Inflation eases for poorest Filipino households

Inflation for the country’s bottom 30 percent of income households eased again in November, offering relief to low-income families whose budgets are dominated by food.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) released on Friday showed that inflation for this group posted a mild 0.2 percent annual decline, slightly slower than the 0.4 percent drop recorded in October but far below the 2.9 percent posted in the same month last year.

From January to November, inflation for the poorest households averaged just 0.2 percent, underscoring sustained weakness in price pressures.

The moderation was driven mainly by the slower annual decline in prices of food and nonalcoholic beverages, which fell 2.1 percent in November compared to 2.3 percent previously. Despite the easing, food continues to exert the strongest influence on the inflation basket of the poor, with cereals and cereal products — particularly rice and corn — remaining the biggest contributor.

Rice prices, while still lower year-on-year, declined at a slower pace of 17.3 percent in November from 19 percent in October, while corn prices contracted 5.6 percent, easing from 10.3 percent the month prior.

Other commodity groups registered faster increases, including housing and utilities (1.7 percent), transport (1.6 percent), and restaurants and accommodation services (3.3 percent). Meanwhile, categories such as alcoholic beverages and tobacco, furnishings, personal care, and recreation posted softer annual gains.

Food inflation alone recorded a 2.7 percent annual decline, with vegetables, meat, and dairy products helping temper overall increases. However, faster price upticks were noted in fish and seafood (8.6 percent) and fruits and nuts (3.3 percent).

Across regions, inflation trends varied. NCR posted a 2.4 percent increase, slightly slower than October, while areas outside the capital experienced a milder deflation of 0.3 percent. Eleven regions recorded negative inflation, led by BARMM with a 1.7 percent annual drop.

The government continues to emphasize price stability as a priority, rolling out measures such as targeted suggested retail prices, temporary importation to plug supply gaps, and stronger market monitoring to curb profiteering. The Department of Agriculture has also implemented price caps on pork, onions, and imported rice to combat holiday surges.

Officials expect the combination of easing food prices and policy interventions to help sustain manageable inflation during the holiday period, especially for households most vulnerable to price spikes.