Pangasinan: The inflation rate in the province of Pangasinan recorded an uptick from 2.6 percent in May to 3.1 percent in June this year.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Ilocos Region reported this increase, highlighting the contributions of various sectors to the inflation rise.
In a forum on Wednesday, PSA Pangasinan chief statistical specialist Edgar Norberte explained that food and non-alcoholic beverages were significant contributors, sharing 43.8 percent in the uptrend. Restaurants and accommodation services contributed 28.9 percent, while housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels accounted for 14.4 percent of the increase.
Rice inflation played a role, increasing from -12.1 percent in May to -8.4 percent in June. Additionally, fish inflation rose from 19.4 percent in May to 23.2 percent in June, leading to an increase in the inflation rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages from 2.3 percent in May to 2.9 percent in June.
Department of Agriculture (DA)-Ilocos Region project evaluation officer Irene Tactac noted that the rise in rice prices was anticipated due to the start of the wet season cropping. The supply from the dry season harvest, which spanned from February to May, was nearly depleted, contributing to the price increase.
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ilocos Region aquaculturist Joanna Tabelon indicated that the price increase of feeds and fuels, essential for fisheries operations, further contributed to the inflation rate of fish and seafood products. These inputs are necessary for aquaculture and captured fisheries, impacting production costs.
Norberte also noted an increase in restaurant and accommodation services inflation, rising from 4.6 percent to 5.7 percent, attributed to the higher inflation in restaurants, caf©s, and similar establishments from 4.9 percent to 6.0 percent.
Electricity's inflation slightly increased from 8.7 percent to 9.3 percent, contributing to the rise in inflation for housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels from 5.0 percent to 5.4 percent. Although the Department of Energy reported a decrease in electricity charges in May and June, the PSA Pangasinan attributed the higher inflation to increased consumption among residents.
Other commodity groups such as clothing and footwear, transport, and education services also experienced higher inflation in June compared to May. Meanwhile, furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance, along with health, recreation, sport, and culture, and personal care and miscellaneous goods and services saw lower inflation rates. Inflation rates for alcoholic beverages and tobacco, information and communication, and financial services remained stable.
