PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) -- The experienced drought influenced the acceleration of food inflation in Palawan and pushed faster movement of prices in the month of February, said Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Chief statistical specialist Maria Lalaine Rodriguez reported that the commodity group of food and non-alcoholic beverages recorded 4.0 percent inflation, contributed by cereals and cereal products, fruits and nuts, meat, and other parts of slaughtered land animals.
In February, Palawan’s inflation decelerated to 4.0 percent from January’s 3.7 percent.
“Malaking possibility ‘yon [drought impact] dahil kung titingnan natin, ang mga tumaas talaga ay rice at ibang produkto natin na mostly agricultural,” she said.
Rodriguez added that the amount of processed food purchased from Manila was also reflected in the local food inflation. The higher purchasing amount could be attributed to the impact of African Swine Fever (ASF) on supplies.
"If the effect of the drought continues, the trend of rates on food and non-alcoholic beverages may remain in the next month due to the possible impact on supplies," Rodriguez explained.
The faster consumption of demands in Puerto Princesa City due to events and the influx of tourists was the reason why food inflation in the city showed slower movement than in the province.
Chief Statistical Specialist Maria Lalaine Rodriguez reports the inflation report of Palawan and Puerto Princesa in month of February. (Photo by Rachel Ganancial)
Other commodity groups that influenced the acceleration are restaurants and accommodation services at 2.8 percent and housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels.
The city’s inflation rate showed continuous deceleration at 3.6 percent from January’s 4.1 percent. It was mainly influenced by housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels.
Rodriguez explained that the shorter billing period was the reason for the slower movement of electricity.
“It so happened na noong December hanggang January ‘yong period ng pag-compute nila ng average household consumption ay umaabot ng 40 to 45 days, kaya kung makikita ay biglang nag-shoot up. Whereas, nitong February ay medyo na-normalize nang kaunti, nasa 30 days na lang,” she said.
Other commodity groups that influenced the deceleration are transport and furnishing, household equipment, and other routine household maintenance.
Palawan’s bottom 30 percent of households recorded a 4.5 percent inflation rate, compared to 4.8 percent in Puerto Princesa.
The region of Mimaropa also showed a slower movement of the inflation rate, at 3.4 percent from January’s 3.6 percent. (RG/PIA Mimaropa - Palawan)
