Headline Inflation

The headline inflation in the province of Agusan del Sur increased further to 6.0 percent in August 2023 from 5.8 percent in July 2023. This is 2.0 % higher as compared to previous month of this year. Inflation in August  2022 was higher at 6.2 percent. The average inflation for the whole year stood at 7.3 percent for the first eight months in the year. (Table A and Figure 1)

The provincial headline inflation is higher compared to the regional headline inflation in August 2023 at 4.4 percent and also higher than the country’s inflation for the same month at 5.3 percent.

Year-on-Year Changes of the Consumer Price Index

The increase in the inflation of the province was mainly brought about by the higher annual increase in the indices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, 6.7 percent; transport, 3.3 percent; clothing and footwear, 7.8 percent; recreation, sport and culture, 10.2 percent and personal care, miscellaneous goods and services at 7.0 percent.

On the other hand, annual decline of commodity group on alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 10.4 percent; housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, 11.1 percent; furnishings, household equipmtnet and routine household maintenance, 4.0 percent; health, 3.7 percent; education services, 0.0 percent and reastaurants and accommodation services; 2.6 percent went down in comparison with their inflation rates in the previous month.

The rest of the commodity groups either retained their previous month’s inflation rates or had zero percent annual growth rate.

Food Index

For the food index, it increased at 6.6 percent in August 2023 from 4.8 percent in July 2023.  In August 2022, food index was higher at 7.3 percent.

The increase was due to the higher annual indices of rice at 10.5 percent; fish and other seafoods at 3.8 percent; flour, bread and other bakery products, pasta products and other cereals at 13.2 percent; ready-made food and other food products n.e.c at 8.9 percent and vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses at 9.1 percent.

Meanwhile, the indices of corn, meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, milk, other dairy products and eggs, oils and fats, fruits and nuts and sugar, confectionery and desserts registered lower annual increases.

Note: CPIs and inflation rates in the province are posted at the PSA website (http;//openstat.psa.gov.ph/)

(Sgd.)DEMETRIO T. DEJOLDE JR.

Supervising Statistical Specialist, OIC