PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) -- The increase in the price of rice and the resumption of classes pushed the acceleration of inflation in both Palawan and Puerto Princesa in the month of September, local Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.
The commodity groups of food and non-alcoholic beverages and recreation, sport, and culture contributed 11.3 percent and 14.5 percent to the inflation of Palawan, respectively. For the city of Puerto Princesa, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, food and non-alcoholic beverages, and information and communication contributed 3.8 percent, 3.6 percent, and -0.1 percent, respectively.
Chief Statistical Specialist Maria Lalaine Rodriguez said that rice has the highest weight in the commodity group of food and non-alcoholic beverages, particularly those classified as well-milled, regular, and special. The price cap imposed under Executive Order No. 39 was not yet implemented during the collection of data from the market basket, she added.
“Ang sinabi ng ating pangulo, nagtakda siya ng price ceiling, noong kinuha natin ito ay prior pa sa kaniyang declaration, kaya tumaas pa rin ang ating inflation pagdating sa bigas-- ang pinakamataas na contribution sa uptrend ay yong rice—tumaas siya, yon talaga ang pinakahumila sa food and non-alcoholic beverages,” she said.
The inflation rate in Palawan accelerated to 7.1 percent from 5.9 percent in August, which is still lower than 9.8 percent in September 2022. In Puerto Princesa, inflation increased to 4.4 percent from 3.3 percent in August, which is half of 8.6 percent at the September 2022 rate.
The inflation of prices in recreation, sport, and culture was mainly driven by the demand of students during the resumption of classes. It also affected the commodity groups of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, followed by information and communication, she added.
“Ngayon nag-start na ang pasukan, ang nag-influence diyan ay ‘yong drawing and painting material, writing material, mga ginagamit na sa school ng mga estudyante. Before, hindi siya gumagalaw, kaya walang paggalaw sa mga presyo ng bilihin sa commodities na ‘yon. Kaya ngayon, medyo nong pasukan, bumili ang mga estudyante, iba na ang presyo nya kaya gumalaw,” Rodriguez said.
The commodity groups associated with food and transportation could also have an impact on the upward trend in inflation during the 'ber' months, when consumers are anticipated to spend more, she added.
