The annual headline inflation at the national level eased to 5.1 percent in July from 5.2 percent in June. This was primarily due to the slower annual increase in the heavily weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages index. Deceleration in the annual growths in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, health; transport; and restaurants and miscellaneous goods and services indices also contributed to the downtrend. Inflation a year ago was 3.7 percent.

The country’s year-on-year headline inflation continued to move up at a slower rate of 4.7 percent in August from 5.1 percent in July. It resulted from the continued deceleration in the annual increment in the heavily weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages index. Slowdowns in the indices of clothing and footwear; housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; recreation and culture; and education and a negative annual change in communication index also contributed to the downtrend. Inflation a year ago was 4.0 percent.

The year-on-year headline inflation in the Philippines inched up to 4.8 percent in September from 4.7 percent in August. Higher annual increases in the indices of clothing and footwear; housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; health; transport; and recreation and culture were noted during the month. Inflation a year ago was 3.9 percent.