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

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

Overall Inflation

Bataan’s overall inflation decelerated to 0.5 percent in February 2025. In January 2025, the inflation rate was recorded at 1.7 percent and in February 2024, the inflation rate was at 2.9 percent. (Table 1 and Figure 1)

Main Drivers to the Downward Trend of the Overall Inflation

The downward trend in overall inflation in February 2025 was primarily brought about by the lower year-on-year growth in the index of Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages at 0.5 percent in February 2025, from 2.8 percent last January 2025. This was followed by Housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels at 0.4 percent in February 2025, from 1.3 percent last January 2025, and Transport at -1.8 percent in February 2025, from -1.0 percent in January 2025.

Lower increments were also noted in the indices of the following commodity groups during the month:

-    Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 7.1 percent from 7.5 percent;
-    Clothing and footwear, 0.3 percent from 0.4 percent;
-    Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, 1.1 percent from 1.4 percent;
-    Health, 0.3 percent from 0.4 percent;
-    Information and communication, 0.6 percent from 0.7 percent;
-    Recreation, sport, and culture, 0.8 percent from 1.0 percent; and
-    Restaurants and accommodation services, 1.1 percent from 1.4 percent.

On the contrary, the index of the following commodity group exhibited a higher annual increment in February 2025 compared to last January 2025:

-    Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services, 2.6 percent from 2.4 percent.

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

-    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 a decreased point of 133.8 in February 2025 compared to the previous month.

The price changes reflected in the CPI above caused the Purchasing Power of Peso (PPP) in Bataan to increase to 0.75 in 2025 compared to January 2025. (Table 2 and Figure 2).
 

Table 2. Year-on-year Consumer Price Index and Purchasing Power of Peso, All Items, Bataan, (2018=100).

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

Table 2. Year-on-year Consumer Price Index and Purchasing Power of Peso, All Items, Bataan, (2018=100).

Figure 2. Consumer Price Index and Purchasing Power of Peso, Bataan
February 2024 – February 2025, 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 0.5 percent in February 2025 compared to the previous month. In February 2024, food inflation was higher at 8.0 percent. (Table 2)

Main Drivers to the Downward Trend of Food Inflation

The downward trend in overall food inflation in February 2025 was primarily brought about by a slower year-on-year increase in Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas, and pulse at -0.7 percent, from 19.9 percent in January 2025. Cereals and cereal products also contributed to the downward trend with a slower inflation rate of -2.1 percent, from -0.6 percent in January 2025 and Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals with an inflation rate of 1.8 percent, from 2.3 percent in January 2025.

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

-    Milk, other dairy products and eggs, 1.8 percent from 2.3 percent;
-    Oils and fats, 0.1 percent from 0.2 percent;
-    Fruits and nuts, -0.4 percent from 1.6 percent;
-    Sugar, confectionery and desserts, -2.5 percent from -22 percent; and
-    Ready-made food and other food products, 3.1 percent from 4.1 percent.

On the contrary, the index of the following food items exhibited a higher annual increment in February 2025, in comparison to January 2025:

-    Fish and other seafood, 4.2 percent from 2.2 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 decreased to 2.3 percent in February 2025 compared to January 2025. The national level decreased at 2.1 percent in February 2025 compared to January 2025. (Figure 3)

Figure 3. Inflation Rates: Philippines, Central Luzon, and Bataan
February 2024 – February 2025
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: February 2025 (2018=100).

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

FRANCISCO P. CORPUZ
Chief Statistical Specialist