THE inflation rate in Davao Region decelerated to 1.9 percent in May 2020 from 2.2 percent in the previous month.
The province of Davao de Oro posted the highest inflation rate at 2.9 percent in May from 3.9 percent in April.
While Davao del Norte has the second-highest inflation rate at 2.7 percent, it has the most significant drop from its April inflation rate of 3.4 percent.
Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental recorded low inflation in May at 1.6 percent and 1.2 percent, respectively.
Philippine Statistics Authority in Davao Region attributed the slowing down of inflation rate from the decrease in the index for housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels at -0.1 percent.
Other indices that contributed to the low inflation are recreation and culture at 2.3 percent, transport at -6.5 percent, and clothing and footwear at 3.7 percent.
It can be noted that the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and General Community Quarantine (GCQ) paralyzed the tourism industry.
There were also limited to regulated movement of the public transportation as well as temporary closures of malls and apparel establishments.
On the other hand, the basic commodities reported higher annual growth rates.
Index of Vegetables rose to -3.8 percent in May from the -7.1 percent in April. In the same period, the rice index also picked up at 0.8 percent from -0.2 percent and Bread and Cereals at 1.2 percent from 0.6.
Slight increases in the indices were also seen in alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 15.8 percent and Health at 4.8 percent during the month.
Food items such as fruits; fish; and sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery showed a significant decrease in their indices at 12.1 percent, 6.6 percent, and 2.6 percent, each.
However, the inflation rate for education and communication is stable at 3.1 percent since its previous month's annual rate.