The headline inflation in Lucena City moved down to 2.7 percent in October 2023, from 4.0 percent in September 2023. The inflation in October 2023 was lower compared to October 2022 inflation which was recorded at 7.3 percent. The average inflation rate in Lucena City from January to October 2023 stood at 4.9 percent. 

The downtrend in the inflation rate of Lucena City was primarily due to the lower inflation rate in food and non-alcoholic beverages at 3.1 percent in October 2023, from 5.5 percent in the previous month. This was followed by transport at -1.7 percent, from 5.5 percent.

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 0.2 percent, from 0.3 percent; 
b. Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance at 0.7 percent, from 1.0 percent; and 
c. Health at 2.1 percent, from 2.9 percent.

In contrast, higher annual increments were observed for the following commodity groups during the month: 
a. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 4.5 percent, from 4.2 percent; 
b. Recreation, sport and culture at 3.3 percent, from 2.9 percent; and 
c. Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services at 2.9 percent, from 2.1 percent.

Meanwhile, the following commodity groups retained their previous month’s inflation: 
a. Clothing and footwear at 2.1 percent; 
b. Information and communication at 0.0 percent; 
c. Education services at 5.6 percent;  
d. Restaurants and accommodation services at 8.2 percent; and 
e. Financial services at 0.0 percent.

Inflation for food in Lucena City decreased to 3.2 percent during the month, from 5.8 percent in September 2023. In October 2022, food inflation was higher at 5.4 percent.

The deceleration in food inflation was mainly brought about by lower annual growth rate in the index of vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses, which declined annually by 6.5 percent, from 34.7 percent recorded in the previous month.

Likewise, lower growth rates of the following food group were recorded: 
a. Rice at 7.8 percent, from 8.2 percent; 
b. Fish and other seafood at -0.8 percent, from 0.8 percent;  
c. Milk, other dairy products and eggs at 5.4 percent, from 6.0 percent 
d. Oils and fats at -10.5 percent, from -9.6 percent; and 
e. Sugar, confectionery and desserts at 11.6 percent, from 14.2 percent; and 
f. Ready-made food and other food products not elsewhere classified at 2.6 percent, from 4.0 percent.

In contrast, the following food groups posted higher inflation rates during the month: 
a. Corn at 4.7 percent, from 2.8 percent; 
b. Flour, bread and other bakery products, pasta products, and other cereals at 2.8 percent, from 2.7 percent; 
c. Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals at -0.5 percent, from -0.9 percent; and 
d. Fruits and nuts at 10.9 percent, from 10.6 percent

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

NDP/MDZR/PFVM/JAS/IJCA