The headline inflation rate in Caraga Region reached 3.6 percent in February from 3.3 percent in January, driven by higher costs in food, housing, and transportation, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA-13) reported Wednesday.
The agency said the increase was mainly caused by higher prices in the food and non-alcoholic beverages category, which moved to 2.4 percent from 2.1 percent the previous month.
The PSA-13 noted that the climb in food prices was largely influenced by rice, which showed a slower decline, easing from -5.6 percent in January to -1.8 percent in February as local market prices gradually increased.
Housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels also contributed to the higher inflation, with the sector posting 7.1 percent in February, up from 6.6 percent in January.
The report indicated that electricity increased to 7.0 percent from 6.0 percent; fuel wood moved up to 5.9 percent from 4.7 percent; and actual rentals for housing edged up to 8.6 percent from 8.5 percent.
Transport costs were the third factor affecting inflation, with the category registering 0.8 percent in February from 0.6 percent the previous month.
Gasoline prices declined at a slower pace, moving from -5.6 percent in January to -4.4 percent in February; diesel posted 0.5 percent from a -3.3 percent drop; and automotive lubricants recorded 6.6 percent from 6.0 percent, the report said.
Among provinces, Agusan del Norte registered the highest inflation at 5.2 percent, up from 4.2 percent. Agusan del Sur followed at 3.1 percent from 2.8 percent, Surigao del Sur at 2.1 percent from 1.2 percent, and Dinagat Islands at 4.6 percent from 4.3 percent. Butuan City recorded a lower rate of 5.4 percent from 6.2 percent, while Surigao del Norte stayed at 3.2 percent.
