Inflation eased in all six regions in Mindanao

DavOr town councilor nabbed for possession of illegal drugs

DAVAO CITY – The inflation rate in all of Mindanao’s six regions declined in November, as data from the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

While the five-province and twocity Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) continued to have the highest inflation rate in Mindanao, it nevertheless registered the biggest drop of 1.3 percentage points since September when it posted nine percent inflation, the highest among the six Mindanao regions, and the second highest in the country. Inflation now stands at 7.7 percent in ARMM.

Caraga recorded the lowest inflation rate at 5.6 percent, and Davao Region at 6.3 percent. The inflation rate of Zamboanga Peninsula also went down to 7.2 percent, and Northern Mindanao and Soccsksargen at 6.9 percent.

The region with the highest inflation rate was Bicol Region (8.9%) while the lowest was Central Luzon (4.4%).

The PSA reported that the country’s inflation rate slowed down to 6 percent in November 2018 from 6.7 percent in October, following the slower movement in the indices of food and non-alcoholic beverages at 8.0 percent; housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, 4.2 percent; and communication, 0.4 percent.

It added that education index “continued to post an annual rate of -3.8 percent, while transport index retained its previous month’s annual rate of 8.9 percent.”

It said the annual gain in food index further eased to 7.7 percent in November 2018.

DAVAO CITY – A municipal councilor from Davao Oriental was arrested at a checkpoint manned by Task Force Davao (TFD) in Barangay Lasang here, for attempting to bring into this city illegal drugs paraphernalia on Wednesday afternoon.

TFD identified the suspect as Eugene Rhoy Balante, councilor of Manay, Davao Oriental.

The report bared, Balante, 27, was about to pass the checkpoint at around 4 p.m. December 5, and was onboard a van when TFD personnel asked that he show the contents of his sling bag.

Found in the possession of Balante were three empty sachets, which had traces of what was believed to be shabu, two improvised glass tubes, two lighters, and a needle.

The TFD report also stated that Balante was also found positive for illegal drugs after he was tested following his arrest.

Further investigation disclosed that Balante was seeking re-election as councillor in Banay, Davao Oriental.

The councilor was already submitted for inquest proceedings before City Prosecution Office here for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act 2002, on Thursday morning, and is currently detained at the Bunawan Police Station.