La Union’s headline inflation rate accelerated to 4.4 percent in November 2022 from 4.0 percent in the previous month. This brings the province’s average inflation from January to November 2022 at 3.5 percent.  Inflation in November a year ago was lower at 3.1 percent. (Table 1 and Figure 1)

The faster pace in the province’s overall inflation in November 2022 was brought about by higher annual increases in the indices of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels (4.5% from 1.9%); furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance (1.4% from 1.3%); health (1.8% from 1.3%); and personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services (2.9% from 2.7%). 

On the contrary, lower annual increments were noted in the indices of food and non-alcoholic beverages (4.7% from 4.8%); alcoholic beverages and tobacco, (4.2% from 4.6%); transport (15.1% from 15.7%); and recreation, sport and culture (2.6% from 3.9%).

Meanwhile, the annual inflation remained in the indices of clothing and footwear at 0.7 percent; education services, at -0.4 percent; and restaurants and accommodation services at 0.4 percent. The annual inflation in the indices of information and communication and financial services remained at zero growth. 

At the provincial level, food inflation slowed down to 4.7 percent in November 2022 from 4.9 percent in October 2022.  In November 2021, food inflation was recorded at 2.0 percent.

Compared with their annual rates in October 2022, lower annual gains in November 2022 were noted in the indices of the meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, at 4.3 percent; fish and other seafood, at 3.9 percent; and milk and other dairy products, at 7.2 percent.  In addition, the annual inflation in the fruits and nuts index decelerated to -1.4 percent.

On the contrary, higher inflations  were seen in the indices of  cereals and cereal products, at -0.6 percent; vegetables, tubers, cooking bananas and pulses, at 10.5 percent; sugar, confectionery and desserts, at 46.3 percent; and ready-made food and other food products not elsewhere classified, at 5.7 percent.

The annual increment in the oils and fats index remained at 11.5 percent.

SGD. DANITES E. TEÑIDO, Ph.D.
Chief Statistical Specialist

/MMAAA