Year-on year headline inflation rate for all items in the Philippines reached 8.3 percent in April 2008, the highest since May 2005, as posted in the National Statistics Office (NSO) website.  The headline inflation rates for April 2008 in the National Capital Region (NCR) and areas outside NCR were 7.4 percent and 8.7 percent, respectively. The core inflation for April 2008 also reached 5.9 percent. 

In the NCR, the seasonally adjusted consumer price index (CPI) of food, beverages and tobacco (FBT) and non-FBT items in April 2008 increased by 2.3 and 1.7 percent, respectively, compared to March 2008. In areas outside NCR, the seasonally adjusted CPI for FBT increased by 3.5 percent while the non-FBT exhibited a decreased by 0.5 percent for April 2008 compared to the previous month. 

The generation of the inflation rates based on the CPI and the generation of seasonally-adjusted CPI are designated statistical activities of the NSO under Executive Order 352, Designation of Statistical Activities That Will Generate Critical Data for Decision-Making of the Government and the Private Sector, issued on July 1, 1996.  Per EO, data on CPI and seasonally-adjusted CPI should be made available five days and ten days, respectively, after the reference month.  The NSO released the April 2008 data on CPI and seasonally-adjusted CPI on May 6, 2008.  The CPI uses 2000 as base year.

For further inquiries, please contact Ms. Rosie B. Sta. Ana, Chief of the Economic Indicators and Indices Division of the NSO, at telefax numbered 716-39-35 or e-mail address R.Staana@census.gov.ph.

Link to data sources:
http://www.census.gov.ph/data/pressrelease/2008/cp0804tx.html
http://www.census.gov.ph/data/pressrelease/2008/cpsa0804tx.html