ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) continued to see an overall decline in consumer prices in December, even as inflation rates across the rest of the Philippines began to climb, according to data released Monday.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the regional inflation rate improved slightly to –1.0 percent in December, up from –1.4 percent in November 2025. This negative inflation, or deflation, stands in contrast to the 1.6 percent inflation rate recorded in the region in December 2024.

PSA-BARMM director Akan G. Tula said the slight acceleration toward zero was driven by three main sectors. Food and non-alcoholic beverages saw a slower decline in prices at –2.6 percent compared to –3.3 percent the previous month. Additionally, costs for restaurants and accommodation services rose to 2.9 percent, while housing, water, and electricity increased to 0.7 percent.

Tula said the negative inflation rate has increased the purchasing power of residents.

“The effect on the economy is seen in terms of buying capacity,” Tula said. “Since prices are lower than last year, our constituents can now buy more goods.”

While the Bangsamoro region remained in deflationary territory, the national inflation rate for the Philippines rose to 1.8 percent in December, up from 1.5 percent in November.

Price trends varied across the Bangsamoro provinces, as Maguindanao recorded the deepest deflation at –2.5 percent, followed by Cotabato City at –1.3 percent, Tawi-Tawi at –1.0 percent and Lanao del Sur at –0.7 percent. Conversely, Basilan and Sulu saw modest price increases, recording inflation rates of 0.4 percent and 0.8 percent, respectively.