La Union’s headline inflation rate accelerated to 3.8 percent in September 2022 from 3.3 percent in the previous month. This brings the province’s average inflation from January to September 2022 at 3.4 percent.  Inflation in September a year ago was lower at 3.9 percent. (Table 1 and Figure 1)

The faster pace in the province’s overall inflation in September 2022 was brought about by the higher annual increase in the heavily weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages index at 3.5 percent, from 2.3 percent in the previous month.  Higher annual hikes were also observed in the indices of transport (19.7% from 16.1%); and recreation, sport and culture (4.2% from 3.8%).

On the contrary, lower annual increments were noted in the indices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco, at 4.8 percent; housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, at 2.5 percent; and restaurants and accommodation services at 0.4 percent.

Meanwhile, the annual growth remained in the indices of clothing and footwear at 0.7 percent; furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance at 1.0 percent; health at 1.2 percent; education services at -0.4; and personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services at 2.6 percent. The annual inflation in the indices of information and communication and financial services remained at zero growth. 

At the provincial level, food inflation accelerated to 3.5 percent in September 2022 from 2.2 percent in August 2022.  In September 2021, food inflation was recorded at 5.8 percent.

Majority of the food groups exhibited higher annual inflation in September 2022 compared with their annual rates in August 2022. Higher annual inflations were recorded in the indices of meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, at 11.6 percent; milk, other dairy products, and eggs, at 7.1 percent; oils and fats, at 12.2 percent; vegetables, tubers, cooking bananas and pulses, at -11.1 percent; and ready-made food and other food products not elsewhere classified, at 5.1 percent.

On the other hand, lower annual inflations were noted in the cereals and cereal products, at -3.0 percent; fish and other seafood, at 4.8 percent; fruits and nuts, at 1.5 percent; and sugar, confectionary and desserts at 32.1 percent.

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

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