Central Luzon’s inflation rate for the bottom 30 percent income households accelerated to 3.4 percent in October 2024 from 1.7 percent in September 2024. This faster rate translates to an increase of 1.7 percentage points from September 2024 and a decrease of 2.9 percentage points from October 2023. (Figure 1)

Across regions, Central Luzon recorded the sixth highest inflation rate for bottom 
30 percent income households along with MIMAROPA and Northern Mindanao regions in October 2024. Western Visayas recorded the highest inflation rate at 5.0 percent, followed by Bicol Region and Cagayan Valley at 4.8 percent and 4.0 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao had the lowest inflation rate at 1.6 percent. (Figure 2)

Furthermore, the headline inflation for bottom 30 percent income households in the Philippines also posted an acceleration of 3.4 percent in October 2024 from 2.5 percent in September 2024.

Figure 2 shows the annual inflation rates of the different regions in the Philippines in October 2024.
 

The increase in the inflation rate for the bottom 30 percent income households in Central Luzon could be attributed to the rapid acceleration in the index of food and non-alcoholic beverages at 3.4 percent in October 2024 from -0.3 percent in September 2024 and slower deceleration in the index of transport at -1.2 percent in October 2024 from -1.8 percent in September 2024.

Moreover, faster annual increments were also recorded in the following indices:
•    restaurants and accommodation services at 4.3 percent from 4.2 percent;
•    health at 2.0 percent from 1.4 percent; and
•    recreation, sport and culture at 5.7 percent from 5.3 percent.

On the contrary, slower annual increments were registered in the following indices;
•    alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 2.7 percent from 3.1 percent;
•    clothing and footwear, 2.7 percent from 2.9 percent;
•    housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, 6.3 percent from 7.7 percent; and
•    personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services, 3.6 percent from 3.8 percent.

The indices of the following commodity groups remained at their respective previous month’s annual rates:
•    furnishings, household equipment and routine and household maintenance, 2.1 percent;
•    information and communication, 0.3 percent;
•    education services, 3.0 percent; and
•    financial services, -0.1 percent.
 

The annual growth rate in the regional food index accelerated to 3.6 percent in October 2024 from -0.3 percent in September 2024. This could be mainly attributed to the faster annual increment in the index of cereals and cereal products at 7.7 percent in October 2024 from 1.0 percent in September 2024.

In addition, faster annual increase was recorded in the index of fruits and nuts at 11.3 percent from 10.3 percent.

Moreover, slower annual decreases were recorded in the following indices:
•    vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses at -6.0 percent from -18.7 percent;
•    fish and other seafood at -0.1 percent in October 2024 from -2.2 percent; and
•    oils and fats at -0.4 percent from -2.6 percent.

On the other hand, slower annual increments were recorded in the following indices:
•    meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, 3.7 percent from 4.5 percent; and
•    ready-made food and other food products n.e.c, 5.1 percent from 5.3 percent.

Furthermore, equal annual rates were recorded in the indices of milk, other dairy products and egg at 4.9 percent, and sugar, confectionery and desserts at -2.8 percent. (Table 2)
 

Relative to September 2024 inflation rates for bottom 30 percent income households, all provinces and Highly Urbanized City (HUC) in the region exhibited higher inflation rates, except in the City of Olongapo, in October 2024. Aurora registered the largest increase in inflation with a difference of 3.5 percentage points.

Among the provinces and HUCs in the region, Pampanga registered the highest inflation rate for bottom 30 percent income households at 4.9 percent, followed by the City of Olongapo and Nueva Ecija at 4.6 percent and 4.4 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, Bataan and Bulacan both recorded the lowest inflation rate for the bottom 30 percent income households at 1.8 percent. (Figure 3)
 

ARLENE M. DIVINO
Regional Director 
PSA RSSO 03
 

CPI Technical Notes