The headline inflation or overall inflation in Lucena City continued its uptrend as it moved up further to 4.4 percent in January 2025, from 3.3 percent in December 2024. In January 2024, inflation rate was lower at 1.4 percent.

The acceleration in the inflation rate of Lucena City was primarily influenced by the higher annual increase of the heavily-weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages at 11.5 percent during the month, from 7.1 percent in December 2024. The higher year-on-year increase in restaurant and accommodation services at 3.7 percent in January 2025, from 2.4 percent in the previous month also contributed to the uptrend.

Also contributing to the increase in the overall inflation were the higher annual increments in the indices of the following commodity groups during the month: 
a. Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance at 0.6 percent, from 0.5 percent; and 
b. Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services at 0.8 percent, from 0.7 percent.

In contrast, lower inflation rates were noted in the following commodity groups: 
a. Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at -0.8 percent, from 1.3 percent; and 
b. Transport at 1.1 percent, from 3.5 percent.

Meanwhile, the following commodity groups retained their previous month’s inflation: 
a. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 0.3 percent; 
b. Clothing and footwear at 0.5 percent; 
c. Health at 0.6 percent; 
d. Information and communication at 0.3 percent; 
e. Recreation, sport and culture at 0.2 percent; 
f. Education services at 2.2 percent; and 
g. Financial services at 0.0 percent.

Food inflation in Lucena City further increased to 12.5 percent in January 2025, from 7.7 percent in December 2024. In January 2024, food inflation was lower at -4.3 percent.

The acceleration of food inflation in January 2025 was primarily brought about by the annual increment in the index of meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals at 14.0 percent, from 7.0 percent in the previous month.

In addition, the following food groups registered faster annual increases during the month: 
a. Flour, bread and other bakery products, pasta products, and other cereals at 0.6 percent, from 0.4 percent; 
b. Fish and other seafood at 13.1 percent, from 5.5 percent;  
c. Milk, other dairy products and eggs at 7.5 percent, from 7.3 percent; 
d. Oils and fats at 15.7 percent, from 3.4 percent; 
e. Fruits and nuts at 22.2 percent, from 15.9 percent; 
f. Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses at 31.5 percent, from 14.3 percent; and 
g. Sugar, confectionery and desserts at 0.6 percent, from 0.3 percent.

On the contrary, lower annual growth rates during the month were observed in the indices of the following food groups: 
a. Corn at 54.5 percent, from 61.8 percent; and 
b. Ready-made food and other food products not elsewhere classified at 3.2 percent, from 3.6 percent.

Meanwhile, the index of rice retained its previous month’s inflation at 11.1 percent.

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

NDP/EAD/CJMM