The inflation rate of the Ilocos Region for the bottom 30% income household declined to 2.4 percent in February 2025 from 3.0 percent in January 2025. It is lower by 1.5 percentage points from 3.9 percent in February 2024. 

1.1    Main Drivers to the Downtrend of the Overall Inflation

The downward trend of the overall inflation for the bottom 30% income households in February 2025 was primarily contributed by food and non-alcoholic beverages. The index of this commodity group decreased to 2.3 percent from 3.9 percent in the previous month.

Lower indices were also observed in the following commodity groups during the month of February 2025:

a.    Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 1.5 percent from 2.2 percent;
b.    Clothing and footwear, 3.0 percent from 3.8 percent;
c.    Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, 1.9 percent from 2.3 percent;
d.    Health, 1.9 percent from 2.3 percent;
e.    Transport, -0.1 percent from 0.4 percent;
f.    Recreation, sport and culture, 4.2 percent from 4.7 percent; and
g.    Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services, 4.5 percent from 4.8 percent.

On the other hand, increased indices compared to their previous month’s rates were observed in the following commodity groups:

a.    Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, 3.2  percent from 1.5 percent; and
b.    Restaurants and accommodation services, 2.7 percent from 2.1 percent.

The rest of the commodity groups retained their previous month’s inflation rates or had zero percent annual growths. (Table B)

1.2    Main Contributor to the Overall Inflation

The following commodity groups were the top three contributors to the January 2025 overall inflation for the bottom 30% income households:

a.    Food and non-alcoholic beverages, 46.1 percent share or 1.11 percentage points;
b.    Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, 20.7 percent share or 0.50 percentage point; and
c.    Restaurants and accommodation services, 15.4 percent share or 0.37 percentage point.

II.    Food Inflation

Food inflation for the bottom 30% income households at the regional level decelerated to 2.3 percent in February 2025 from 4.0 percent in January 2025. In February 2024, its annual increase was observed at 9.3 percent. 

2.1    Main Drivers to the Downward Trend of the Food Inflation

The deceleration of food inflation was mainly contributed by vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses, with 7.5 percent annual decline in February 2025 from 35.8 percent annual increase in January 2025. Likewise, the following food groups contributed to the downtrend in food inflation in February 2025:

a.    Rice, -3.9 percent from -3.2 percent;
b.    Corn, 8.0 percent from 12.3 percent;
c.    Flour, Bread and Other Bakery Products, Pasta Products, and Other Cereals, 1.7 percent from 2.2 percent;
d.    Oils and fats, -2.5 percent from 2.0 percent; and
e.    Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c (ND), 6.8 percent from 8.1 percent.

On the other hand, higher indices were observed in the following food groups during the month of February 2025 (Table B):

a.    Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals (ND), 8.6 percent from 4.9 percent;
b.    Fish and other seafood (ND), 6.1 percent from 4.4 percent;
c.    Milk, other dairy products and eggs (ND), 1.3 percent from 1.1 percent;
d.    Fruits and nuts (ND), 10.2 percent from 6.8 percent; and
e.    Sugar, confectionery and desserts (ND), -1.3 percent from -1.5 percent.

2.2    Main Contributors to the Food Inflation

Food inflation contributed 42.2 percent or 1.01 percentage points to the February 2025 overall inflation. The top three main contributors to the food inflation during the month were the following:

a.    Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals (ND),  63.1 percent share or 1.45 percentage points;
b.    Fish and other seafood (ND), 40.9 percent share or 0.94 percentage point; and
c.    Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses (ND), 28.0 percent share or 0.64 percentage point.

Among the provinces, Ilocos Sur posted the highest inflation rate for the bottom 30% income households at 4.9 percent in February 2025. This was followed by La Union and Pangasinan with 3.5 percent and 2.0 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, Ilocos Norte registered a 0.2 percent annual growth.

Compared to their respective levels in February 2024, all provinces, except Ilocos Sur, posted lower inflation rates.

For:

ATTY. SHEILA O. DE GUZMAN
Regional Director, RSSO 01

SGD: CAMILLE CARLA U. BELTRAN
Chief Administrative Officer 
(Officer-in-Charge)
Per SO No. RSSO I-2503-0139
Dated 10 March 2025