YEAR-ON-YEAR INFLATION RATES

The headline inflation in Sarangani Province further recorded a deflation of -0.4 percent in January 2025 from -0.3 percent in December 2024. This was lower than both the regional and national levels at 1.1 percent and 2.9 percent, respectively. In January 2024, the inflation rate was higher at 4.7 percent. (Table 1 and Figure 1)

The downtrend in the province’s inflation rate in January 2025 was primarily influenced by the slower annual decline in the index of food and non-alcoholic beverages at 2.3 percent from 2.0 percent inflation in December 2024. This was followed by housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at -0.3 percent in January 2025 from 0.4 percent in December 2024. The index of information and communication also contributed to the downtrend with zero inflation during the month from 0.3 percent in December 2024.

On the contrary, the following commodity groups registered faster annual increases during the month:

a. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 5.3 percent from 3.5 percent;
b. Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, 1.1 percent from 0.8 percent;
c. Health, 2.0 percent from 1.8 percent;
d. Transport, 2.1 percent from 1.3 percent; and
e. Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services, 4.8 percent from 4.4 percent. (Table 2)

The indices of the rest of the commodity groups such as clothing and footwear; recreation, sport and culture; education services; restaurants and accommodation services; and financial services retained at their previous month’s annual rates. (Table 2)

The inflation of food and non-alcoholic beverages further declined to 2.3 percent in January 2025 from 2.0 percent in December 2024. This was due to the faster price drop in the index of cereals and cereals products at -11.6 percent in January 2025 from -8.9 percent in December 2024. This was followed by fish and other seafood at 2.0 percent from 4.6 percent. The index of fruits and nuts also contributed to the downtrend at 1.6 percent from 5.5 percent in December 2024. (Table 3)

The province’s food inflation decreased to -2.6 percent in January 2025 from -2.2 percent in the previous month. In January 2024, food inflation was higher at 7.8 percent. (Table 4)

The deceleration of food inflation in January 2025 was brought about by the faster annual decline in the index of cereals and cereal products particularly rice with 13.6 percent from 8.8 percent in December 2024. This was followed by fish and other seafood with 2.0 percent in January 2025 from 4.6 percent in the previous month. Fruits and nuts also contributed to the downtrend with 1.6 percent during the month from 5.5 percent in December 2024. (Table 4)

Annual decline was also noted in the index of corn at 18.7 percent in January 2025 from 17.0 percent in the previous month. In addition, milk, other dairy products, and eggs posted slower price increase at 4.7 percent from 5.7 percent in December 2024. 
(Table 4)

In contrast, faster annual growth rates were recorded in the indices of the following food groups during the month:

a. Flour, Bread and Other Bakery Products, Pasta Products,  and Other Cereals,-1.5 percent from -3.4 percent;
b. Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, 1.6 percent from -0.3 percent;
c. Oil and fats, 21.7 percent from 19.7 percent;
d. Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses, 6.9 percent from -2.0 percent;
e. Sugar, confectionery and desserts, -3.8 percent from -5.2 percent; and
f. Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c., 4.3 percent from 3.2 percent. (Table 4)