GUIMARAS – The inflation rate in this island province ticked up 0.2 percent in November after a three-month slowdown due to increase in the consumer price index (CPI).
Guimaras posted 5.4-percent inflation last month, according to the data that the Philippine Statistics Authority released on Dec. 17.
The latest rate disrupted the slowing inflation momentum from its peak at 7.3 percent in August to 6.2 percent in September and 5.2 percent in October.
PSA-Guimaras said the rising prices of five commodity groups – both food and non-food – affected the CPI.
The food and non-alcoholic beverages slightly increased at 0.08 percent; alcoholic beverages and tobacco up 0.09 percent; clothing and footwear up 0.36 percent, restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services up 0.09 percent; and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels up 1.64 percent.
The data also showed that the slower price movement was recorded in the index of transport which contracted at 1.28 percent from a recorded 101.9 percent a month ago to 100.6 percent in November.
No changes were recorded in the indices of health (110.9 percent); communication (99.9 percent); recreation and culture (100.5 percent); education (116.6 percent); and the furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house (132.9 percent).
According to the report, November’s inflation rate ranked five as to the province’s highest level of inflation in the past eleven months. August topped the rank at 7.3 percent.
Across Western Visayas region, the province of Negros Occidental posted the highest rate at 8.6 percent in November, followed by Capiz at 6.3 percent, Iloilo at 5.6 percent and Guimaras and Antique both at 5.4 percent.
The province of Aklan recorded the lowest rate at 4.9 percent. (With PIA/PN)
