The rate of increase in the prices of goods and services in Western Visayas (WV) accelerated in February this year.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA-6), the February inflation was 10.8 percent, higher compared to 10.3 percent in January.
The latest figure, which exceeded the 8.6-percent national average, remained the highest among the regions in the country.
The top contributor to the acceleration of inflation in the region was an increase in the commodity group of Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels index of 14.2 percent.
It was followed by Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (12.6 percent); Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (11.7 percent); and Restaurants and Accommodation Services (11.6 percent).
Inflation in Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance was at 8.6 percent; Personal Care, and Miscellaneous Goods and Services at 7.2 percent; Recreation, Sport and Culture at 4.8 percent; and Clothing and Footwear at 3.8 percent; and Health at 2.3 percent.
Decreases were observed in Transport at 12.3 percent and Information and Communication at 2.4 percent.
Education Services and Financial Services remained unchanged.
Zamboanga Peninsula and Davao Region both posted the second-highest inflation rate in the country at 9.9 percent, followed by Central Luzon at 9.3 percent,
MIMAROPA at 9 percent, Bicol Region at 8.8 percent, Caraga and Ilocos Region at 8.3 percent, Calabarzon at 8.2 percent and Mindanao at 8.0 percent.
Cagayan Valley posted a 7.9-percent inflation rate, BARMM at 7.5 percent, Central Visayas and SOCCSKSARGEN at 7.4 percent, Cordillera Administrative Region at 7.1 percent, and Eastern Visayas at 6.3 percent.IMT
