1. CPI of Food, Beverages and Tobacco (FBT): National Capital Region (NCR) and Areas Outside the National Capital Region (AONCR)

   The seasonally adjusted CPI of FBT in NCR and AONCR correspondingly moved up to 137.2 and 143.0 in February from their respective January levels of 136.6 and 141.7.

   Seasonal factors such as the cold weather condition brought lower supply of selected fish species in the markets, thus raising their prices in NCR and AONCR. The start of the observance of the Lenten season also resulted to higher prices of fish in the two areas. Moreover, increased prices of pork in the wet markets were observed during the month due to lesser supply of live hogs brought about by the heavy consumption of pork on the past holiday season. In addition, high cost of feeds and high maintenance cost of farm operations prompted most raisers to lessen production of hogs. All these factors pushed up prices of FBT items in NCR and AONCR relative to the expected trend.

   Compared to last month, prices of the seasonally adjusted CPI for FBT items in NCR and AONCR correspondingly slowed down to 0.4 percent and 0.9 percent from 0.5 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively.

2. CPI of Non-FBT items: National Capital Region (NCR) and Areas Outside the National Capital Region (AONCR)

For technical notes and other related information,
please visit:
http://www.census.gov.ph
or contact the Economic Indicators and Indices Division, NSO
at telephone number 716-3935