The country’s annual headline inflation rate accelerated to 5.2 percent in October from 4.8 percent in September. This was due to higher annual increments in food and non-alcoholic beverages; alcoholic beverages and tobacco; and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels indices. Inflation a year ago was 3.3 percent.

The country’s year-on-year headline inflation at the beginning of the year 2011 advanced to 3.5 percent from 3.0 percent in December. This was effected by higher annual rates recorded in food, beverages and tobacco (FBT), fuel, light and water (FLW) and services index. Inflation during the same month a year ago was 4.3 percent.

The year-on-year headline inflation in the Philippines went up by 4.3 percent in March, the same rate recorded in February. Higher annual growths in services and miscellaneous items index were offsetted by slower annual rates in clothing and fuel, light and water (FLW) index. Inflation during the same month last year was 4.4 percent.