Eastern visayas: Eastern Visayas has achieved a record-low inflation rate of 0.6 percent from January to November 2025, significantly below the regional development plan target, as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, PSA Region 8 chief statistical specialist Mae Almonte stated that while the low inflation rate benefits low-income families, it poses a challenge for businessmen. Almonte explained that reduced income leads to decreased consumer spending, which results in low demand for goods and services, thereby maintaining a low regional inflation rate and signaling a weak economy.

The region began the year with an inflation rate of 1.3 percent in January. This figure consistently declined to 1.1 percent in February and 0.4 percent in May. A rise to 0.7 percent was observed in June due to election-related spending, according to Almonte.

July saw a sharp drop to a negative 0.2 percent, followed by slight increases to 0.2 percent in August and 0.4 percent in September. October and December saw a consistent rate of 0.5 percent, all well below the 2.1 percent recorded in November 2024.

Almonte highlighted that the regional development plan aims to maintain food and headline inflation rates between 2.0 and 4.0 percent. In November 2025, key contributors to the region's inflation included food and non-alcoholic beverages, housing, utilities, and education services.

The inflation rate reflects the annual rate of change or the year-on-year variation in the consumer price index (CPI), indicating how quickly or slowly prices are rising over time. The PSA clarified that a low inflation rate does not imply falling prices but rather that prices are rising at a slower pace.