The inflation rate in La Union continued its downward trend, slowing to 1.3 percent in April, down from 1.5 percent in March, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Thursday.
PSA La Union chief statistical specialist Dr. Danites Teñido said the latest decline was mainly driven by lower inflation in food and non-alcoholic beverages, which dropped to 0.8 percent month-on-month.
This marks the second consecutive month of easing inflation for the province, after it previously slowed to 1.5 percent in March from 3.0 percent in February, the PSA said.
Teñido said the easing was mainly driven by the slower annual increase in prices of fish and other seafood, which went down to 7.2 percent from 9.8 percent, and meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, which eased to 9.2percent from 10.9 percent.
Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas, and pulses also saw a significant drop in inflation, from 10.6 percent to 6.1 percent.
Other food items contributing to the slowdown included fruits and nuts (3.3 percent from 6.5 percent), milk, dairy products, and eggs (1.4 percent from 1.9 percent), and rice, which dropped to 12.4 percent from 14.8 percent.
Meanwhile, prices of corn, oils and fats, flour and bakery products, and sugar and confectionery remained stable.
Non-food contributors to the decline included transport, which posted a steeper year-on-year drop of -3.5 percent, and personal care and miscellaneous goods, which slowed to 0.2 percent.
Inflation for recreation, sports, and culture also dipped to 0.8 percent.
However, housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels saw a slight increase to 6.4 percent, contributing the largest share to overall inflation at 84 percent, followed by food and beverages (24.1 percent), and restaurants and accommodation services (4.3 percent).