March Inflation Rate Inched Down to 1.7% in CAR

The region's year-on-year inflation went down to 1.7 percent in March from 1.8 percent in February.  The rate was brought down by the decrease of 2 percentage points in the rate of fuel, light and water (FLW) from 2.1% in February.  Regional inflation a year ago was 5.9 percent.

The national inflation in March increased to 3.6 percent from 3.4 percent in February.  The National Capital Region (NCR) posted the highest rate at 5.1 percent while Cagayan Valley (Region II) recorded the lowest inflation rate at 1.3 percent.  The second lowest rate was observed in the Cordillera Region which continue to experience a downward trend since May 2001.

The Cordilleras registered increased rates in prices of three commodity groups namely food, beverage and tobacco (0.1%), miscellaneous (0.2%) and clothing (0.7%).  The rest of the commodity groups slowed down.