Inflation in Central Visayas (CV) slowed to 8.7 percent in July from 10.1 percent in June, driven by easing price increases in key commodities like food and transportation, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) regional office reported Thursday.

Food and nonalcoholic beverages — the region’s largest expenditure category — recorded a drop in inflation to 10.7 percent in July from 14.1 percent in June. Transport inflation also moderated to 14.7 percent from 16.8 percent the previous month.

Several other commodity groups saw price growth cool, including clothing and footwear, which dropped to 3.6 percent from 4.4 percent; furnishings, household equipment, and routine maintenance to 7 percent from 7.2 percent.

Meantime, information and communication slowed to 0.7 percent from 1.1 percent; recreation, sports, and culture to 3.8 percent from 4.1 percent; education services to 2.1 percent from 2.7 percent and personal care and miscellaneous goods to 3.4 percent from 3.8 percent.

Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels bucked the trend, accelerating to 6.6 percent in July from 5.6 percent in June.

Inflation rates remained unchanged for health services at 3.7 percent, restaurants and accommodation services at 11.1 percent and financial services at zero percent.

Despite the regional decline, Central Visayas continues to post among the highest inflation rates in the Philippines. Nationally, inflation eased to 6.2 percent in July from 6.4 percent in June.