In January 2025, headline inflation in the province of Capiz dropped further to 2.5 percent, down from 3.2 percent in December 2024. This is the lowest inflation rate recorded in the past twenty-four months since the base year was adjusted to 2018. In comparison, the inflation rate for January 2024 was notably higher at 2.8 percent. The average inflation rate for Capiz for the entire year stands at 2.5 percent. In contrast, the average inflation rate for the Western Visayas region is 3.6 percent, which is 0.7 percent higher than the national average inflation rate of 2.9 percent (see Figure 1, Table A, and Table D).

The decline in inflation in Capiz can be attributed to a decrease in the Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels category, which fell from 1.3 percent in December 2024 to -1.4 percent in January 2025. Additionally, the inflation rate for Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco declined from 2.3 percent in November 2024 to 1.8 percent in January 2025. However, the most heavily weighted commodity group, Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages experienced an increase, rising from 4.5 percent in December 2024 to 4.7 percent in January 2025. Furthermore, the categories for Clothing and Footwear and Personal Care and Miscellaneous Goods and Services saw slight decreases, with Clothing and Footwear falling from 2.4 percent in December 2024 to 2.0 percent in January 2025 and Personal Care decreasing from 2.1 percent in December 2024 to 1.7 percent in January 2025. Other commodity groups experienced minimal changes or remained stable during this period (see Table B and Table C).

The following non-food commodity groups maintained their previous marks during the period such as:

1.       Recreation, Sport and Culture, 2.4 percent vs 2.4         

2.       Education Services, 4.1 vs 4.1

3.      Restaurants and Accommodation Services, 1.5 vs 1.5

   

The most significant decline in the Food and Non-Alcoholic Commodity Group was observed in the Fish and Other Seafood category, which fell from -2.3 percent in December 2024 to -3.2 percent in January 2025. Similarly, the Ready-Made Food and Other Food Products NEC category experienced a decrease, dropping from 6.9 percent to 6.0 percent during the same period. Additionally, the price of Corn declined from 0.4 percent in December 2024 to -0.1 percent in January 2025.

Several food commodities within the index group experienced price increases. Notably, the prices of vegetables, tubers, cooking bananas, and pulses rose from 0.2 percent in December 2024 to 3.5 percent in January 2025. Additionally, Rice saw an increase from 23.6 percent in December 2024 to 23.8 percent in January 2025. Flour, Bread, and Other Bakery products, and Other Cereals also recorded a rise, increasing from 2.3 percent in December 2024 to 2.5 percent in January 2025 (see Table C).

Additionally, several food groups experienced rising inflation compared to the previous month:
1. Fruits and Nuts: 1.8 percent vs. 1.9 percent
2. Sugar, Confectionery and Desserts: -2.1 percent vs. -1.1 percent

The annual rate for Non-alcoholic Beverages held steady at 0.8 percent in January 2025, unchanged from December 2024. In contrast, the rate for Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco decreased to 1.8 percent during the same period, down from 2.3 percent the previous month (see Table C).