Inflation rate in the province of Antique rose further to 6.7 percent in April 2024, from 6.1 percent in March 2024. The recorded inflation rate in April 2023 was lower at 6.2 percent.

The April 2024 provincial inflation rate was significantly higher as compared to the national and regional inflation rate. The inflation rate of the Philippines increased to 3.8 percent in April 2024, from 3.7 percent in March 2024. The national inflation rate in April 2023 was significantly higher at 6.6 percent. Further, the inflation rate of Western Visayas continues to increase at 4.1 percent in April 2024, from 3.1 percent in March 2024. The recorded inflation rate in April 2023 was significantly higher at 8.2 percent. 

The increase in the province’s inflation in April 2024 was mainly influenced by the higher annual increase in the indices of Food and non-alcoholic beverages at 10.9 percent in April 2024, from 10.3 percent in March 2024; Transport at 3.4 percent in April 2024, from 1.0 percent in March 2024; and, Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at 1.2 percent in April 2024, from 0.2 percent in March 2024.

The price index for Restaurants and accommodation services also increased to 5.4 percent in April 2024, from 4.5 percent in March 2024.

Moreover, slower annual increments were observed for the following commodity groups:

a.    Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 5.6 percent;
b.    Clothing and footwear, 2.1 percent;
c.    Health, 4.0 percent;
d.    Recreation, sport and culture, 3.1 percent; and,
e.    Personal care, and miscellaneous good and services, 1.3 percent.

The indices for the following commodity groups, however, showed no changes from its last month’s inflation rate:

a.    Furnishings, household equipment and routine household, 1.6 percent;
b.    Information and communication, 0.1 percent;
c.    Education services, 2.8 percent; and,
d.    Financial services, -0.1 percent.    

The food index reported an inflation of 11.5 percent in April 2024, from 10.8 percent in March 2024. The food commodity group with the highest share to the food inflation trend was Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses at 5.1 percent in April 2024, from -6.5 percent in March 2024.

Further, higher annual increments were observed for the following food commodity groups:

a.    Fish and other seafood, -3.8 percent; and,
b.    Oils and fats, 3.5 percent.

Moreover, the following food commodity groups slowed down for the month of April 2024:

a.    Cereals and cereal products, 29.5 percent;
b.    Meat and other parts of slaughtered animals, 13.3 percent;
c.    Milk, other dairy products and eggs, 4.0 percent;
d.    Fruits and nuts, 6.3 percent;
e.    Sugar, confectionery and desserts, -2.2 percent; and, 
f.    Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c., 3.0 percent.