Inflation for MIMAROPA’s poorest rise to 7.1%

Inflation for low-income families in Oriental Mindoro surged to 10.1 percent in September, marking the highest rate recorded across the MIMAROPA region, according to data released recently by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Regional inflation for the bottom 30 percent income households accelerated to 7.1 percent in September, up from 6.7 percent in August.

The rate represents a significant increase compared to September of the previous year, when regional low-income inflation stood at 0.1 percent.

PSA analysts attributed the regional acceleration primarily to rising food and transportation costs. Food inflation for the income group rose to 6.6 percent from 6.1 percent in August, driven by price increases in fish and seafood, vegetables and fruits.

Meantime, transportation costs jumped 18.4 percent year-over-year.

Among MIMAROPA’s provinces and key cities, Oriental Mindoro recorded the highest rate for low-income households, followed by Palawan province at 7.0 percent, Romblon at 6.8 percent, Marinduque at 6.3 percent and Occidental Mindoro at 5.1 percent.

Puerto Princesa City registered the lowest inflation rate for low-income households in the region at 3.8 percent. Palawan province was the only area in the region to report a deceleration in inflation compared with August.