1. Guimaras Inflation for Bottom 30% Income HHs 

The Guimaras inflation for the bottom 30% income HHs moved faster to 0.4 % in May 2025 from 0.2 % in April 2025, bringing the provincial average inflation to 1.0 for low income from January to May 2025. In May 2024, the inflation rate was higher at 8.8 %. (Figure 1 and Table 1)

1.1 Main Drivers to the upward trend of the Bottom 30% Income HHs’ Inflation

The fast-moving inflation in May 2025 for the low-income HHs was primarily influenced by the increasing year-on-year price changes in the heavily weighted housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at 4.4 % during the month, from 1.3% in April 2025. the swelling annual inflation rate of personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services at 1.4 % in May 2025 from 1.0 % in the previous month and health at 3.1 % from 2.7 % also contributed to the speedy inflation of the bottom 30% income HHs.

Moreover, faster annual increases were noted in the indices of the following commodity groups in May 2025:

a. Restaurants and accommodation services, 10.5 % from 10.3 %, 

b. Transport, 0.9 % from 0.8 %, and 

c. Recreation, sport and culture, 0.2% from -0.1 %.

In contrast, three commodity groups showed slower inflation rates for low-income households in May 2025 from April 2025:

a. Food and non-alcoholic beverages, -2.0% from -1.8 %, 

b. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 9.9 % from 10.2 %, and 

c. Information and communication 4.8 % from 5.5%

While, clothing and footwear (1.3%), furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance (0.2%), education services (0.0(0.0%), financial services (0.0 %), and financial services (0.0 %), retained their previous month’s annual rates.

1.2 Main Contributors to the Bottom 30% Income HHs’ Inflation

The top three commodity groups with major contribution to the May 2025 overall bottom 30% income HHs inflation were the following: 

a. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco with 134.9 % contribution or 0.54 percentage points; 

b. Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels with 105.5 % impact or 0.42 percentage points; and 

c. Restaurants and accommodation services, with 92.4 % bearing or 0.37 percentage points.

2. Bottom 30% Income HHs’ Inflation per province in Region VI

Guimaras inflation slightly rises to 0.4% in May 2025; remains among lowest in WV

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Guimaras reported a slight increase in the province’s inflation rate, which rose to 0.4 percent in May 2025 from 0.2 percent in April 2025. Despite the marginal uptick, Guimaras continues to register one of the lowest inflation rates in Western Visayas (WV), reflecting continued price stability for basic goods and services.

The province’s modest increase contrasts with the sharper deflation seen in neighboring provinces. Aklan and Antique remained in deflationary territory in May 2025 at -2.4 percent and -2.5 percent, respectively. Capiz posted an inflation rate of 1.3 percent, while Iloilo registered 1.5 percent.

Guimaras’ 0.4 percent rate indicates steady price movements. This comes after the province experienced severe inflationary pressures in mid-2024, peaking at 8.8 percent in May last year.

Compared to April 2025, Guimaras' inflation increased by just 0.2 percentage points, while some provinces in the region experienced either steady inflation or deeper deflation.