Inflation rates for all income households in this highly-urbanized city and the province of Negros Occidental slowed further in December, a summary report by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed yesterday.

In Bacolod City, the inflation rate was four percent last month, from 4.2 percent in November, while in Negros Occidental, it fell to 3.5 percent in December from 4.7 percent in November.

Based on year-on-year inflation, the rate in December 2022 was 9.7 percent in Bacolod, while in Negros Occidental, 12.3 percent.

“In Bacolod City, the decline was attributed to a slight decrease in the indices of some commodities from November 2023,” the report said.

Included are alcoholic beverages and tobacco, from 12.7 to 12.5 percent; clothing and footwear, 2.4 to 2.1 percent; transport, -2.3 to -0.7 percent; and personal care/miscellaneous goods and services, 8.1 to 7.5 percent.

However, the indices for food and non-alcoholic beverages, furnishing/household equipment and routine household maintenance, health and recreation, and sports and culture have higher inflation rates.

“Negros Occidental’s inflation rate saw a downward trend due to the decrease year-on-year in the indices for [various] commodities,” the report added.

These include food and non-alcoholic beverages; alcoholic beverages; and tobacco; personal care/miscellaneous goods; and services at 6.9 percent, 7.9 percent and 3.4 percent in December 2023, compared to 8.5 percent, 7.9 percent and 3.6 percent in November 2023, respectively.

Also, the indices for clothing and footwear; housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels; furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance; and transport showed slight increases in inflation rates. (PNA)