CEBU Province’s inflation rate climbed to 3.5 percent in February 2025, up from 3.2 percent in January, indicating a faster pace of price increases, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-Cebu on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
This figure mirrors the December 2024 inflation rate of 3.5 percent, highlighting fluctuations in the province’s overall price movement.
The main contributors to the inflation uptrend were transport and housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, accounting for 67.8 percent and 32.2 percent of the increase, respectively.
On the other hand, food inflation recorded a decline, with lower prices of cereals, fruits and nuts, and meat. The food inflation rate dropped to 4.4 percent in February, from 4.9 percent in January 2025.
Meanwhile, the transport sector saw a 10.9 percent increase, making it the primary driver of inflation from January to February.
Despite the slight uptick, PSA-Cebu chief statistical specialist Melchor Bautista assured that food prices remain relatively affordable.
“For example, the price of corn rice is at P30. With a three percent increase in inflation, there’s only a slight price hike of three percent,” Bautista explained in Cebuano.
The inflation rate for meat and other slaughtered land animals eased to 5.9 percent in February, down from 6.3 percent in January and 5.1 percent in December 2024. This suggests a more stable supply of these commodities.
Meanwhile, cereals, fruits and nuts experienced notable price drops. Inflation in cereals dropped to 4.1 percent from 6.6 percent in January while inflation in fruits and nuts declined to 8.1 percent from 10.9 percent.
Fish seafood and vegetables saw price increases. Inflation in fish and seafood rose to 6.2 percent from 5.8 percent in January. Inflation in vegetables, tubers, plantains and pulses went up to 10.1 percent from seven percent in January.
Moreover, inflation rates in Cebu’s tri-cities showed mixed trends.
The inflation rate in Cebu City stood at 2.2 percent in February, down from 2.4 percent in January; Mandaue City at 1.5 percent, down from 2.1 percent; and Lapu-Lapu City at 2.2 percent down from 2.7 percent.
The country’s inflation rate slowed down in February to 2.1 percent, down from 2.9 percent in January 2025. / Cian Napalit, BiPSU Comm Intern
