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

The headline inflation in the province of Palawan slowed down further to 0.5 percent in December 2024, from 1.7 percent in the previous month, marking its lowest level for the year. In December 2023, the inflation rate was higher at 4.9 percent (Table A and Figure 1).

The downtrend in the provincial inflation during the month was primarily driven by the lower index for food and non-alcoholic beverages, which posted a decline of 1.6 percent, compared to 0.3 percent in November 2024. This was followed by housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, which recorded an inflation rate of 3.3 percent, down from 5.3 percent. Also contributing to the deceleration was the slower increase in alcoholic beverages and tobacco, which registered an inflation rate of 2.3 percent, compared to 3.2 percent in the previous month.

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

In addition, lower annual increments were also observed in information and communication, recording an annual decline of 0.2 percent, and in furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance, which posted 3.5 percent.

Meanwhile, higher inflation rates were observed in the indices of restaurants and accommodation services at 5.7 percent in December 2024, from 5.0 percent in the previous month; personal care and miscellaneous goods and services at 1.8 percent, from 1.5 percent; transport at 1.4 percent, from 0.4 percent; health at 1.3 percent, from 1.2 percent; and recreation, sport, and culture at 0.8 percent, from 0.4 percent.

On the other hand, clothing and footwear, education services, and financial services retained their November 2024 levels at 0.8 percent, 0.0 percent, and -1.1 percent, respectively.

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

Food index for December 2024 contracted to -1.9 percent inflation rate from 0.2 percent in the previous month. In December 2023, the food index was higher, at 5.9 percent inflation rate, (Table C).

The slowdown in food inflation for the month was brought about by the lower index for cereals and cereal products at -7.0 percent inflation rate, from -1.1 percent last month. This was followed by vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas, and pulses at 0.4 percent inflation rate, from 1.1 percent. Fish and other seafood also slightly decreased to -0.8 percent inflation rate, from -0.7 percent in the previous month.

In contrast, higher inflation rates were observed in the following food groups:

a. Fruits and nuts, 5.6 percent from 3.7 percent;
b. Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, 5.3 percent from 4.5 percent;
c. Flour, Bread and Other Bakery Products, Pasta Products, and Other Cereals, 2.0 percent from 1.7 percent;
d. Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c., 1.9 percent from 1.5 percent;
e. Oils and fats, 1.7 percent from -0.3 percent; and
f. Sugar, confectionery and desserts, -1.9 percent from -4.4 percent.

Meanwhile, Corn retained its previous month’s inflation rate of 3.3 percent.

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

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

MQV