malaysiangThe movement of goods and services in Western Visayas slowed down to 3.4 percent in September from 4.9 percent in August, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Wednesday.
The headline inflation, year-on-year, was also lower at 6.6 percent.
At a press conference, PSA VI chief statistical specialist Marlene Alviar said the main sources of the deceleration are the slower growth in the food and non-alcoholic beverages commodity group with an inflation rate of 3.3 percent from the previous 6.2 percent in August, and transport, which slowed down to -2.1 percent from 0.7 percent.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages contributed a 79.4 percent share to the downtrend inflation, while transportation had a 15.7 percent share.
‘Of the 13 major commodity groups, seven have recorded lower inflation rate in September,” she said.
These included food and non-alcoholic beverages at 3.3 percent from 6.2 percent; alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 3.3 percent from 3.7 percent; transport, -2.1 percent from 0.7 perc
ent; recreation, sport and culture, 3.8 percent from 4.2 percent; education services, 8.1 percent from 10.3 percent; restaurants and accommodation services, 6.1 percent from 6.2 percent; and personal care, and miscellaneous good and services with 2.8 percent from 3.2 percent.
Meanwhile, higher inflation was noted in clothing and footwear at 3.8 percent from 3.6 percent; furnishing, household equipment, and routine household maintenance at 2.5 percent from 2.4 percent; and health at 3.1 percent from 3 percent.
Three other commodity groups recorded constant inflation, including housing, water, electricity, and other fuels; information and communication; and financial services at 5.6 percent, 0.9 percent; and -1.0 percent, respectively.
In the same briefing, PSA VI officer in charge Regional Director Nelida Amolar said that while the inflation rate has slowed down, Western Visayas is still the highest in the country, although by a smaller percentage.
She urged consumers to budget their money wisely, prioriti
ze what they need most, and avoid unhealthy food, especially since their report showed a big percentage of expenses are on food.
The PSA report also showed that among the provinces and highly urbanized cities in the region, Aklan recorded the lowest inflation at 2.3 percent.
Source: Philippines News Agency
