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 February 2024, from 3.7 percent in the previous month. In February 2023, inflation rate is higher at 8.7 percent. (Table A and Figure 1)

The uptrend in the provincial inflation during the month was influenced by the higher index for Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages, posted at 4.0 percent from 3.3 percent in January 2024. This was followed by Restaurants and Accommodation Services, which posted an inflation rate of 2.8 percent from 2.4 percent last month. Also contributing to the uptrend is Housing, Water, Electricity, 
Gas and Other Fuels, which registered a 6.1 percent inflation from 6.0 percent in the previous month.

In addition, higher inflation rates were also observed in the following commodities: 

     a. Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco, 9.4 percent from 9.1 percent;
     b. Health, 2.0 percent from 1.8 percent; and
     c. Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routing Household Maintenance, 3.0 percent from 2.9 percent.

Meanwhile, lower annual increments were observed in the following indices:

     a. Clothing and Footwear, 3.9 percent from 4.9 percent;
     b. Transport, -1.3 percent from -0.1 percent;
     c. Information and Communication, 0.0 percent from 0.2 percent; and
     d. Recreation, Sport and Culture, 9.9 percent from 10.8 percent. 

On the other hand, three commodity groups retained their previous month’s inflation rates, namely: Education Services at 7.0, Financial Services at -1.1 and Personal Care, and Miscellaneous Good and Services at 3.9 percent annual rates.

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

Food index for February 2024 rose to 3.9 percent inflation rate, from 3.2 percent in the previous month. In February 2023, the food index was higher, at 11.7 percent inflation rate, (Table C).

The acceleration in the food inflation for the month was brought about by the higher index for Rice at 17.3 percent inflation rate, from 14.0 percent last month. This was followed by Fruits and Nuts at 8.0 percent inflation rate, from 4.2 percent in January 2024. Also contributing to the uptrend is the spike in the index of Meat and Other Parts of Slaughtered Land Animals which increased to 0.2 percent inflation rate, from 0.1 percent in the previous month.

Furthermore, higher inflation rates were also observed in the following food groups:

     a) Vegetables, Tubers, Plantains, Cooking Bananas and Pulses, -12.8 percent from -12.9 percent; and
     b) Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c., 2.8 percent from 2.7 percent.

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

     a) Flour, Bread and other Bakery Products, Pasta Products and other Cereals, 4.2 percent from 4.8 percent;
     b) Fish and Other Seafood, -0.6 percent from 0.1 percent;
     c) Milk, Other Dairy Products and Eggs, 5.8 percent from 7.8 percent;
     d) Oils and Fats, -6.5 percent from -2.6 percent; and
     e) Sugar, Confectionery, and Desserts, -10.0 percent from -8.6 percent; and
     f) Corn, -8.4 percent from 4.0 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 – February 2024 
(2018=100)

(SGD) MARIA LALAINE M. RODRIGUEZ
Chief Statistical Specialist