Inflation in Western Visayas surged to 3.6% in January 2025, marking an increase from December’s 3.4% and exceeding the national average of 2.9%. This rise positions Western Visayas as having the third highest inflation rate among regions outside the National Capital Region. The update was shared by Miguel Gallego, a Statistical Specialist from the Philippine Statistics Authority, during a press conference held in Iloilo City on February 10, 2025.
The primary drivers behind the uptick in inflation were identified as increases in the costs of food and non-alcoholic beverages, transportation, and services related to restaurants and accommodations. Specifically, food and non-alcoholic beverages experienced a rise in inflation from 2.8% in December to 3.4% in January. Notable increases were observed in cereals and other cereal products, which saw a 3.3% inflation rate, meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, which jumped from 2.8% to 5.2%, and vegetables and tubers, which escalated from 0.8% to 6.7%.
Transportation costs also contributed to the inflation surge, with the rate increasing from 1.8% to 2.2%, primarily due to higher fuel and lubricant prices. Additionally, the inflation rate for restaurant and accommodation services rose from 5.6% to 6%, with restaurants and cafés being the main contributors.
Out of the 13 major commodity groups, eight showed higher inflation rates in January compared to December. Regionally, inflation rates varied significantly. Iloilo Province saw the highest increase, with inflation rising to 5.4% from 4.2%. Bacolod City’s inflation rate went up to 3.3% from 2.4%, while Aklan and Antique both experienced increases to 2.3% from 1.4% and 1.5%, respectively.
Conversely, some areas saw a decline in inflation rates. Iloilo City’s rate dropped slightly to 5.1% from 5.4%, Negros Occidental’s decreased to 2.7% from 3.7%, and both Capiz and Guimaras saw their rates fall to 2.5% and 2.7% from 2.8%. Aklan maintained the lowest inflation rate in the region at 2.3%, while Iloilo Province recorded the highest at 5.4%.