Inflation in Mindanao regions drops in December

DAVAO CITY – All six regions in Mindanao posted lower inflation rates last December, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), comprising the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and TawiTawi, and cities of Lamitan and Marawi, registered an inflation rate of 7.5 percent, the highest among the country’s 17 regions, but lower compared to the 7.7 percent last November.

Caraga posted the lowest inflation in Mindanao at 4.2 percent, which is below the national average of 5.1 percent and the third lowest in the country next to the Cordillera Administrative Region’s 3.4 percent and Central Luzon’s 4 percent.

Davao reported a 5.3 percent inflation rate, Soccsksargen 5.6 percent, Northern Mindanao 5.7 percent, and in Zamboanga Peninsula 6.6 percent, according to PSA.

This was the second straight month that inflation in the Mindanao regions eased after months of rising prices of basic commodities. Last October, the regions, except for Northern Mindanao and Caraga, showed signs of easing inflation.

The national average decelerated to 5.1 percent in December from 6 percent in November, following the slower annual increments in the indices of food and non-alcoholic beverages at 6.7 percent and transport at 4 percent.