The inflation rate of Bulacan increases to 2.2 percent in April 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 increased to 2.2 percent in April 2025 from 2.0 percent in March 2025. However, compared to April last year, it was lower by 3.8 percentage points, dropping from 6.0 percent to 2.2 percent. The provincial average inflation for the year 2025 was 2.2 percent.

Among the 13 commodity groups, the major contributors to the year-on-year acceleration in inflation from March to April 2025 were Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels with 5.6 percent from 1.4 percent. This was followed by Health with 1.9 percent from 1.1 percent; Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco with 8.7 percent from 8.6 percent; and Recreation, Sport and Culture with 2.3 percent from 2.1 percent.

On the other hand, the commodity groups that exhibited a decline in inflation compared to the previous month were Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages with 1.8 percent from 3.7 percent; and Personal Care Miscellaneous Goods and Services with 2.4 percent from 2.7 percent. Meanwhile, Transport contracted to -2.2 percent from -1.6 percent.

However, six commodity groups recorded no change in their inflation rates during the month. Clothing and Footwear at 1.4 percent; Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance at 1.0 percent; Information and Communication with 0.3 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 declines to 1.7 percent

During the month, Food inflation in the province declined further to 1.7 percent compared to 3.8 percent from the previous month. The commodity groups that showed a downward trend were the following:

• Rice with -8.8 percent from -7.1 percent;
• Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals with 6.8 percent from 10.3 percent;
• Oils and Fats with 0.4 percent from 0.5 percent;
• Fruits and Nuts with 2.3 percent from 5.6 percent;
• Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses with -3.4 percent from 12.8 percent;
• Sugar, confectionery and desserts with -4.2 percent from -4.1 percent; and
• Ready-made food and other food products N.E.C. with 4.2 percent from 5.1 percent.

Meanwhile, the following food groups exhibited an upward trend during the month:

• Corn with 2.0 percent from -8.6 percent;
• Fish and other seafood with 9.9 percent from 8.2 percent; and
• Milk, Other Dairy Products and Eggs with 4.2 percent from 3.8 percent.

In contrast, the food group Flour, Bread and Other Bakery Products, Pasta Products, and Other Cereals remained the same at 2.6 percent.

Consumer Price Index (CPI) declines to 130.1

The CPI of the Province of Bulacan declined to 130.1 in April 2025 from 130.3 in March 2025. The CPI value of 130.1 implies that an average typical Filipino household in the province of Bulacan needs an average of PhP 130.10 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 30.10 equivalent to a 30.1 percent increase within seven years.

The Purchasing Power of Peso (PPP) remains at 0.77

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

ELMOR G. BARROQUILLO
Chief Statistical Specialist