Aurora’s annual inflation increased to 3.8 percent in December 2024 which was 0.3 percent point higher from 3.5 percent in November 2024 and 2.0 percentage points higher from 1.8 percent in December 2023. (Refer to Figure 1)

Across regions, Cagayan Valley has the highest inflation rate recorded at 4.6 percent in December 2024, followed by Western Visayas at 3.4 percent. Meanwhile, SOCCSKSARGEN has the lowest inflation rate at 1.2 percent.

The headline inflation in the country increased from 2.5 percent in November 2024 to 2.9 percent in December 2024.

Figure 2 presents the annual inflation rates of the different regions in the Philippines in December 2024.

In Aurora, the increase in inflation could be mainly attributed to the higher increment posted by the index of Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages at 4.8 percent from 3.6 percent in November 2024. This was followed by the index of Personal Care, and Miscellaneous Goods and Services at 1.7 percent.

Listed below are the indices that recorded higher monthly increments:

•    Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (3.8% from 3.7%); and 
•    Transport (-1.1% from -5.1%)

On the other hand, lower monthly increments were recorded in the following indices:

•    Clothing and Footwear (0.1% from 1.4%);
•    Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels (3.5% from 6.2%); 
•    Recreation, Sport and Culture (5.6% from 5.7%); and 
•    Restaurants and Accommodation Services (3.1% from 5.0%).

Lastly, the following indices showed same rate from that of the previous month:

•    Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance (-0.4%);
•    Health (13.9%);
•    Information and Communication (0.1%); 
•    Education Services (22.9%); and
•    Financial Services (0.0%). (Table 1)

The annual growth rate in the provincial food index posted an increase in rate at 1.2 percentage points from 3.8 percent in November 2024 to 5.0 percent in December 2024. This trend was attributed by the higher monthly increments of the index of Vegetables, Tubers, Plantains, Cooking Bananas, and Pulses at 49.3 percent in December 2024 from 13.9 percent in November 2024. (Refer to Table 1.a)

Listed below are the following indices that recorded higher annual increments from November 2024 to December 2024:

•    Corn (29.9% from 24.0%)
•    Flour, Bread and Other Bakery Products, Pasta Products, and Other Cereals (5.2% from 4.5%);
•    Fish and other seafood (3.5% from 3.0%); 
•    Milk, Other Dairy Products, and Eggs (3.8% from 3.2%);
•    Oils and Fats (0.9% from -1.1%);
•    Fruits and Nuts (8.5% from 1.4%);
•    Sugar, Confectionery and Desserts (-5.1% from -7.1%);
•    Ready-made Food and Other Food Products N.E.C (7.4% from 6.4%).

Meanwhile, lower annual increment was noted only in the following index:

•    Rice (-10.7% from 1.4%); and
•    Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals (3.2% from 3.4%); 
(Refer to Table 1a)

For December 2024, Pampanga recorded the highest inflation rate in the region at 4.8 percent followed by Olongapo City at 4.6 percent. Angeles City and Tarlac ranked 3rd and 4th at 4.2 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively. This was followed by Aurora at 3.8 percent and Bulacan at 3.1 percent.

Nueva Ecija recorded an inflation rate of 2.1 percent while Bataan recorded an inflation rate of 1.5 percent. Zambales still recorded the lowest inflation rate in the region at 1.3 percent from 1.6 percent in November 2024. (Refer to Figure 3)

FERDINAND E. SANTIAGO
(Supervising Statistical Specialist) 
Officer-in-Charge
PSA Aurora