The headline inflation in Quezon province eased to 2.1 percent in October 2023, from 3.7 percent in September 2023. The inflation in October 2023 was lower compared to October 2022 inflation which was recorded at 8.3 percent. This makes the average inflation of Quezon province from January to October 2023 at 4.9 percent. 

The downtrend of the October inflation in the province was primarily due to the slower year-on year increment noted in the index for food and non-alcoholic beverage at 2.8 percent, from 5.7 percent in the previous month.  

In addition, slower annual increases were noted in the indices of the following commodity groups during the month: 
a. Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at -1.8 percent, from -0.4 percent; 
b. Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance at 1.6 percent, from 1.8 percent; 
c. Health at 3.6 percent, from 4.5 percent; and 
d. Transport at -0.1 percent, from 3.5 percent.

In contrast, the following commodity groups registered higher inflation rates during the month: 
a. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 6.0 percent, from 5.8 percent; 
b.Recreation, sport and culture at 3.8 percent, from 3.6 percent; and 
c. Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services at 2.1 percent, from 1.8 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. Education services at 5.8 percent;  
d. Restaurants and accommodation services at 5.5 percent; and 
e. Financial services at 0.0 percent.

Inflation for food in the province slowed down to 2.8 percent during the month, from 5.9 percent in September 2023. In October 2022, food inflation was higher at 6.0 percent.

The deceleration of food inflation in October 2023 was primarily influenced by lower annual increment in the index of vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses at 1.3 percent, from 29.7 percent in September 2023. This was followed by fish and other seafood at 1.8 percent, from 5.4 percent.

Lower year-on year growth rates were also noted in the indices of the following food groups during the month: 
a. Milk, other dairy products, and eggs at 6.1 percent, from 6.5 percent; 
b. Oils and fats at -11.8 percent, from -9.3 percent;  
c. Sugar, confectionery and desserts at 7.7 percent, from 13.2 percent; and 
d. Ready-made food and other food products not elsewhere classified at 3.4 percent, from 3.8 percent.

On the other hand, the following food groups posted higher year-on year growth rates during the month: 
a. Rice at 8.4 percent, from 7.7 percent; 
b. Corn at 4.0 percent, from 0.9 percent; and 
c. Fruits and nuts at 1.0 percent, from 0.9 percent.

Meanwhile, the following retained the previous month’s inflation:   
a. Flour, bread and other bakery products, pasta products, and other Cereals at 3.1 percent; and 
b. Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals at -2.4 percent.

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

NDP/MDZR/PFVM/JAS/IJCA