CEBU — Inflation in Central Visayas slowed to 8.1 percent in August from 8.7 percent in July, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority in Central Visayas. The deceleration was driven largely by softer food prices, offering relief to households across the region.
Food Prices Lead the Slowdown
The food and non-alcoholic beverages group eased to 8.5 percent in August from 10.7 percent the previous month. This category alone accounted for 84.7 percent of the overall slowdown, making it the single biggest factor in the region's improved inflation picture.
Within food, vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas, and pulses posted the sharpest decline, dropping to 19 percent from 33 percent. Cereals and cereal products eased to 11.2 percent from 12.9 percent, while fruits and nuts fell dramatically to 9.8 percent from 20 percent.
Restaurants and accommodation services also contributed to the easing, with inflation slowing to 10.3 percent from 11.1 percent. This sector accounted for 7.8 percent of the overall deceleration, reflecting softer price pressures in dining and hospitality services across the region.
Mixed Results Across Commodity Groups
Eight of the 13 major commodity groups tracked by PSA-7 posted lower inflation in August. However, several categories bucked the trend, with transport rising to 16.2 percent from 14.7 percent and housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels climbing to 7.2 percent from 6.6 percent.
Health costs also edged higher, reaching 4.3 percent from 3.7 percent. Despite these increases, the substantial decline in food prices outweighed the upward pressures, resulting in a net slowdown for the region. Food remained the largest contributor to overall inflation, followed by housing and utilities, then transport.
Bohol Bucks the Regional Trend
Among the region's provinces and highly urbanized cities, only Bohol recorded faster inflation in August. Cebu province and the cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue all experienced slower price increases, contributing to the region's overall improvement.
Wilma A. Perante, officer-in-charge of PSA-7, explained that the agency collects price data around the middle of each month to provide government planners with timely information on price movements. She noted that diesel inflation had eased to as low as 1.4 percent by the end of 2025.
Perante expressed optimism about further progress, saying the agency hopes to bring inflation back to lower levels experienced in the past. She emphasized that achieving this goal will require the right interventions from government and industry stakeholders working together.
Cash Aid Protects Vulnerable Families
To shield poor, near-poor, and low-income families from rising costs during the national energy emergency, the government is distributing cash assistance through the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport program provides qualified households with P2,000 monthly from July to December.
In Central Visayas, 135,834 families enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program were set to receive a one-time P2,000 top-up. This additional support aims to help vulnerable households cope with persistent price pressures, particularly in transport and utilities where inflation remains elevated.
