Manila: Inflation in Pangasinan slowed to 4.8 percent in June from 5.6 percent in May, while La Union's rate eased to 6.0 percent from 6.3 percent during the same period, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, PSA Pangasinan supervising statistical specialist Verna Palsimon noted that the downward trend was primarily driven by the slower year-on-year increase in transport inflation, which eased to 16.2 percent in June from 20.7 percent in May. Contributing to the downward trend were slower annual increases in various sectors, including food and non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, clothing and footwear, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, recreation, sport and culture, and restaurants and accommodation services.

Palsimon also mentioned that higher inflation was recorded in furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, health, education services, personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services. Meanwhile, La Union chief statistical specialist Dr. Danites Te±ido highlighted that the main driver of La Union's downward trend was the lower inflation rate of the transport commodity group, which fell to 14.8 percent in June from 18.8 percent in May.

Te±ido further stated, "This was followed by a slower annual increase to 7.7 percent in the food and non-alcoholic beverages index during the month of June from 7.8 percent in May. Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance were the third contributor to the downtrend with a slower annual gain of 3.6 percent in June from 3.7 percent in May." Education services also posted a slower annual increase of 11.9 percent in June from 12.1 percent in May.

Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) senior economic development specialist Kathleen Irah Magaliao attributed the decline in the provinces' inflation rates to lower oil prices and a sufficient supply of goods. She remarked, "Of course, when the price of oil rises, it trickles down to other industries. At least since May, and even now in June, we have seen that the price of oil in the international market has declined. But actually, we are also expecting it to rise again in the next few months. So, we are keeping an eye on the price of oil."