THE inflation rate in Central Luzon inched up to 4.5 percent in September from 3.6 percent in August 2018.
The rate was the lowest among the 16 regions. It was lower than the 6.7-percent national average in September.
Based on the data released by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the alcoholic beverages and tobacco basked recorded the highest rate of inflation at 11.8 percent, followed by food and non-alcoholic beverages at 8.8 percent, and transportation at 6.3 percent.
Inflation in recreations and culture commodities also rose to 2.6 percent, health commodities at 1.6 percent, housing, water, electricity and other fuels at 1.3 percent, and furnishing, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house at 1.1 percent.
Restaurants and miscellaneous goods and services, and clothing and footwear both recorded an inflation rate of 0.8 percent while education is the only commodity group that recorded deflation of 6.1 percent.
Neda said the government is already implementing immediate reforms to reduce food prices.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has committed to replicating the issuance of certificates of necessity to allow importation of different kinds of fish.
The National Food Authority is set to release 4.6 million sacks of rice to the market.
The agency is also set to deliver 2 million sacks of rice from previously contracted dealers to address the rice supply issues.
To reduce the gap between the farm gate and retail prices, the DA and Department of Trade and Industry will convene poultry producers and set up public markets where producers can sell directly to the end-customer.
The Sugar Regulatory Administration is also set to open the importation of sugar to ensure stable prices.
The Bureau of Customs for its part has committed to prioritize the release of essential food items in the ports.
The prices of vegetable are expected to go down after the rainy season.
The Department of Energy, meanwhile, is proposing measures to reduce the country’s energy demand.
These include the organization e-Power Mo program, the modernization of public utility jeepneys, and the granting of fuel subsidies to canned sardines and other food manufacturers that are relying on fuel products.