The headline inflation in Lucena City eased further to 2.5 percent in November 2023, from 2.7 percent in October 2023. The inflation in November 2023 was lower compared to November 2022 inflation which was recorded at 6.7 percent. The average inflation rate in Lucena City from January to November 2023 stood at 4.7 percent. 

The downtrend in the inflation rate of Lucena City was primarily due to the lower inflation rate in food and non-alcoholic beverages at 0.9 percent in November 2023, from 3.1 percent in the previous month.

In addition, slower annual increases were noted in the indices of the following commodity groups during the month: 
a. Clothing and footwear at 2.0 percent, from 2.1 percent; and 
b. Health at 1.5 percent, from 2.1 percent.

In contrast, higher annual increments were observed for the following commodity groups during the month: 
a. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 5.8 percent, from 4.5 percent; 
b. Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at 2.3 percent, from 0.2 percent; 
c. Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance at 0.8 percent, from 0.7 percent; 
d. Transport at -0.6 percent, from -1.7 percent; 
e. Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services at 4.0 percent, from 2.9 percent.

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; and 
e. Financial services at 0.0 percent.

Inflation for food in Lucena City decreased to 0.8 percent during the month, from 3.2 percent in October 2023. In November 2022, food inflation was higher at 5.3 percent.

The deceleration in food inflation was mainly brought about by lower annual growth rate in the index of vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses, which declined annually by -10.1 percent, from 6.5 percent recorded in the previous month.

Likewise, lower growth rates of the following food groups were recorded: 
a. Corn at -9.2 percent, from 4.7 percent; 
b. Flour, bread and other bakery products, pasta products, and other cereals at 2.6 percent, from 2.8 percent; 
c. Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals at -3.1 percent, from -0.5 percent; 
d. Milk, other dairy products and eggs at 3.9 percent, from 5.4 percent; and 
e. Ready-made food and other food products not elsewhere classified at 1.6 percent, from 2.6 percent.

In contrast, the following food groups posted higher inflation rates during the month: 
a. Fish and other seafood at -0.6 percent, from -0.8 percent;  
b. Fruits and nuts at 12.8 percent, from 10.9 percent; and 
c. Sugar, confectionery and desserts at 11.7 percent, from 11.6 percent.

Meanwhile, the following retained the previous month’s inflation:   
a. Rice at 7.8 percent; and 
b. Oils and fats at -10.5 percent.

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

NDP/MDZR/PFVM/JAS/IJCA