Inflation in Western Visayas and Sarangani province accelerated in December 2025, driven mainly by higher food prices during the holiday season, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

In Western Visayas, headline inflation rose to 1.8 percent in December from 1.0 percent in November. While the pace was faster than the previous month, it remained lower than the 3.4 percent recorded in December 2024, indicating moderated price pressures year on year.

PSA Western Visayas said the increase was largely fueled by rising prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, which continued to account for the biggest share of household spending in the region.

Higher inflation was also recorded in clothing and footwear, recreation, sport and culture, and personal care and miscellaneous goods and services.

Inflation eased in alcoholic beverages and tobacco, furnishings and household equipment, transport, and information and communication.

Price movements were unchanged in housing, utilities, health, education services, restaurants and accommodation services, and financial services.

PSA Western Visayas noted the region’s annual average inflation for 2025 settled at 1.5 percent.

In Sarangani, headline inflation climbed to 2.1 percent in December from 0.2 percent in November, while prices rose by 1.9 percent month on month.

PSA said food and non-alcoholic beverages were the main drivers, posting a 3.0 percent annual increase in December, reversing the 1.0 percent annual decline recorded in November.

Other commodity groups posted more moderate increases, including alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 3.7 percent, and personal care and miscellaneous goods and services at 2.2 percent.

The PSA said the sharp rise in December highlights the sensitivity of household budgets to fluctuations in essential food prices, underscoring the need for a stable supply and continued monitoring of prices.