The headline inflation in Quezon province slowed down further to 1.7 percent in November 2023, from 2.1 percent in October 2023. The inflation in November 2023 was lower compared to November 2022 inflation which was recorded at 7.9 percent. This brings the average inflation of Quezon province from January to November 2023 to 4.6 percent. 

The downtrend of the November inflation in the province was primarily brought about by the lower year-on year growth rate of the heavily weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages at 1.2 percent in November 2023 from 2.8 percent in October 2023.

In addition, annual decreases were noted in the indices of the following commodity groups during the month: 
a. Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance at 1.5 percent, from 1.6 percent; 
b. Health at 3.4 percent, from 3.6 percent; and 
c. Transport at -0.6 percent, from -0.1 percent.

In contrast, the following commodity groups registered higher inflation rates during the month: 
a. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 7.1 percent, from 6.0 percent; 
b. Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at -0.3 percent, from -1.8 percent; and 
c. Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services at 2.6 percent, from 2.1 percent.

Meanwhile, the following commodity groups retained their previous month’s inflation: 
a. Clothing and footwear at 2.2 percent; 
b. Information and communication at 0.0 percent; 
c. Recreation, sport and culture at 3.8 percent; 
d. Education services at 5.8 percent;  
e. Restaurants and accommodation services at 5.5 percent; and 
f. Financial services at 0.0 percent.

Inflation for food in the province slowed down to 1.0 percent during the month, from 2.8 percent in October 2023. In November 2022, food inflation was higher at 6.2 percent.

The food groups with lower year-on year growth rates during the month were the following: 
a. Rice at 7.8 percent, from 8.4 percent; 
b. Corn at -9.2 percent, from 4.0 percent; and 
c. Flour, bread and other bakery products, pasta products, and other Cereals at 2.9 percent, from 3.1 percent; 
d. Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals at -3.5 percent, from -2.4 percent; 
e. Milk, other dairy products, and eggs at 4.2 percent, from 6.1 percent; 
f. Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses at -9.9 percent, from 1.3 percent; and 
g. Sugar, confectionery and desserts at 6.2 percent, from 7.7 percent.

On the other hand, the following food groups posted higher year-on year growth rates during the month: 
a. Fruits and nuts at 3.3 percent, from 1.0 percent; and 
b. Ready-made food and other food products not elsewhere classified at 3.5 percent, from 3.4 percent.

Meanwhile, the following retained the previous month’s inflation:   
a. Fish and other seafood at 1.8 percent; and 
b. Oils and fats at -11.8 percent.

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

NDP/MDZR/PFVM/JAS/IJCA