Inflation rate for the bottom 30% income households in Occidental Mindoro decelerated to -1.6 percent in March 2025 from 5.2 percent in February 2025. This is lower than the inflation rate of 9.1 percent in March 2024. Meanwhile, the inflation in MIMAROPA decelerated to 1.0 percent in March 2025, from 1.6 percent in February 2025. In March 2024 , the inflation rate in the region was 5.6 percent.

Inflation Rate by Commodity Group for Bottom 30% Income Households
In March 2025, seven (7) commodity groups recorded lower inflation rates which included Food and Non- Alcoholic Beverages (-3.9%); Clothing and Footwear (-0.4 %); Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and other Fuels (-4.2 %); Health (3.7 %); Transport (-2.8 %); Recreation, Sport and Culture (6.1 %); and Personal care, and miscellaneous Goods and Services (0.1%). Meanwhile, commodity groups that recorded higher inflation rates include Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (4.2 %); and Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Maintenance (1.6 %); Information and Communication (1.1 %); and Restaurants and Accommodation Services (20.0 %). Education Services (13.0%); and Financial Services (0.0%) remained unchanged in terms of inflation rate compared to February 2025.

Inflation Rate by Food Group for Bottom 30% Income Households
The inflation rate for the food index in the province decelerated to -4.4 percent in March 2025 from 7.6 in February 2025. In March 2024, the inflation rate for the food index in the province was recorded at 14.4 percent.

Four (4) commodities from the Food group had contribution to the downtrend of the food index in March 2025. This indicates lower inflation rates for the following food groups: Fruits and Nuts (32.7 %); Cereals and cereal products (-18.3%); Oils and fats (-6.6 %); and Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses (3.6 %). Meanwhile, Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals (21.7 %); Ready-made food and other food products (11.8 %); Fish and other seafood (3.2%); Milk, other dairy products and eggs (8.0 %); and Sugar, confectionery and desserts (-0.6 %) had accelerated annual growth rate as compared to February 2025.

(SGD) MARIBEL L. BERNARDO, PhD
Chief Statistical Specialist