ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) recorded the country’s lowest inflation rate in May 2025, dropping to -1.6 percent, down from -1.4 percent in April.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) announced the figure last Friday, indicating a period of deflation for the region.

PSA-BARMM chief statistical specialist Edward Donald Eloja reported that the national headline inflation rate also saw a slight decrease, falling to 1.3 percent in May from 1.4 percent in April 2025.

Eloja attributed BARMM’s deflation to decreased costs in three main categories: housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; transport; and personal care and miscellaneous goods and services.

The top five commodities contributing to this month’s deflation rate included rice, gasoline, electricity, ready-made food and other food products, and sugar confectionery and desserts.

“Negative inflation — deflation in the Bangsamoro region has provided temporary relief to consumers by increasing their purchasing power,” Eloja said.

Within the Bangsamoro region, Basilan recorded the highest deflation rate at -3.4 percent, followed by Maguindanao at -2.4 percent, Tawi-Tawi at -1.7 percent, and Lanao del Sur with the lowest deflation rate at -0.2 percent.

Meantime, Cotabato City’s inflation rate further declined to -2.6 percent in May 2025, down from -1.8 percent in April 2025, according to the PSA-BARMM report.

This drop in the inflation rate highlights the Bangsamoro government’s ongoing commitment to keeping inflation low and stable, which helps safeguard the purchasing power of Bangsamoro consumers.

However, Eloja cautioned that if this trend persists, “it could lead to adverse effects, including profit losses, job cuts, and sluggish economic growth in the region.” He added that “the government plays a crucial role in managing the supply of basic commodities, whether in cases of excess or shortage.”

He explained that the interim government is taking necessary measures to mitigate any negative impact on the regional economy. These include supporting local production, reducing taxes on essential commodities, providing subsidies to sectors affected by falling prices, and encouraging increased investment.