Negros Oriental’s overall inflation rate has decreased to -1.4 percent in July from -1.1 percent in the previous month, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in the province said on Thursday, August 14.

“The decline is attributed to commodity prices that are adjusting slightly, and the purchasing power of consumers has strengthened,” Engineer Ariel Fortuito, PSA-Negros Oriental provincial chief, said in an interview.

A PSA-Negros Oriental report showed that the main driver of the headline inflation in July was primarily the commodity group, food and non-alcoholic beverages, which declined by -2.9 percent from -2.2 percent.

This was followed by transport, at -1.9 percent from -1.8 percent, while clothing and footwear ranked third at 0.7 percent from 0.8 percent.

Conversely, three commodity groups experienced higher inflation rates during the month: housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels rose to 0.1 percent from -0.2 percent; and restaurants and accommodation services went from zero percent to 0.3 percent.

The following commodity groups maintained their previous month’s inflation rates: alcoholic beverages and tobacco (4.3 percent), furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance (zero percent), health (2.9 percent), information and communication (zero percent), recreation, sport, and culture (zero percent), education services (12.9 percent), financial services (zero percent), and personal care and miscellaneous goods and services (0.3 percent).

Food inflation at the provincial level slowly decreased to -3.1 percent in July 2025 from -2.3 percent in June. In July 2024, food inflation was observed at 9.1 percent.

Of the food groups, the top contributors to inflation were rice, with a 104.9 percent share, and corn, with a 24.7 percent share. (PNA)