Western Visayas: Inflation in Western Visayas accelerated to 3.6 percent in January 2025, up from 3.4 percent in December, making it the third fastest rate among regions outside the National Capital Region (NCR) and surpassing the 2.9 percent national average.

According to Philippines News Agency, during a briefing on Monday, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Statistical Specialist Miguel Gallego attributed the increase primarily to the higher inflation in food and non-alcoholic beverages, transport, and restaurant and accommodation services. Food and non-alcoholic beverages saw inflation rise from 2.8 percent in December to 3.4 percent in January. The major sources include cereal and other cereal products with a 3.3 percent inflation rate, meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, which posted a 5.2 percent inflation from 2.8 percent, and vegetables, tubers, among others, which recorded a 6.7 percent inflation from 0.8 percent in the preceding month.

Transport inflation increased from 1.8 percent to 2.2 percent, largely due to rising fuel and lubricant costs. Restaurant and accommodation services inflation climbed to 6 percent from 5.6 percent month-on-month, mainly driven by restaurants and caf©s. Out of 13 major commodity groups, eight recorded higher inflation rates in January compared to December.

The following provinces experienced inflation increases: Iloilo Province saw a rise to 5.4 percent from 4.2 percent, the highest in the region. Bacolod City’s inflation increased to 3.3 percent from 2.4 percent. Aklan and Antique experienced inflation increases to 2.3 percent, up from 1.4 and 1.5 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, inflation rates declined in Iloilo City to 5.1 percent from 5.4 percent, while Negros Occidental saw a decrease to 2.7 percent from 3.7 percent. Capiz and Guimaras both recorded a decrease to 2.5 percent and 2.7 percent, respectively, down from 2.8 percent each.

Aklan retained the lowest inflation rate in the region at 2.3 percent, while Iloilo province had the highest at 5.4 percent.