Photo courtesy of PNA
Guimaras recorded slower inflation in July, bucking the broader acceleration in Western Visayas as price growth in the province eased to 4.6 percent from 5.1 percent in June.
The Philippine Statistics Authority said Guimaras was the only province in the region where inflation decelerated during the month. Its rate was also below Western Visayas’ 7.8 percent and the 6.2 percent recorded nationwide.
Capiz posted the region’s lowest inflation rate at 4.1 percent, although this was higher than its 3.9 percent reading in June.
PSA Guimaras supervising statistical specialist Vicente Geonanga said the slowdown meant prices continued to rise, but at a less rapid pace than the previous month. He noted that this could reflect more stable supplies or slower price adjustments for some commodities in the province.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages helped pull inflation lower, with their annual increase easing to 3.6 percent from 4.2 percent. Personal care and miscellaneous goods and services also slowed to 5.2 percent from 5.4 percent.
Some expenses, however, became more costly at a faster rate. Transport inflation edged up to 22 percent from 21.9 percent, while alcoholic beverages and tobacco accelerated to 7 percent from 6.5 percent.
Clothing and footwear inflation also rose to 3.8 percent, while housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels increased to 1 percent. Furnishings and household maintenance climbed slightly to 1.5 percent.
Geonanga cautioned that easing inflation should not be mistaken for falling prices, particularly as essentials such as rice remained expensive. He said households, especially those with limited incomes, could still feel pressure on their budgets even as Guimaras experienced a slower pace of price increases than most of Western Visayas.