Philippines inflation rate eases to 8.6%, prices in Siocon prove otherwise

ANGEL CLARISSE A. GARCIA

The prices of goods in the country experienced a minor dip in February as inflation dropped to 8.6 percent from 8.7 percent in the previous month as recorded by Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), but Siocon’s prices defied this trend.

National Statistician Dennis Mapa said that out of the 13 commodity groups being tracked by the PSA, transportation was the sole reason for the decline in the overall inflation, with a 9 percent inflation rate recorded in February from 11.1 percent in January due to a slower increase in gasoline, diesel, and motorcycle prices.

Furthermore, nine commodity groups recorded a rapid incline in February, including food and non-alcoholic drinks, which increased slightly to 10.8 percent from