The headline inflation in the City of Puerto Princesa accelerated to 4.2 percent in May 2025, from 3.7 percent in the previous month. In May 2024, the inflation rate is higher at 4.0 percent. (Table A and Figure 1) 

The uptrend in the overall inflation rate in Puerto Princesa City in May 2025 was primarily influenced by indices in Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, posted at 3.2 percent from 1.9 percent in April 2025. This was followed by Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an increase of 3.8 percent in the current month from 3.3 percent in the previous month. Also contributing to the acceleration is the higher increment of Transport at a decline of 3.1 percent from an annual decline of 3.3 percent in the past month. 

Meanwhile, lower indices were observed in the indices of Furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance and Personal care and miscellaneous goods and services at 2.1 percent and 3.6 percent in May 2025, respectively from their corresponding April 2025 rates of 2.2 percent and 3.7 percent.

On the other hand, the indices for Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, Information and communication, Recreation sport and culture, Education services, Restaurants and accommodation services, and Financial services retained their previous month’s inflation rates.

Food index for all income households in Puerto Princesa City in May 2025 accelerated to 3.6 percent inflation rate from 3.0 percent in the previous month. In May 2024, the food index was higher, at 5.7 percent inflation rate. (Table C)  
 
The faster food inflation rates for the month were driven by higher increment in rice index, with at a decline of 4.2 percent in May 2025 from 6.8 percent in April 2025. This was followed by Oils and Fats at 4.2 percent from 2.0 percent, and Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals at 10.2 percent from 10.0 percent.  

Furthermore, higher inflation rates were also observed in the following food groups:  
a.) Fruits and nuts, 11.7 percent from 11.1 percent;  
b.) Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, 10.2 percent from 10.0 percent, 
and 
c.) Ready-made food and other products n.e.c., 5.0 percent from 4.7 percent. 

Meanwhile, lower indices were recorded in Fish and other seafood, 8.5 percent; Milk other dairy products and eggs, 3.1 percent; and Vegetables tubers plantains cooking bananas and pulses, 4.8 percent. On the other hand, Flour, Bread and other Bakery Products, Pasta Products and other Cereals retained its previous month’s growth rate of 3.2 percent.

(SGD) DONNA MARIE D. MOBE
(Supervising Statistical Specialist)
Officer-In-Charge 
Palawan Provincial Statistical Office

MQV/DCE