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 slowed down further to 4.9 percent in December 2023, from 5.5 percent in the previous month. This brings the average inflation rate for 2023 to 6.8 percent. In December 2022, inflation rate is higher at 9.9 percent, (Table A and Figure 1).

The downtrend in the provincial inflation during the month was primarily brought by the lower index for Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages, posted at 5.8 percent inflation from 8.3 percent last month. This was followed by Health with an inflation rate of 2.4 percent from 4.8 percent.

In addition, lower annual increments were also observed in the following commodities:
     a. Clothing and Footwear, 5.6 percent from 6.2 percent;
     b. Restaurant and Accommodation Services, 1.9 percent from 2.3 percent;
     c. Personal Care, and Miscellaneous Good and Services, 4.6 percent from 4.9 percent;
    d. Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance, 3.7 percent from 4.0 percent;
     e. Information and Communication, 0.4 percent from 0.8 percent; and
     f. Recreation, Sport and Culture, 11.4 percent from 11.9 percent.

Meanwhile, higher inflation rates were observed in the following indices:

1. Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, 8.9 percent from 7.9 percent;
2. Transport at 0.4 percent from -4.1 percent; and
3. Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and other Fuels, 4.5 percent from 2.9 percent.

Financial Services and Education Services remained at zero percent and 7.0 percent annual rate during the month, respectively.

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

Food index for December 2023 further decelerated to 5.9 percent inflation rate, from 8.4 percent in the previous month. In December 2022, the food index was higher, at 13.9 percent inflation rate, (Table C).

The deceleration of food inflation for the month was brought about by the lower index for Vegetables, Tubers, Plantains, Cooking Bananas and Pulses at -2.2 percent rate, from 15.1 percent last month. This was followed by Fish and other Seafood at 7.4 percent inflation rate, from 9.8 percent. Also contributing to the slowdown is Rice which decreased to 13.8 percent inflation rate, from 14.0 percent in the previous month. 

Furthermore, lower inflation rates were also observed in the following food groups:
     a) Sugar, Confectionery and Desserts, -8.0 percent from -6.3 percent;
     b) Oils and Fats, -6.2 percent from -5.2 percent;
     c) Flour, Bread and Other Bakery Products, Pasta Products, and Other Cereals, 5.8 percent from 7.0 percent; and
     d) Corn, -4.0 percent from -1.9 percent.

In contrast, higher inflation rates were observed in the indices of Milk, Other Dairy Products and Eggs at 14.0 percent, from 13.3 percent; Fruits and Nuts, at 5.4 percent, from 3.8 percent; and Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c. at 3.1 percent, from 3.0 percent.

Meanwhile, Meat and Other Parts of Slaughtered Land Animals retained its previous months’ inflation rate of -0.5.

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 2020 – December 2023 
(2018=100)

(SGD) MARIA LALAINE M. RODRIGUEZ
Chief Statistical Specialist