The headline inflation or overall inflation in Lucena City eased to 3.0 percent in November 2024, from 4.0 percent in October 2024. This brings the average inflation rate of the city from January to November 2024 to 3.7 percent. In November 2023, inflation rate was lower at 2.5 percent.

The slowdown in the overall inflation in November 2024 was primarily influenced by the slower annual decline in the housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at 1.3 percent during the month, from an annual increase of 7.3 percent in October 2024.

In addition, the following commodity groups registered lower inflation rates during the month: 
a. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, at 2.1 percent, from 3.3 percent; 
b. Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance at 0.6 percent, from 0.7 percent; 
c. Transport at 2.7 percent, from 3.5 percent; 
d. Restaurants and accommodation services at 2.3 percent, from 2.4 percent; and 
e. Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services at 1.1 percent, from 2.3 percent.

In contrast, the inflation rates of the following commodity groups increased during the month: 
a. Food and non-alcoholic beverages at 5.9 percent, from 5.2 percent; and 
b. Health at 0.6 percent, from 0.1 percent.

Meanwhile, the following commodity groups retained their previous month’s inflation: 
a. Clothing and footwear at 0.9 percent; 
b. Information and communication at 0.3 percent;  
c. Recreation, sport and culture at 0.2 percent; 
d. Education services at 2.2 percent; and 
e. Financial services at 0.0 percent.

Food inflation in Lucena City rose to 6.3 percent in November 2024, from 5.6 percent in October 2024. In November 2023, food inflation was lower at 0.8 percent.

The acceleration of food inflation in November 2024 was primarily brought about by the faster inflation rate of vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses at 7.0 percent, from an annual decrease of 15.1 percent in the previous month.

In addition, the following food groups registered faster annual increases during the month: 
a. Corn at 47.1 percent, from 36.7 percent; and 
b. Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals at 6.4 percent, from 5.5 percent.

On the contrary, lower annual growth rates during the month were observed in the indices of the following food groups: 
a. Rice at 11.5 percent, from 11.7 percent; 
b. Flour, bread and other bakery products, pasta products, and other cereals at 2.1 percent, from 2.6 percent; 
c. Fish and other seafood at -0.5 percent, from 6.6 percent; and 
d. Fruits and nuts at 18.7 percent, from 27.4 percent.

The indices of the following food groups remained the same as the previous month: 
a. Milk, other dairy products and eggs at 7.3 percent; 
b. Oils and fats at 4.2 percent; 
c. Sugar, confectionery and desserts at 0.4 percent; and 
d. Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c. at 4.3 percent.

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

NDP/EAD/IJCA