La union: The inflation rate in La Union increased to 6.3 percent in July from 6.0 percent in June, while Pangasinan experienced a decline in its inflation rate, dropping to 4.5 percent from 4.7 percent.

According to Philippines News Agency, the respective Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) offices in both provinces released these figures on Thursday afternoon. PSA La Union chief statistical specialist Dr. Danites Te±ido highlighted that the primary contributors to the inflation acceleration in La Union were the restaurants and accommodation services sector, particularly restaurants and cafes with full services, which accounted for a 67.3 percent share.

The food and non-alcoholic beverages sector followed with a 10.9 percent share, and personal care and miscellaneous goods and services contributed an 8.5 percent share. Within the food and non-alcoholic beverages category, rice and various pelagic fish, whether live, fresh, chilled, or frozen, saw higher inflation rates in July compared to June. Lower inflation rates for gasoline and liquefied hydrocarbons in storage containers also played a role in the province's inflation rate for July.

Meanwhile, PSA Pangasinan officer-in-charge Verna Palsimon stated at the same forum that the deceleration in Pangasinan's inflation rate was primarily driven by restaurants and accommodation services, with full-service restaurants and cafes making up a 50.1 percent share. Transport, specifically gasoline and passenger transport by road, followed with a 43.7 percent share, and education services contributed a 6.3 percent share to the deceleration.

Liquefied hydrocarbons saw a reduction in inflation, whereas rice and electricity experienced higher inflation rates in the province.