Inflation rate in the province of Antique increased to 3.6 percent in October 2024, from 2.4 percent in September 2024. The recorded inflation rate in October 2023 was higher at 4.6 percent.

The October 2024 provincial inflation rate was higher compared to the national inflation rate, but slightly lower as compared to the regional inflation rate. The inflation rate of the Philippines increased to 2.3 percent in October 2024, from 1.9 percent in September 2024. The national inflation rate in October 2023 was recorded at 4.9 percent. Further, the inflation rate of Western Visayas slightly increased to 3.9 percent in October 2024, from 3.5 percent in September 2024. The recorded regional inflation rate in October 2023 was 5.4 percent.

The increase in the province’s inflation in October 2024 was mainly influenced by the higher annual increase in the indices of Food and non-alcoholic beverages at 4.8 percent in October 2024, from 1.7 percent in September 2024; and Health at 2.3 percent in October 2024, from 2.0 percent in September 2024. These were the only two commodity groups that had increasing indices for the month of October. 

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

a.    Clothing and footwear, 0.8 percent;
b.    Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, 7.1 percent;
c.    Transport, -2.1 percent;
d.    Recreation, sport and culture, 3.4 percent; and,
e.    Restaurants and accommodation services, 0.4 percent.

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

a.    Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 2.0 percent;
b.    Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, 1.7 percent;
c.    Information and communication, 0.2 percent;
d.    Education services, -3.3 percent;
e.    Financial services, -0.1 percent; and,
f.    Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services, 3.3 percent.

The recorded food inflation rate of Antique increased to 5.1 percent in October 2024, from 1.7 percent in September 2024. The food commodity group with the highest share to the food inflation trend was Cereals and cereal products at 18.2 percent in October 2024, from 6.8 percent in September 2024.

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

a.    Fish and other seafood, -9.1 percent;
b.    Milk, other dairy product and eggs, 2.7 percent; and,
c.    Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses, -2.7 percent.

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

a.    Meat and other parts of slaughtered animals, 6.9 percent;
b.    Fruits and nuts, 8.4 percent;
c.    Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses, -2.7 percent;
d.    Sugar, confectionery and desserts, -1.9 percent; and, 
e.    Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c., 3.0 percent.

However, the index for Oils and fats stayed at 1.9 percent in October 2024.

RANDY M. TACOGDOY, DPA
Chief Statistical Specialist
Antique Provincial Statistical Office