Ilocos Region 

The inflation rate of the Ilocos Region increased to 2.4 percent in April 2024 from 2.2 percent in March 2024, higher by 0.2 percentage point. However, it is lower by 3.5 percentage points from the rate of 5.9 percent in April 2023. 

The higher inflation in Ilocos Region in April 2024 was primarily influenced by the increase in the indices of the following commodity groups:

a.    Food and non-alcoholic beverages, 6.7 percent;
b.    Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, -5.6 percent;
c.    Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, 3.8 percent;
d.    Health, 2.1 percent; and
e.    Transport, 1.5 percent; 
f.    Recreation, sport and culture, 0.7 percent; and
g.    Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services, 3.4 percent.

On the other hand, decrease in the indices of the following commodity groups was observed:

a.    Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 5.0 percent; and
b.    Restaurants and accommodation services, 0.9 percent.

Meanwhile, clothing and footwear, information and communication, education, and financial services retained their previous month’s inflation rate or had zero percent annual growth. (Table C)
 

As shown in Table D, the food index of Ilocos Region 
increased to 6.9 percent in April 2024, from 6.7 percent 
in the previous month. In April 2023, the food index was posted 
at 8.3 percent. Furthermore, the following food groups contributed 
to the inflation trend in April 2024:

a.    Cereals and cereal products, 21.6 percent;
b.    Oils and fats, 1.9 percent;
c.    Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses, 
-3.8 percent;
d.    Sugar, confectionery and desserts, -6.8 percent; and
e.    Ready-made food and other food products, 7.6 percent.

Flour, bread and other bakery products, pasta products, and other cereals retained its previous month inflation rate. The rest of the indices exhibited decreases from their previous month’s inflation rates.
 

Among the provinces, La Union posted the highest inflation rate in April 2024 but remained stable or retained its last year’s inflation rate of 3.7 percent. The other three provinces registered lower inflation rates compared to their respective levels in April 2023.

SGD. ATTY. SHEILA O. DE GUZMAN
Regional Director