The inflation rate of Bulacan ascends to 3.1 percent in December 2024

The headline inflation rate, or the year-on-year change in the prices of goods and services commonly purchased by people in the Province of Bulacan, increased by 1.4 percentage points from 1.7 percent in November 2024 to 3.1 percent in December 2024. However, compared to same month last year, it was lower by 5.4 percentage points from 8.5 percent to 3.1 percent. The provincial average inflation for the year 2024 was 4.4 percent.

Among the 13 commodity groups, the major contributor to the year-on-year inflation upward movement was Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and other Fuels with 3.3 percent from 0.5 percent in November. This was followed by Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages commodity group which accelerated to 4.4 percent from 2.7 percent; Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco commodity group with 4.4 percent from 3.5 percent last month; Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance with 1.0 percent from 0.5 percent; Personal Care, and Miscellaneous Goods and Services with 2.9 percent from 2.7 percent; Clothing and Footwear commodity group with 2.0 percent from 1.8 percent; and Health commodity group with 1.1 percent from 1.0 percent. Moreover, the Transport commodity group rebounded to 0.1 percent to -1.7 percent.

However, the commodity groups that remained at the same level of inflation as the previous month were as follows:

• Information and Communication, 0.0 percent;
• Recreation, Sport and Culture, 3.2 percent;
• Education Services, 1.9 percent;
• Restaurants and Accommodation Services, 4.8 percent; and
• Financial Services, -1.0 percent.

Food Inflation rises to 4.8 percent

During the month, Food inflation in the province rose to 4.8 percent compared to 2.9 percent from the previous month. The following food groups exhibited an increase during the month:

1. Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals with 6.6 percent from 3.2 percent;
2. Fish and Other Seafood with 6.4 percent from 2.9 percent; and
3. Vegetables, Tubers, Plantains, Cooking Bananas and Pulses with 37.7 percent from 19.6 percent.

Meanwhile, the commodity groups that showed a downward trend were the following:

• Cereals and Cereal Products with -1.6 percent from -0.6 percent;
• Milk, Other Dairy Products, and Eggs with -0.7 percent from -0.4 percent;
• Oils and fats (ND), -0.3 percent from -0.2 percent.
• Fruits and Nuts with 3.4 percent from 6.4 percent; and
• Sugar, Confectionery and Desserts with -4.1 percent from -3.3 percent.

Only Ready-Made Food and Other Food Products N.E.C. commodity group remained the same inflation from the previous month with 3.9 percent.

Consumer Price Index (CPI) increases to 130.1

The CPI of the Province of Bulacan increased to 130.1 in December 2024 from 128.8 in November 2024. The CPI value of 130.1 implies that an average typical Filipino household in the province of Bulacan needs an average of PhP130.10 to buy and avail the same amount of commonly purchased basket of goods and services worth Php100.00 in the year 2018. There was an increase of PhP30.10 equivalent to a 30.1 percent increase within six years.

The Purchasing Power of Peso (PPP) depreciates to 0.77

The PPP depreciated by 0.01, from 0.78 in November 2024 to 0.77 in December 2024. This means that a peso in 2018 was only worth 77 centavos during the month.

ELMOR G. BARROQUILLO
Chief Statistical Specialist

Date: 08 January 2025