The inflation rate in the island province of Catanduanes slowed slightly to 3.9% in the month of March 2020, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported last week.
According to the special report released by the Catanduanes Provincial Statistical Office, this translates to a Purchasing Power of the Peso of P 0.82, meaning the value of the 2020 peso is now 82 centavos compared to its full value in base year 2012.
The inflation rate is lower than the recorded figure for February 2020 but it registers a higher annual mark-up of 2.0 points compared to the inflation rate of 1.9 in the same period last year.
On the other hand, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all Income Households in all items in Catanduanes for the month of March 2020 was at 122.1 index points. This is lower compared to last month’s registered index points of 122.8 and higher than the 117.5 price index points in the same period last year.
On the month-to-month price situation of all commodities, the Fruit commodity group had the highest increase in CPI for March 2020.
As a whole, the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages commodity group was at 124.9 consumer price index points during the month of March 2020, compared to last month’s 126.2 price index points.
Fruit commodity group had the highest increase in CPI at 1.9 price index points, the report said. Other commodity groups that exhibited an increase in price index points during the month were Fish (1.4%); Food Products N.E.C. (0.4%); Other Cereals, Flour, Cereal Preparation, Bread, Pasta and Other Bakery Products (0.1%); and Oils and Fats (0.1%).
Meanwhile, the Vegetables commodity group has the highest decline in CPI in March 2020.
The CPI for Vegetables commodity group decelerated by 10.9% price index points. Other commodity groups that had lower price index points during the month were Meat (1.7%); Rice (1.3%); Bread and Cereals (0.9%) and Sugar, Jam, Honey, Chocolate and Confectionery (0.2%).
Corn and Milk, Cheese and Eggs commodity group retained the price index points during the month, along with Non-alcoholic Beverages.
The CPI for Alcoholic, Beverages and Tobacco commodity group in March 2020 accelerated at 196.1 price index points compared to 193.9 price index points exhibited in February 2020.
In the Non-food Commodity Group that accelerated in price index points during the month, these were headed by Restaurant and Miscellaneous Goods and Services (1.0%); and Clothing and Footwear (0.2%).
Commodity groups that decelerated in CPI during the month were Transport (1.8%); Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels (1.0%); Furnishings Household Equipment and Routine Maintenance of the House (0.6%); and Recreation and Culture (0.1%).
Health; Education and Communication commodity groups retained their price index points during the month.