(Photo courtesy of PIA)
CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro – Inflation among low-income households in Oriental Mindoro climbed to 10.1 percent in September 2026, exceeding the province’s overall inflation rate of 7.7 percent as rising food prices continued to put pressure on household budgets.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), inflation for households belonging to the bottom 30 percent income group accelerated from 9.8 percent in August.
PSA Oriental Mindoro Chief Statistical Specialist Charlyn Romero-Cantos said higher prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages were the primary contributors to inflation among low-income families.
Transportation costs, along with restaurant and accommodation services, also contributed to the increase, reflecting broader price pressures on essential goods and services.
Meanwhile, the province’s consumer price index (CPI) reached 156.3 in September, indicating a continued decline in the purchasing power of the peso.
Based on PSA data, the peso’s purchasing power dropped to approximately 64 centavos compared with its value in 2018.
This means goods and services that cost Php 1 in 2018 would require approximately Php 1.56 to purchase in September 2026.
The rising cost of basic commodities has placed additional financial pressure on low-income households, which allocate a larger portion of their earnings to food, transportation, and other daily necessities.
The PSA figures also showed that inflation affects income groups differently, with poorer households experiencing sharper price increases than the provincial average.
The latest data underscore the growing financial challenges facing vulnerable families as higher consumer prices continue to reduce their purchasing power.
