The headline inflation in Lucena City eased to 1.4 percent in January 2024, from 2.6 percent in December 2023. The inflation in January 2024 was lower compared to January 2023 inflation which was recorded at 6.4 percent.

The slowdown in inflation in the province in January 2024 was mainly brought about by the heavily-weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages, which recorded a faster annual decrement of 3.8 percent, from 0.3 percent annual decline in the previous month. This was followed by alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 5.5 percent, from 7.6 percent in December 2023.

Also contributing to the downtrend in the overall inflation were the lower annual increments in the indices of the following commodity groups during the month: 
a. Clothing and footwear at 1.3 percent, from 2.2 percent; 
b. Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance at 0.5 percent, from 0.8 percent; 
c. Health at 0.1 percent, from 1.3 percent; and 
d. Transport at 0.8 percent, from 1.0 percent.

In contrast, among the 13 commodity groups, only the index of and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels recorded an increase at 4.8 percent during the month, from 3.8 percent in December 2023.

Meanwhile, the following commodity groups retained their previous month’s inflation: 
a. Information and communication at 0.0 percent; 
b. Recreation, sport and culture at 3.3 percent; 
c. Education services at 5.6 percent; 
d. Restaurants and accommodation services at 8.2 percent; 
e. Financial services at 0.0 percent; and 
f. Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services at 4.3 percent.

The index of food items in Lucena City recorded a 4.3 percent annual decline during the month, from 0.5 percent annual decrement in December 2023. In January 2023, food inflation was higher at 7.4 percent.

The decline in the food index in January 2024 was primarily brought about by the faster year-on-year decrease in vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses at 35.3 percent during the month, from 15.7 percent decline in December 2023. The index of fish and other seafood also contributed to the decrease in the overall index of food, recorded at 4.7 percent annual decrease, from 1.7 percent annual decrement.

Moreover, lower inflation rates during the month were recorded on the following food items: 
a. Rice at 7.8 percent, from 8.1 percent; 
b. Flour, bread and other bakery products, pasta products, and other cereals at 3.8 percent, from 4.3 percent; 
c. Milk, other dairy products and eggs at 0.8 percent, from 3.7 percent; 
d. Fruits and nuts at 5.0 percent, from 8.4 percent; 
e. Sugar, confectionery and desserts at 0.0 percent, from 2.4 percent; and 
f. Ready-made food and other food products not elsewhere classified at 2.5 percent, from 2.7 percent.

In contrast, the inflation of the following food groups increased during the month: 
a. Corn at -0.6 percent, from -9.2 percent; and 
b. Oils and fats at -9.3 percent, from -9.8 percent;

Meanwhile, the index of meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals retained its previous month’s annual decrease of 4.2 percent.

(SGD.) AIRENE A. PUCYUTAN 
Provincial Statistics Officer 
PSA Quezon

NDP/IJCA/EAD