Overall Inflation

Bataan’s overall inflation decelerated to 0.4 percent in September 2024. In August  2024, the inflation rate was recorded at 1.8 percent and in September 2023, the inflation rate was at 6.8 percent. (Table 1 and Figure 1)

Main Drivers to the Downward Trend of the Overall Inflation

The downward trend in the overall inflation in September 2024 was primarily brought about by the lower year-on-year growth in the index of Food and non-alcoholic beverages at 0.6 percent in September 2024, from 5.5 percent last August 2024. This was followed by Transport at -4.4 percent in September 2024, from -3.0 percent last August 2024 and Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance  at 2.3 percent in September 2024, from 3.4 percent in August 2024.

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

• Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 12. Percent from 3.3 percent;
• Clothing and footwear, 1.3 percent from 1.6 percent;
• Health, 0.0 percent from 0.1 percent;
• Information and communication, 0.7 percent from 0.9 percent;
• Recreation, sport, and culture, 1.7 percent from 3.2 percent;
• Education services, 1.7 percent from 3.4 percent; and
• Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services, 2.7 percent from 2.8 percent.

On the contrary, the index of the following commodity groups exhibited a higher annual increment in August 2024 compared last July 2024:

• Housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, 1.8 percent from -2.0 percent. 

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

• Restaurants and accommodation services, 0.4 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 134.0 in September 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 September 2024 compared to August 2024. (Table 2 and Figure 2)

Food Inflation

Food inflation at Bataan decelerated to 0.6 percent in September 2024 compared to the previous month. In August 2023, food inflation was higher at 5.8 percent. (Table 2)

Main Drivers to the Downward Trend of the Food Inflation

The downward trend in the overall food inflation in September 2024 was primarily brought about by faster year-on-year decrease in Cereals and cereal products at 4.5 percent, from 24.2 percent in August 2024. Vegetable, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas, and pulses also contributed to the downward trend with a slower inflation rate of -20.5 percent, from -11.4 percent in August 2024.

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

• Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, 8.1 percent from 10.2 percent;
• Fish and other seafood, -2.0 percent from -1.1 percent;
• Milk, other dairy products and eggs, 2.5 percent from 2.6 percent;
• Oils and fats, 0.3 percent from 0.5 percent;
• Fruits and nuts, 2.6 percent from 7.9 percent; and
• Ready-made food and other food products, 5.9 percent from 6.2 percent.

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

• Sugar, confectionery and desserts, -1.5 percent form -1.9 percent.

Regional and National Level

The annual inflation rate in Central Luzon decreased to 1.9 percent in September 2024 compared to 3.6 percent in August 2024. The national level, decreased to 1.9 percent in September 2024 from 3.3 in August 2024. (Figure 3)

FRANCISCO P. CORPUZ
Chief Statistical Specialist

_RTG/LRG