1.  Caraga

The headline inflation in Caraga increased further to 8.2 percent in September 2022, from 7.5 percent in August 2022 and 3.3 percent in September 2021. This is the highest recorded inflation since January 2019 in the region. Average inflation from January to September 2022 was posted at 5.6 percent. (Table A and B and Figure 1)

The increase in the region’s inflation was mainly brought by the higher increase in the indices for food and non-alcoholic beverage 9.7 percent, from 8.4 percent in the previous month and housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels at 9.4 percent, from 9.1 percent in August 2022. Also contributing to the uptrend in the overall inflation during the period were the higher increments in the indices of the following commodity groups as compared with their previous month’s inflation rates:   

1.        Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, 9.6 percent;

2.       Clothing and footwear, 1.7 percent;

3.       Recreation, sport and culture, 3.0 percent;

4.       Restaurants and accommodation services, 7.3 percent; and

5.       Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services, 2.4 percent.

On the other hand, the annual markup in the indices of transport and information and communication decreased to 10.5 percent, from 10.9 percent in August 2022 and 0.6 percent, from 0.8 percent in August 2022, respectively. Further, the same inflation rate from its previous month’s rate was recorded in the indices of furnishing, household equipment and routine household maintenance, health, education services, and financial services. (Tables C).

For food index, it increased further to 10.3 percent in September 2022, from 8.9 percent in August 2022 and 3.4 percent in September 2021. (Table D)

The acceleration in the food inflation was primarily influenced by the higher annual growth in the fish and other seafood index at 11.4 percent, from 7.4 percent in the previous month. Further, the following food groups have higher increments during the month:

1.        Rice, 3.8 percent;

2.        Corn, 10.8 percent;

3.       Flour, bread and other bakery products, pasta products, and other cereals, 6.8 percent;

4.       Milk, other dairy products and eggs, 4.3 percent;

5.       Oils and fats, 12.6 percent;

6.        Fruits and nuts, 13.6 percent;

7.       Sugar, confectionery, and desserts, 38.4 percent; and

8.        Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c, 8.0 percent.

On the other hand, meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals and vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses registered a lower annual uptick at 17.9 percent and 12.6 percent, respectively. (Table D).

2.  Provinces and HUC

  In comparison with their annual growth rates in August 2022, three provinces (Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur) and one highly urbanized city    (Butuan City) registered an acceleration in inflation rates during the reference month. On the contrary, Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands’ inflation rates    slowed down to 6.6 percent and 9.4 percent, respectively.

  In Caraga, Butuan City registered the highest inflation rate at 10.8 percent while Surigao del Norte registered the lowest inflation rate at 6.6 percent in September   2022. (Table E).

Note:

CPIs and inflation rates by province and selected city are posted on the PSA website (http://openstat.psa.gov.ph/).

 (Sgd.)ROSALINDA C. APURA, D.M.
 Regional Director