In January 2025, the inflation rate in Negros Occidental saw a decline to 2.7 percent, a drop from the 3.7 percent recorded in December 2024, according to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Conversely, Bacolod City experienced an increase in inflation, rising to 3.3 percent from December’s 2.4 percent. This shift in inflation rates highlights the differing economic pressures within the region.
The slowdown in Negros Occidental’s inflation was primarily driven by a decrease in the inflation rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages, which fell from 2.9 percent in December to 1.4 percent in January. Additionally, the inflation rate for restaurants and accommodation services held steady at 9.7 percent. These sectors contributed significantly to the overall inflation rate, with food and non-alcoholic beverages accounting for 66.3 percent of the total, and housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels making up 33.7 percent with an inflation rate of 2.2 percent.
In Bacolod City, the acceleration of inflation was led by food and non-alcoholic beverages, which saw an increase from 1.2 percent in December to 2.9 percent in January. The inflation rate for restaurants and accommodation services also rose, from 5.8 percent to 7.6 percent, contributing 30.1 percent and 19.8 percent to the city’s inflation uptrend, respectively.
Diesah Biaoco, a supervising statistical specialist at PSA-Negros Occidental, attributed the rise in food prices in Bacolod City to a limited food supply from Negros Occidental following the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon in December. Although the impact on Negros Occidental was minimal, it had a more pronounced effect on Bacolod City.
Following the eruption, the Department of Trade and Industry implemented a 60-day price freeze on basic necessities in Negros Occidental, which ended on February 11. Biaoco confirmed that PSA price collectors monitored the situation and found that the price freeze was adhered to across Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.