Inflation in Occidental Mindoro decelerated to 0.2 percent in March 2025 from 4.3 percent in February 2025. This is lower than the inflation rate of 6.5 percent in March 2024. Meanwhile, the inflation in MIMAROPA remained at 2.1 in March 2025. In March 2024, the inflation rate in the region was 3.9 percent.

Inflation Rate by Commodity Group
In March 2025, eight (8) commodity groups recorded lower inflation rates which included Food and Non- Alcoholic Beverages (-0.9%); Clothing and Footwear (-0.2%); Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and other Fuels (-3.6%); Health (1.3%); Transport (-2.8%); Information and Communication (0.7%); Recreation, Sport and Culture (12.9); and Personal Care and Miscellaneous Goods and Services (-3.9%). Meanwhile, commodity groups that recorded higher inflation rates include Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (3.5%); and Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Maintenance (5.3%). Restaurants and Accommodation Services; Education Services and Financial Services remained unchanged in terms of inflation rate compared to February 2025.

Inflation Rate by Food Group
The inflation rate for the food index in the province decelerated to -1.3. percent in March 2025 from 7.5 percent in February 2025. In March 2024, the inflation rate for the food index in the province was recorded at 11.1 percent.

Four (4) commodities from the Food group had contribution to the downtrend of the food index in March 2024. This indicates lower inflation rates for the following food groups: Cereals and cereal products    (-16.4%); Oils and fats (-5%); Fruits and nuts (28.4%); and Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses (3.4%). Meanwhile, Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals (21.4%); Fish and other seafood (3.2%); Milk, other dairy products and eggs (2.5%); Sugar, confectionery and desserts (-1.6%) and Ready-made food and other food products (7.3%) had accelerated annual growth rate from February 2025 to March 2025.

Purchasing Power of the Peso (PPP)
The Purchasing Power of the Peso in Occidental Mindoro in March 2025 declined to Php 0.73 from 0.75 in February 2025. This figure means that a peso in 2018 is only worth 73 centavos in March 2025, while the PPP was registered at Php 0.76 in March 2024. As a result, the amount of goods that can presently be purchased by consumers is lower compared to when the PPP was higher.

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