Table 1. Year-on-year inflation rates (in percent), all items, Bataan (2018=100).

Figure 1. Inflation Rates, Bataan
December 2023 – December 2024
All Items
(2018=100)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Retail Price Survey of Commodities for the Generation of Consumer Price Index

Overall Inflation

Bataan’s overall inflation accelerated to 1.5 percent in December 2024. In November 2024, the inflation rate was recorded at 1.4 percent and in December 2023, the inflation rate was at 3.0 percent. (Table 1 and Figure 1)

Main Drivers to the Upward Trend of the Overall Inflation

The upward trend in overall inflation in December 2024 was primarily brought about by the higher year-on-year growth in the index of Transport at -1.6 percent in December 2024, from -2.6 percent last November 2024. This was followed by Restaurants and accommodation services at 1.3 percent in December 2024, from     0.4 percent last November 2024, and Alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 7.2 percent in December 2024, from 4.9 percent in November 2024.

On the contrary, the index of the following commodity groups exhibited a lower annual increment in December 2024 compared to last November 2024:

• Food and non-alcoholic beverages, 2.6 percent from 3.0 percent;

• Clothing and footwear, 0.9 percent from 1.4 percent;

• Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance,1.3 percent from 1.4 percent;

• Recreation, sport, and culture, 0.9 percent from 1.1 percent; and

• Personal care and miscellaneous goods and services, 2.3 percent from 2.5 percent.

Meanwhile, the following commodity groups retained its respective index as last month’s index:

• Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, 1.3 percent;

• Health, -0.2 percent;

• Information and communication, 0.7 percent;

• Education services, 1.7 percent; and

• Financial services, 0.0 percent.

Consumer Price Index and Purchasing Power of Peso

Comparing the monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all income households, Bataan records an increased point of 134.1 in December 2024 compared to the previous month.

The price changes reflected in the CPI above caused the Purchasing Power of Peso (PPP) in Bataan to remain at 0.75 in December 2024 compared to November 2024. (Table 2 and Figure 2)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Retail Price Survey of Commodities for the Generation of Consumer Price Index

Figure 2. Consumer Price Index and Purchasing Power of Peso, Bataan
December 2023 – December 2024, All Items
(2018=100)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Retail Price Survey of Commodities for the Generation of Consumer Price Index

Food Inflation

Food inflation at Bataan decelerated to 2.7 percent in December 2024 compared to the previous month. In December 2023, food inflation was higher at 5.3 percent. (Table 2)

Main Drivers to the Downward Trend of Food Inflation

The downward trend in overall food inflation in December 2024 was primarily brought about by a slower year-on-year increase in Cereals and cereal products at 1.8 percent, from 8.8 percent in November 2024. Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals also contributed to the downward trend with a slower inflation rate of 2.8 percent, from 3.8 percent in November 2024 and Milk, other dairy products and eggs with an inflation rate of 0.9 percent, from 1.7 percent in November 2024.

Lower annual increments were also noted on the indices of the following food items during the month:

• Oils and fats, 0.6 percent from 0.7 percent;

• Fruits and nuts, 3.9 percent from 4.8 percent;

• Sugar, confectionery, and desserts, -1.9 percent from -1.5 percent; and

• Ready-made food and other food products, 3.2 percent from 3.9 percent.

On the contrary, the index of the following food items exhibited a higher annual increment in December 2024, in comparison to November 2024:

• Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses, 9.5 percent from -9.2 percent.

Meanwhile, the following food items retained its respective index as last month’s index:

• Fish and other seafood, 3.2 percent.

Table 3. Month-on-month inflation rates (in percent) for food items, Bataan (2018=100).

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Retail Price Survey of Commodities for the Generation of Consumer Price Index

Regional and National Level

The annual inflation rate in Central Luzon increased to 3.3 percent in December 2024 compared to November 2024. The national level increased to 2.9 percent in December 2024 from 2.8 in November 2024. (Figure 3)

Figure 3. Inflation Rates: Philippines, Central Luzon, and Bataan
December 2023 – December 2024
All Items
(2018=100)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Retail Price Survey of Commodities for the Generation of Consumer Price Index

Table 4. Consumer Price Index for All Income Households in Bataan: November 2024 (2018=100)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Retail Price Survey of Commodities for the Generation of Consumer Price Index

FRANCISCO P. CORPUZ
Chief Statistical Specialist

RTG/LRG