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 3.7 percent in January 2024, from 4.9 percent in the previous month, marking the 4thconsecutive decrease since October 2023. In January 2023, inflation rate is higher at 8.7 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 3.3 percent from 5.8 percent in December 2023. This was followed by Transport, which posted an inflation rate of -0.1 percent from 0.4 percent. Also contributing to the slowdown is the slower increment in Clothing and Footwear, which registered a 4.9 percent inflation rate from 5.6 percent in the previous month.

In addition, lower annual increments were also observed in the following 
commodities:

     a. Personal Care, and Miscellaneous Good and Services, 3.9 percent from 4.6 percent;
     b. Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance, 2.9 percent from 3.7 percent;
     c. Health, 1.8 percent from 2.4 percent;
     d. Recreation, Sport and Culture, 10.8 percent from 11.4 percent;
     e. Information and Communication, 0.2 percent from 0.4 percent; and
     f. Financial Services, -1.1 percent from 0.0 percent. 

Meanwhile, higher inflation rates were observed in the indices of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco at 9.1 percent from 8.9 percent; Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and other Fuels at 6.0 percent from 4.5 percent; and Restaurant and Accommodation Services at 2.4 percent from 1.9 percent. Education Services remained at 7.0 percent annual inflation rate during the month under review.

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

Food index for January 2024 decelerated for the 3rd consecutive time, registering a 3.2 percent inflation rate, from 5.9 percent in the previous month. In January 2023, the food index was higher, at 11.2 percent inflation rate, (Table C).

The slowdown of the food inflation for the month was brought about by the lower index for Fish and Other Seafood at 0.1 percent inflation rate, from 7.4 percent last month. This was followed by Vegetables, Tubers, Plantains, Cooking Bananas, and Pulses at -12.9 percent inflation rate, from -2.2 percent. Also contributing to the slowdown is Milk, Other Dairy Products and Eggs which decreased to 7.8 percent inflation rate, from 10.1 percent in the previous month. 

Furthermore, lower inflation rates were also observed in the following food groups:
     a) Sugar, Confectionery and Desserts, -8.6 percent from -8.0 percent;
     b) Fruits and Nuts, 4.2 percent from 5.4 percent;
     c) Flour, Bread and Other Bakery Products, Pasta Products, and Other Cereals, 4.8 percent from 5.8 percent;
     d) Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c., 2.7 percent from 3.1 percent.

In contrast, higher inflation rates were observed in the indices of Rice at 14.0 percent, from 13.8 percent; Meat and Other Parts of Slaughtered Land Animals which posted at 0.1 percent, from -0.5 percent; and Oils and Fats at -2.6 percent, from -6.2 percent.

Meanwhile, Corn retained its previous month’s inflation rate of -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 – January 2024 
(2018=100)

(SGD) MARIA LALAINE M. RODRIGUEZ
Chief Statistical Specialist