PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA)—The stabilized food rates and supplies in January pulled down the inflation rate both in Puerto Princesa City and Palawan, said the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Chief statistical specialist Maria Lalaine Rodriguez reported that a deceleration of the inflation rate has been observed both in Puerto Princesa and Palawan at 4.1 percent and 3.7 percent, respectively.

"It is possible that stocks from December still circulate in the markets after the peak of demand during the holiday season. Even though the northeast monsoon is still present, fishermen are still able to catch fish, which contributes to the food supply in two areas," Rodriguez explained.

“Pwede na marami pang stocks, kaya walang bagong produkto na pumasok muna, walang stocks ang ating establishments and outlets. Stocks pa rin noong December kaya stabilized yung presyo— medyo bumaba ang food,” she said.

In Puerto Princesa, the commodity group of food and non-alcoholic beverages contributed to the deceleration with 1.4 percent, followed by transportation with -0.2 percent, and furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance with 3.8 percent.

The rate in Palawan was also mainly influenced by food and non-alcoholic beverages at 3.3 percent, followed by transport at -0.1 percent, and clothing and footwear at 4.9 percent.

The two dominant commodity groups that have shown acceleration in both areas are alcoholic beverages and tobacco, as well as housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels.

Rodriguez further explained that the acceleration in housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels due to the increased power rate has contributed to the deceleration of the inflation rate in major household appliances.

The household appliances are part of the commodity group of furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance.

“Sa housing ay power [rate], bumaba ang ating major equipment, partikular doon ang air conditioner sa mahal ng kuryente natin ngayon. Pwede rin natin sabihin na may correlation ang taas ng kuryente sa pagbili ng household ng major appliances,” she said.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages also pulled down the rate for the bottom with 30 percent of income households, resulting in 4.9 percent in Puerto Princesa and 4.1 percent in Palawan.

The Mimaropa region also decelerated at 3.6 percent from the December 2023 rate of 4.4 percent. (RG/PIA Mimaropa - Palawan)