The rate of increase in the prices of goods and services in Western Visayas slightly accelerated in February this year, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA-6).
The region’s headline inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), increased to 2.7 percent last month from 2.0 percent in January.
The latest figure, however, was lower compared to 10.8 percent in the same month last year and the national average for February, which stood at 3.4 percent.
PSA-6 said the faster inflation rate for February was mainly due to the swifter rise in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages and higher transportation costs.
The agency also attributed the increase to the slower decline in the index of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels.
On the other hand, lower inflation rates were observed in alcoholic beverages and tobacco; clothing and footwear; health; recreation; sports and culture; and restaurants and accommodation services.
Steady inflation rates, meanwhile, were noted in education services; financial services and personal care; and miscellaneous goods and services.IMT
