
Meanwhile, the region’s food index decelerated to 3.2 percent in January 2025, down from 3.5 percent in the previous month. However, it remained 0.6 percentage points higher compared to January 2024.
PSA MIMAROPA noted that the decline in food inflation was primarily driven by lower inflation rates in rice, meat, and fish products. Other food categories that recorded lower inflation rates include corn, flour, bread, bakery products, and cereals, as well as milk and dairy products, eggs, fruits and nuts, sugar and confectionery, and ready-made food products.
However, the inflation rate for vegetables, tubers, plantains, and pulses accelerated in January 2025, while oils and fats registered a slight increase to 0.2 percent, reversing the -0.3 percent decline recorded in December 2024.
PSA MIMAROPA also reported lower inflation rates across the five provinces and the highly urbanized city in the region for January 2025. Marinduque recorded 2.6 percent inflation, Occidental Mindoro 4.1 percent, Oriental Mindoro 3.7 percent, Palawan 0.6 percent, Romblon 0.7 percent, and Puerto Princesa City 1.8 percent.
For the Purchasing Power of the Peso (PPP) in the region, PSA MIMAROPA reported that it remained at ₱0.75 in January 2025, consistent since June 2024. (PJF/PIA MIMAROPA-Romblon)
