Bicol: The Philippine Statistics Authority in Bicol (PSA-5) announced on Monday that the inflation rate for February 2026 slightly increased to 2.2 percent from 2.1 percent in January.

According to Philippines News Agency, PSA-5 Regional Director Engineer Cynthia Perdiz highlighted in a press conference that the primary contributors to this uptrend were food and non-alcoholic beverages, which comprised 31.2 percent of the inflation acceleration. This was followed by housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, which accounted for 25.3 percent, along with recreation, sports, and culture at 17.6 percent.

Perdiz identified the top five commodities driving the inflation as restaurants and cafes, rentals, other pelagic fish, fuel wood, and coffee. These commodities have played a significant role in shaping the region's inflation dynamics.

Among the six provinces in the Bicol region, Masbate experienced the highest inflation rate at 3.0 percent. In contrast, Camarines Sur recorded the lowest inflation rate at 1.9 percent. Meanwhile, the provinces of Albay and Catanduanes registered inflation rates of 2.0 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively, while Camarines Norte and Sorsogon both saw an inflation rate of 2.3 percent.