Table A. Year-on-Year Inflation Rates: Philippines, 
MIMAROPA, and Palawan 
All Items, In Percent 
(2018=100)

Palawan

The headline inflation in the province of Palawan increased to 4.0 percent in April 2024, from 3.5 percent in the previous month. In March 2023, inflation rate is higher at 6.9 percent. (Tables A and B, and Figure 1)

The uptrend in the provincial inflation during the month was primarily influenced by the higher index for Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages, posted at 4.6 percent from 3.8 percent in March 2024. This was followed by Transport which posted an inflation rate of -1.8 percent from -2.9 percent last month.

Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels also contributed to the uptrend as it recorded a faster annual increase of 8.0 percent during the month from 7.8 percent in March 2024. Moreover, higher inflation rate was noted in Health at 1.8 percent in April from 1.5 percent in the previous month.

On the other hand, lower inflation rates were observed in the following indices: 

     a. Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco, 3.6 percent from 5.7 percent;
     b. Clothing and Footwear, 1.9 percent from 2.3 percent;
     c. Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routing Household Maintenance, 1.7 percent from 1.8 percent;
     d. Recreation, Sport, Culture, 7.4 percent from 8.8 percent; and 
     e. Personal Care, and Miscellaneous Good and Services, 1.9 percent from 2.4 percent. 

Meanwhile, four commodity groups retained their previous month’s inflation rates, 
namely:

    a. Education Services at 7.0 percent;
    b. Financial Services at -1.1 percent;
    c. Information and Communication at 0.1 percent; and 
    d. Restaurants and Accommodation Services at 0.5. percent

Table B. Year-on-Year Inflation Rates in Palawan, 
All Items, In Percent 
(2018=100)

Food index for April 2024 increased to 4.8 percent inflation rate, from 3.9 percent in the previous month. In April 2023, the food index was higher, at 9.4 percent inflation rate, (Table C).

The acceleration in the food inflation for the month was brought about by the higher index for Fish and Other Seafood, at -5.5 percent from -10.4 percent in March 2024. Vegetables, Tubers, Plantains, Cooking Bananas, and Pulses, which posted a 5.8 percent inflation rate, from -2.2 percent last month also contributed to the uptrend. Other drivers for the food inflation were commodity groups of Sugar, Confectionery, and Desserts, at -8.9 percent from -9.9 percent; Ready-made Food and Other Food Products n.e.c. at 2.4 percent inflation, from 2.1 percent; and Oils and Fats, at -5.7 percent from -6.3 percent last month.

In contrast, lower inflation rates were observed in the following food commodities:

     a. Cereals and Cereal Products, 12.2 percent from 15.4 percent;
     b. Flour, Bread and other Bakery Products, Pasta Products and other Cereals, 1.5 percent from 3.2 percent;
     c. Milk, Other Dairy Products and Eggs, -0.1 percent from 0.6 percent; and
     d. Fruits and Nuts at 4.8 percent inflation rate, from 5.3 percent

Meanwhile, only the commodity group Meat and Other Parts of Slaughtered Land Animals retained its previous month’s inflation rate of 2.9 percent. 

Table C. Year-on-Year Inflation Rates in Palawan, 
By Food Group In Percent 
(2018=100)

Table D. Year-on-Year Inflation Rates in Palawan, 
All Items, In Percent 
January 2021 – April 2024 
(2018=100)

(SGD) MARIA LALAINE M. RODRIGUEZ
Chief Statistical Specialist