The headline inflation or overall inflation in Lucena City increased to 4.0 percent in October 2024, from 3.5 percent in September 2024. This brings the average inflation rate of the city from January to October 2024 to 3.8 percent. In October 2023, inflation rate was lower at 2.7 percent.

The upward movement in the overall inflation in October 2024 was primarily influenced by the faster annual increment in the heavily weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages at 5.2 percent during the month, from an annual increase of 3.7 percent in September 2024.

In addition, the following commodity groups also contributed to the increase during the month: 
a. Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at 7.3 percent, from 7.2 percent; 
b. Health at 0.1 percent, from -0.4 percent; and 
c. Transport at 3.3 percent, from 1.4 percent.

In contrast, the following commodity groups registered lower inflation rates during the month: 
a. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, at 3.3 percent from 4.2 percent; 
b. Recreation, sport and culture at 0.2 percent, from 0.6 percent; and  
c. Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services at 2.3 percent, from 3.7 percent.

Meanwhile, the following commodity groups retained their previous month’s inflation: 
a. Clothing and footwear at 0.9 percent; 
b. Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance at 0.7 percent; 
c. Information and communication at 0.3 percent;  
d. Education services at 2.2 percent; 
e. Restaurants and accommodation services at 2.4 percent; and 
f. Financial services at 0.0 percent.

Food inflation in Lucena City rose to 5.6 percent in October 2024, from 3.9 percent in September 2024. In October 2023, food inflation was lower at 3.2 percent.

The acceleration of food inflation in October 2024 was primarily brought about by the faster inflation rate of meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals at 5.5 percent in October 2024, from 3.2 percent in the previous month.

In addition, the following food groups registered faster annual increases during the month: 
a. Rice at 11.7 percent, from 11.2 percent; 
b. Corn at 36.7 percent, from 35.4 percent; 
c. Fish and other seafood at 6.6 percent, from 4.8 percent; 
d. Milk, other dairy products and eggs at 7.3 percent, from 6.5 percent; 
e. Oils and fats at 4.2 percent, from -5.2 percent; 
f. Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses at -15.1 percent, from -21.1 percent; and 
g. Sugar, confectionery and desserts at 0.4 percent, from -0.7 percent.

On the contrary, lower annual growth rates during the month were observed in the indices of the following food groups: 
a. Flour, bread and other bakery products, pasta products, and other cereals at 2.6 percent, from 3.2 percent; 
b. Fruits and nuts at 27.4 percent, from 32.2 percent. 
c. Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c. at 4.3 percent, from 4.7 percent.

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

NDP/IJCA/EAD