1. Philippines

The country’s inflation rate has increased from 4.9 percent in April 2022 to 5.4 percent in May 2022. This was the highest recorded inflation since December 2018. In May of the previous year, inflation was lower at 4.1 percent. (Table 1)

2. Central Visayas Region

The inflation rate in Central Visayas decreased to 5.3 percent in May 2022 from 5.4 percent in April 2022. In May 2021, inflation in the region was at 2.3 percent. (Table 1)

3. Negros Oriental

The province’s inflation rate went down from 6.4 percent on April 2022 to 4.9 percent in May 2022. In May of the previous year, inflation was lower at 4.6 percent. (Figure 1)

The following commodity groups contributed to the downward trend of the inflation during the month of May 2022 compared to the previous month:

        a. Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels, 5.4 percent from 11.3 percent;
       b. Furnishing, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance, 2.2 percent from 3.3            percent;
        c. Personal Care and Miscellaneous Goods and Services, 0.1 percent from 0.7 percent;
        d. Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, 0.7 percent from 0.8 percent; and
        e. Health, 1.1 percent from 1.2 percent;
On the contrary, inflation rates were higher for Transport at 13.8 percent from 12.7 percent; and Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages at 5.6 percent from 5.4 percent.

Six commodity groups retained their previous month’s inflation rates and these were: Restaurants and Accommodation Services at -0.4 percent; Clothing and Footwear, Information and Communication, Education, and Financial Services at 0.0 percent; and Recreation, Sport and Culture at 0.1 percent. (Figure 2)

Approved by:

(SGD.) ARIEL T. FORTUITO
Chief Statistical Specialist