YEAR-ON-YEAR INFLATION RATES

The inflation rate of South Cotabato’s bottom 30% income households increased to 7.8 percent in April 2024 from 6.9 percent in March 2024. It was higher by 1.0 percentage points from the same month last year at 6.8 percent and 1.1 percentage points higher from March 2024 at 6.9 percent. It was higher compared to the regional and the national estimates of 5.8 percent and 5.2 percent, respectively (Figure 1).

The acceleration in the province’ inflation rate for the bottom 30% income households in April 2024 were attributed to Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages at 10.6 percent; Transport at 0.7 percent; and Health at 1.3 percent. 

The major commodity groups which registered higher inflation were the following: 
a.    Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages, from 8.9% to 10.6%
b.    Health, from 1.0% to 1.3%
c.    Transport, from 0.1% to 0.7%

  Meanwhile, lower inflation was noted in the indices of the following commodity groups:
a.    Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, from 2.5% to 1.9%
b.    Clothing and Footwear, from 2.4% to 1.7%
c.    Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance from 3.5% to 3.4%
d.    Recreation, Sport and Culture, from 9.0% to 8.9%
e.    Personal Care, and Miscellaneous Goods and Service, from 5.4% to 3.2%.

The rest of the commodity groups: Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels (11.8%) Information and Communication (0.0%), Education Services (5.8%), Restaurants and Accommodation Services (1.3%) and Financial Services (-0.1%) maintained their previous month’s inflation rates (Table 2).
 

The inflation rate in the bottom 30% income households of South Cotabato for the Food Group grew by 11.2 percent in April 2024 from 9.4 percent in March 2024. In April 2023, food inflation was at 5.9 percent (Table 3).
 

The top three food groups that contributed to the increase in food inflation were Fish and other seafood, 3.9 percent; Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses, 8.4 percent; and Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c., 19.2 percent. 

Approved for Release:

MA. EILEEN A. BERDEPRADO
Chief Statistical Specialist 
OIC - Provincial Statistics Officer
Philippine Statistics Authority - South Cotabato

For inquiries, please contact:

HAZELLE KAYE G. ABARO
Statistical Analyst
Philippine Statistics Authority - South Cotabato 
Telephone Number (083) 877-1905