PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA)—The increased power rates and demands in medicine pushed the acceleration of the inflation rate in Puerto Princesa City to 3.7 percent in March, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.
Supervising statistical specialist Evelyn Apellido said that electricity, gas, and liquid fuels mainly contributed to the city's inflation of 9.6 percent. It was followed by food and non-alcoholic beverages at 2.4 percent, and health at 4.0 percent.
The city’s rate in February was 3.6 percent, which is almost double the March 2023 rate of 5.9 percent.
“Alam naman natin na ang lahat ng malalaking ospital ay nandito sa atin sa siyudad at lahat ng mga tao na talagang masama ang lagay ng kanilang mga pasyente ay talagang ilalabas nila rito sa atin,” she said.
In contrast, Palawan’s rate decelerated to 3.5 percent from 4.0 percent in February. The transport group contributed -2.9 percent due to the lower number of passengers in sea transport than aircraft.
PSA shows the inflation rates of provinces and one highly urbanized city in the Mimaropa region for the month of March.
It was followed by restaurants and accommodation at 0.5 percent, and food and non-alcoholic beverages at 3.8 percent.
“Mapapansin natin na mas maraming sumasakay sa eroplano kasi maliban sa everyday ang flight sa eroplano, ‘yon ang dahilan— Kahit gusto nila na sumakay sa eroplano pero marami silang karga, talagang nagbabarko sila,” she said.
The region of Mimaropa accelerated at 3.9 percent from February’s 3.4 percent. The provinces of Palawan and Marinduque are the only two areas that showed a deceleration in inflation in the region. (RG/PIA Mimaropa-Palawan)
