For March 2025, the inflation rate (IR) in CALABARZON decelerated at 1.8 percent, 0.3 percentage point less than the previous month’s inflation rate. This deceleration was due to the slowdown in the increase in prices of basic commodities in all provinces and highly urbanized city in CALABARZON. Moreover, Cavite recorded the lowest inflation rate at 1.5 percent (refer to Table A).

The headline inflation rate in CALABARZON exhibited a lower rate compared to the IR in March 2024 which was recorded at 3.7 percent. From March 2024 to June 2024 (3.3 percent), the trend showed a downward movement. Inflation then peaked at 4.0 percent in July, the highest inflation recorded for 2024. It dropped to 1.8 percent by September, and slightly increased every month until reaching 3.3 percent by December 2024. By January 2025, it decreased again at 3.1 percent and further decline to 1.8 percent in March 2025.

The decrease in the region’s inflation this month was mainly brought about by the slower increase in prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages at 3.6 percent, from 4.0 percent in February 2025. In addition, the following commodity groups experienced slower inflation rate in March 2025:
a. Transport at -1.0 percent;
b. Restaurants and Accommodation Services at 2.3 percent;
c. Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels at -0.5 percent;
d. Clothing and Footwear at 2.1 percent;
e. Health at 2.6 percent;
f. Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance at 2.1 percent;
g. Recreation, Sport and Culture at 1.8 percent; and
h. Personal Care and Miscellaneous Goods and Services at 2.3 percent.

In contrast, Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco had higher inflation rate in March 2025 at 2.9. While Education Services and Financial Services retained its previous month’s inflation rate as shown in Table B.

A slower increase in prices was recorded for food items from 3.9 percent in February 2025 to 3.6 percent in March 2025 (Table C).

The primary contributor to the slower inflation rate of the Food group is the Cereals and cereal products with an inflation rate of -2.6 percent, from -0.3 percent in February 2025. In particular, price of Rice decreased by -4.4 percent. On the other hand, price of Corn slightly slowed down its increment at 15.4 percent, compared to 16.4 percent in February.

For non-alcoholic beverages, it retained its average increase in prices at 3.2 percent.

Overall, food and non-alcoholic beverages had a slower price increase compared to the same month of the previous year from 4.1 percent in 2024 to 3.6 percent in 2025.

(SGD.)
CHARITO C. ARMONIA
Regional Director

COB/JAS/JRM