Pangasinan: The inflation rate in Pangasinan in November this year slightly increased to 2.9 percent from 2.5 percent in October, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority provincial office (PSA) on Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, in an online forum, PSA Pangasinan officer-in-charge Verna Palsimon stated that one of the main factors driving the province's November inflation increase was the housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels category, which rose from 2.7 percent to 4.2 percent, accounting for 51.3 percent of the overall upward trend. Under this commodity group, electricity led the uptrend with a 5.5 percent inflation rate in November, compared to -1.6 percent in October.
Engineer Jopet Oma±a, senior science research specialist at the Department of Energy Luzon Field Office, highlighted that while the rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a factor, consumption by surveyed households also contributes to the uptrend. He mentioned that suspensions in work and classes have led to increased household consumption, impacting the computation of bills. Power outages caused by disasters might have affected regular electricity supply, forcing utilities to source power from other plants at a higher cost.
Palsimon added that food and non-alcoholic beverages contributed 20.7 percent to the overall increase, with a 1.3 percent inflation rate compared to 1.0 percent. Within this group, rice experienced a slight rise in inflation from -15.5 percent to -14.4 percent. Restaurants and accommodation services also contributed 12.4 percent to the overall increase, with an 8.9 percent inflation rate compared to 8.4 percent in November and October, respectively.
Department of Agriculture Ilocos Region project evaluation officer Irene Tactac reported that the province experienced production losses in agriculture, but assured that Pangasinan remains self-sufficient in rice production. Partial damage to agriculture caused by Super Typhoon Uwan (international name Fung-wong) in Pangasinan has surpassed the PHP1 billion mark, as reported by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO). The damage included PHP102.3 million for palay or rice crops, PHP605.5 million for fishery, PHP561.6 million for high-value crops, and PHP37.2 million for corn. Additionally, damage to livestock and infrastructure was reported at PHP224.5 million and PHP176.5 million, respectively.
Meanwhile, other commodity groups such as housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels; furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance; health; transport; recreation, sport, and culture posted higher inflation in November compared to October this year. Clothing and footwear's inflation rate declined, while alcoholic beverages and tobacco; information and communication; and education services recorded a steady inflation rate.
