Central Visayas logs highest inflation rate in February

Local

CENTRAL Visayas recorded the highest inflation rate among the country’s 18 regions in February 2026, as prices of food, household services, and utilities continued to rise.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported the region’s inflation at 6 percent, up from 5.6 percent in January, placing it well above other regions. Caraga followed with 3.6 percent, far behind Central Visayas.

“The primary source of the uptrend in regional inflation was the faster annual increase in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages,” said Engr. Leopoldo P. Alfanta Jr., chief statistical specialist of the PSA 7, during a data dissemination on Monday.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages remained the largest contributor to the February inflation, with prices rising 9.3 percent compared with 8.2 percent in January.

This increase alone contributed nearly half (49.9 percent) of the overall regional inflation. Among the commodities that posted the most significant price hikes were vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas, and pulses such as onions, which jumped 53.3 percent.

Prices of fish and other seafood, including shrimp, rose 17.2 percent, while cereals and cereal products, including rice, recorded 1.4 percent inflation.

Fruits and nuts, including bananas, also contributed 0.33 percentage points to the overall regional inflation.

Housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels were the second major contributor to the inflation uptrend, registering a 4.1 percent increase, up from 3.1 percent in January.

Electricity alone surged 9 percent, while water supply jumped 18.9 percent. Rentals paid by tenants or subtenants increased 2.5 percent, contributing to higher household costs.

Furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance recorded a faster annual increase of 5.6 percent in February, up from 2.8 percent in January.

This category was largely influenced by domestic and household services, which rose 12.8 percent compared with 5.4 percent the previous month.

Restaurants and accommodation services also contributed to inflation, registering 9.7 percent, with restaurants, cafes, and similar establishments being the primary drivers.

Among the 13 major commodity groups tracked by the PSA, seven recorded higher inflation in February 2026 compared with January: food and alcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, clothing and footwear, housing and utilities, furnishings and household equipment, recreation, sport, and culture, and restaurants and accommodation services.

Personal care and miscellaneous goods posted slightly lower inflation at 3.1 percent, while transport recorded a negative inflation of 1.7 percent.

Four commodity groups maintained the same rates as the previous month, including health at 3.1 percent, information and communication at 0.9 percent, education services at 2.6 percent, and financial services at 0 percent.

Food inflation at the regional level rose sharply to 9.8 percent in February 2026, compared with 8.7 percent in January 2026.

Among the 11 food groups, seven saw faster price increases, including corn (10.7 percent), flour and bakery products (3.2 percent), fish and other seafood (17.2 percent), oils and fats (3.4 percent), fruits and nuts such as bananas (20.4 percent), vegetables, sugars, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses (53.3 percent), and ready-made food and other food products (2.8 percent).

Rice posted slower negative inflation at negative 2.3 percent, while meat and other animal products declined from 6.6 percent to 4.5 percent.

Milk, dairy products, and eggs fell to 5.8 percent from 6.1 percent, and sugar, confectionery, and desserts, including ice cream, recorded faster negative inflation at negative 5.1 percent.

At the provincial and city level, all provinces and one highly urbanized city in Central Visayas recorded higher inflation compared with the previous month.

Cebu Province rose to 8 percent from 7.3 percent in January.

Mandaue City saw a faster rate at 5 percent, up from 4.6 percent. Meanwhile, Cebu City posted a slower inflation of 4.6 percent, down from 4.9 percent, and Lapu-Lapu City also recorded a slower rate of 6.9 percent, down from 7.2 percent.

Bohol’s inflation climbed to 3 percent from 2.2 percent.

Inflation among the bottom 30 percent income households in Central Visayas also accelerated to 6.9 percent in February 2026, higher than 6.1 percent in January and 2.2 percent in February 2025.

Rising food prices remained the largest contributor, accounting for 73.7 percent of the increase. Vegetables, cereals, and pulses were the main drivers of food inflation for low-income households.

Housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels contributed 16.4 percent to the overall inflation of the bottom 30 percent, with solid fuels showing the largest increase. Restaurants and accommodation services accounted for 5.1 percent of the uptrend, largely due to higher prices in cafes and restaurants.

PSA officials emphasized that although the 6 percent regional inflation is below the peak of 8.6 percent recorded in 2022, Central Visayas continues to lead the nation, highlighting ongoing cost pressures on households.(MyTVCebu)