By Sam Ramos
Inflation in Northern Mindanao slowed to 1.6 percent in September, marking a 2.6 percentage point decline from August’s 4.2 percent rate, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) regional office.
PSA Northern Mindanao Chief Statistical Specialist Sarah Balagbis attributed the decline primarily to lower inflation in the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Transport sectors. Food inflation dropped significantly from 6.2 percent in August to 0.6 percent in September, with notable decreases in prices of cereals, particularly rice, and vegetables such as tomatoes, as well as meat products like pork.
Transportation costs also contributed to the overall deceleration, with inflation in the sector declining from 1.6 percent in August to -1.5 percent in September due to reduced gasoline and diesel prices.
Cagayan de Oro City reported the highest inflation rate within the region at 3.3 percent, while Lanao del Norte experienced the lowest rate at -1.2 percent, underscoring local economic variations across Northern Mindanao.
A further drop in rice prices, supported by a reduction in rice import tariffs from 35 percent to 15 percent, was noted by the Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao. This tariff adjustment, aimed at stabilizing rice costs, has made imported rice more affordable and helped ease inflationary pressure on staple goods in the region.