Palawan

The headline inflation in the province of Palawan was posted at 6.9 percent in April 2023, decelerating from 9.0 percent in March 2023. In April 2022, inflation rate is lower at 6.6 percent. The average inflation rate for the first four months of the year stood at 8.3 percent, (Table A and Figure 1).

The downtrend in the provincial inflation in April was mainly brought by the lower index in the heavily weighted Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages at 9.4 percent, from 12.6 percent in March 2023. This was followed by Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels at 1.6 percent, from 3.0 percent in the previous month. The third primary driver on the slowdown was Transport which posted an -0.2 percent inflation rate from 1.8 percent last month.

Moreover, downtrends were also observed in the indices of the following commodity groups:
a.    Restaurants and Accommodation Services, 7.0 percent;
b.    Clothing and Footwear, 9.3 percent;

c.    Furnishings,    Household    Equipment    and    Routine    Household Maintenance, 7.7 percent;
d.    Health, 5.4 percent;
e.    Personal Care, and Miscellaneous Good and Services, 8.4 percent; and
f.    Information and Communication, 1.3 percent.

On the contrary, uptrends were noted in the indices of the following commodity groups:
a.    Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, 11.8 percent; and
b.    Recreation, Sport and Culture, 12.4 percent.

Meanwhile, Education and Financial Services retained their previous month’s inflation rates of 1.3 percent and 0.0 percent, respectively.

Food index in April 2023 slowed down to 9.4 percent inflation rate, from 12.7 percent in the previous month. In April 2022, the food index was lower, at 8.2 percent inflation rate, (Table C).

Fish and Other Seafood was the primary driver for the lower food inflation at
9.5 percent. This was followed by Vegetables, Tubers, Plantains, Cooking Bananas and Pulses at 14.4 percent. Third is Meat and Other Parts of Slaughtered Land Animals, at 4.4 percent.

Lower inflation rates were also observed in the following commodities:
a.    Sugar, Confectionery and Desserts, 47.6 percent;
b.    Ready-made Food and Other Food Products n.e.c., 10.5 percent;
c.    Oils and Fats, 6.1 percent; and
d.    Corn, 12.5 percent.

On the other hand, higher indices were observed in the following commodity groups:
a.    Rice, 4.2 percent;
b.        Flour, Bread and other Bakery Products, Pasta Products and other Cereals, 14.3 percent;
c.    Milk and Other Dairy Products and Eggs, 13.0 percent; and
d.    Fruits and Nuts, 5.6 percent.
 

Food index in April 2023 slowed down to 9.4 percent inflation rate, from 12.7 percent in the previous month. In April 2022, the food index was lower, at 8.2 percent inflation rate, (Table C).

Fish and Other Seafood was the primary driver for the lower food inflation at
9.5 percent. This was followed by Vegetables, Tubers, Plantains, Cooking Bananas and Pulses at 14.4 percent. Third is Meat and Other Parts of Slaughtered Land Animals, at 4.4 percent.

Lower inflation rates were also observed in the following commodities:
a.    Sugar, Confectionery and Desserts, 47.6 percent;
b.    Ready-made Food and Other Food Products n.e.c., 10.5 percent;
c.    Oils and Fats, 6.1 percent; and
d.    Corn, 12.5 percent.

On the other hand, higher indices were observed in the following commodity groups:
a.    Rice, 4.2 percent;
b.        Flour, Bread and other Bakery Products, Pasta Products and other Cereals, 14.3 percent;
c.    Milk and Other Dairy Products and Eggs, 13.0 percent; and
d.    Fruits and Nuts, 5.6 percent.