The inflation rate of Bulacan decreases to 1.8 percent in May 2025

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 decelerated from 2.2 percent in April 2025 to 1.8 percent in May 2025. However, compared to May last year, it was lower by 3.6 percentage points, from 5.4 percent to 1.8 percent.
The provincial average inflation for the year 2025 was 2.1 percent.

Among the 13 commodity groups, the major contributors to the year-on-year deceleration in inflation from April to May 2025 were Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels with 2.3 percent from 5.6 percent; and Information and Communication with 0.0 percent from 0.3 percent. Meanwhile, Transport further contracted to -3.0 percent from -2.2 percent.

On the other hand, the commodity groups that exhibited an acceleration in inflation compared to the previous month were Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages with 2.9 percent from 1.8 percent; Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco with 9.4 percent from 8.7 percent; Personal Care Miscellaneous Goods and Services with 2.5 percent from 2.4 percent; Clothing and Footwear with 3.3 percent from 1.4 percent; and Health with 2.0 percent from 1.9 percent.

However, five commodity groups recorded steady inflation rates during the month. Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance at 1.0 percent; Recreation, Sport and Culture at 2.3 percent.; Education Services group at 2.2 percent; Restaurants and Accommodation Services group at 0.8 percent; and Financial Services group at 0.0 percent.

Food Inflation increases to 2.7 percent

During the month, food inflation in the province accelerated to 2.7 percent compared to 1.7 percent from the previous month. The food groups that showed an upward trend were the following:

• Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals with 7.9 percent from 6.8 percent;

• Fruits and Nuts with 2.9 percent from 2.3 percent; and

• Oils and Fats with 1.1 percent from 0.4 percent.

In addition, the food group that rebounded was Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses with 8.6 percent from -3.4 percent; while the food group that improved was Sugar, confectionery and desserts with -2.0 percent from -4.2 percent.

Meanwhile, the food groups that exhibited a downward trend this month were Milk, Other Dairy Products and Eggs with 3.5 percent from 4.2 percent; and Flour, Bread and Other Bakery Products, Pasta Products, and Other Cereals with 1.7 percent from 2.6 percent.

On the other hand, the food groups that contracted were Corn with -4.1 percent from 2.0 percent; and Rice with -9.1 percent from -8.8 percent.

In contrast, the food groups that remained the same rate during the month were Fish and other seafood at 9.9 percent; and Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c. at 4.2 percent.

Consumer Price Index (CPI) declines to 129.6

The CPI of the Province of Bulacan declined from 130.1 in April 2025 to 129.6 in May 2025. The CPI value of 129.6 implies that an average typical Filipino household in the province of Bulacan needs an average of PhP 129.60 to buy and avail the same amount of commonly purchased basket of goods and services worth PhP 100.00 in the year 2018. There was an increase of PhP 29.60 equivalent to a 29.6 percent increase within seven years.

The Purchasing Power of Peso (PPP) remains at 0.77

The PPP remained at 0.77 in May 2025. This means that a peso in 2018 was only worth 77 centavos during the month.

ELMOR G. BARROQUILLO
Chief Statistical Specialist