‘Inflation for poorest households slows in November 2018’

MANILA, Philippines — Prices of consumer goods rose at a slower pace for the poorest households in the country because of slower increases in the prices of food and utilities, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported yesterday.

The country’s year-on-year inflation for the bottom 30 percent income households slowed down to 8.2 percent in November from 9.5 percent in September and October.

This tracks the deceleration of headline inflation to six percent in November from a peak of 6.7 percent in September and October.

In November, slowdowns in the annual mark-ups were seen in the indices of food, beverages and tobacco as well as fuel, light and water (FLW).

Growth in the food index at the national level eased to 8.3 percent in November 2018 for the income segment. This compares with 9.8 percent in October.

Specifically, slower growth was seen in the following food groups in November: rice, corn, fish, fruits and vegetables, meat and miscellaneous foods.

In the National Capital Region, inflation for the bottom income households continued to slow down to 6.2 percent in November from 6.9 in October as lower increases were seen in the heavily weighted food, beverages and tobacco index.

Specifically, slower price increases were seen for rice, dairy products, meat and miscellaneous foodstuff.

Inflation for the poorest households outside of the metro likewise slowed down to 8.3 percent in November from 9.5 percent in October as slower price increases were seen in food and utilities.

Specifically, slower increases were seen in the prices of the following food groups: rice, corn, fish, fruits and vegetables, meat and miscellaneous foodstuff.

Across the regions, Mimaropa registered the highest inflation for bottom 30 percent income households in November while the lowest headline rate of 4.4 percent was seen in the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao.