Inflation in Western Visayas escalated to 3.6% in January 2025, a rise from the 3.4% recorded in December, positioning the region as having the third highest inflation rate outside the National Capital Region. This figure also exceeds the national average of 2.9%. 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.
Gallego highlighted that the surge in inflation was predominantly driven by increases in the costs of food and non-alcoholic beverages, transportation, and services related to restaurants and accommodations. Specifically, inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages increased from 2.8% in December to 3.4% in January. Notable contributors to this rise included cereals and other cereal products, which saw a 3.3% inflation rate, meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals with a 5.2% increase from 2.8%, and vegetables and tubers, which jumped to a 6.7% inflation rate from 0.8% the previous month.
Transportation costs also saw an uptick, with inflation rising from 1.8% to 2.2%, primarily due to higher fuel and lubricant prices. Meanwhile, the inflation rate for restaurant and accommodation services increased to 6% from 5.6%, with restaurants and cafés being the main drivers of this increase.
Out of the 13 major commodity groups, eight experienced 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 recorded a 2.3% inflation rate, up from 1.4% and 1.5% respectively.
On the other hand, some areas experienced a decline in inflation rates. Iloilo City saw a slight decrease to 5.1% from 5.4%, Negros Occidental’s rate fell to 2.7% from 3.7%, and both Capiz and Guimaras recorded a drop to 2.5% and 2.7% respectively from 2.8%. Despite these fluctuations, Aklan maintained the lowest inflation rate in the region at 2.3%, while Iloilo Province had the highest at 5.4%.