The annual inflation rate or the year-on-year change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region in May 2017 was estimated at 1.5 percent. The rate means that the prices of goods and services in the region in May 2017 were 1.5 percent higher, on the average, for all commodity groups compared to their prices in May 2016.

The May inflation rate, however, was lower relative to the previous month’s 1.7 percent. During the period, all commodity groups posted an increase in prices, except for Communication which retained the same index as last year. Faster increase in prices were noted in Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels (5.8%), Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (2.4%), and Education (1.0%). On the other hand, minimal price hikes were observed in Health (0.6%), Restaurant and Miscellaneous Goods and Services (0.6%), Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (0.5%), Clothing and Footwear (0.5%), Transport (0.5%), Furnishing, and Household Equipment and Routine Maintenance of the House (0.4%), and in Recreation and Culture (0.3%).