Legazpi city: The Philippine Statistics Authority in Bicol (PSA-5) reported on Thursday that the inflation rate for July 2025 rose slightly to 1.7 percent, up from 1.5 percent in June.

According to Philippines News Agency, PSA-5 chief statistician Ray Merjilla stated during a press conference on the July 2025 Inflation Report that the primary driver of the increased inflation rate was the rapid rise in the prices of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels. These sectors experienced an inflation rate of 3.1 percent in July, compared to 1.4 percent in June.

Merjilla noted that restaurants and accommodation services also contributed to inflation in July, with an 8.0 percent inflation rate, up from 5.6 percent in June. The rise in prices at restaurants and cafes was identified as the main factor behind this increase. Additionally, personal care services and miscellaneous goods saw inflation rise to 3.3 percent from 2.6 percent in June.

The top five commodities driving inflation were identified as pork, restaurant and caf© services, poultry, rental prices, and freshwater fish. Merjilla suggested that supply and demand factors may have contributed to the slight uptick in inflation.

Among the six provinces in the region, Camarines Sur experienced the highest inflation rate at 2.4 percent, while Camarines Norte and Albay recorded the lowest at 0.7 percent. Catanduanes registered an inflation rate of 2.1 percent, Masbate at 2.0 percent, and Sorsogon remained at 1.8 percent.