Inflation rate in the province of Antique increased to 6.2 percent in July 2024, from 5.8 percent in June 2024. The recorded inflation rate in July 2024 was significantly lower at 4.6 percent. 

The July 2024 provincial inflation rate was higher as compared to the national and regional inflation rates. The inflation rate in the Philippines increased to 4.4 percent in July 2024, from 3.7 percent in June 2024. The national inflation rate in July 2024 was recorded at 4.7 percent. Further, the inflation rate of Western Visayas slightly decreased to 4.8 percent in July 2024, from 4.9 percent in June 2024. The inflation rate for the region in July 2023 was recorded at 5.8 percent. 

The increase in the province’s inflation in July 2024 was mainly influence by the higher annual increase in the indices of Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at 7.4 percent in July 2024, from 4.5 percent in June 2024; Food and non-alcoholic beverages at 8.2 percent in July 2024, from 8.1 percent in June 2024; and, Recreation, sport and culture at 6.0 percent in July 2024, from 4.0 percent in June 2024.

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

a.    Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 1.1 percent;
b.    Transport, 3.7 percent; and,
c.    Personal care, and miscellaneous good and services, 3.5 percent.

Moreover, slower annual increments were recorded for the following commodities:

a.    Health, 3.3 percent;
b.    Information and communication, 0.2 percent; and,
c.    Education services, -1.1 percent.

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

a.    Clothing and footwear, 2.1 percent;
b.    Furnishings, household equipment and routine household, 1.5 percent;
c.    Restaurants and accommodation services, 5.6 percent; and, 
d.    Financial services, -0.1 percent.    

The recorded food inflation rate was recorded at 8.7 percent in July 2024, from 8.6 percent in June 2024. The food commodity group with the highest share to food inflation trend was Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals at 20.2 percent in July 2024, from 13.9 percent in June 2024.

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

a.    Fish and other seafood, -6.2 percent;
b.    Milk, other dairy products and eggs, 4.8 percent;
c.    Fruits and nuts, 9.5 percent;
d.    Sugar, confectionery and desserts, -2.6 percent; and,
e.    Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c, 4.7 percent.

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

a.    Cereals and cereal products, 19.9 percent; and
i.    Rice, 25.3 percent;
b.    Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses, -2.0 percent.