Aklan deflation slows in September 2025

KALIBO, Aklan — Aklan posted a deflation rate of -0.4% in September 2025, easing from -1.4% in August, according to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Deflation, or negative inflation, occurs when overall prices fall compared to the same month a year earlier, using 2018 as the base year.

The slower deflation indicates that while prices are still lower year-over-year, the rate of decline has tapered, with some commodities beginning to register price increases.

Among the 13 major commodity groups, housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels contributed the most to the slower deflation, recording -1.7% in September compared to -4.1% in August.

Electricity prices, in particular, showed a significant upturn — from -18.5% in August to -7.6% in September.

The food and nonalcoholic beverages group followed, with its inflation rate rising from -3.3% in August to -2.5% in September.

This shift was mainly driven by higher prices of vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas, and pulses, which surged from 14.4% to 29.3% over the same period.

The transport sector also influenced the overall rate, as gasoline prices recorded a slower deflation of -2.3% in September compared to -6.4% in August.

As a result of these price changes, the purchasing power of the peso in Aklan weakened to PHP 0.81 in September 2025.

This means that a basket of goods worth PHP 100 in 2018 would cost around PHP 123.80 in September 2025.

Adjusted for inflation, a non-agriculture worker earning PHP 513 per day now has a real income of only PHP 411 in 2018 prices.

In other words, despite receiving the same or higher salaries, workers can now afford fewer goods and services than they could in 2018.

This underscores how inflation and deflation trends affect the real value of income and the daily cost of living.

When prices rise or deflation slows, the peso’s purchasing power declines, making it harder for households to maintain their standard of living.

The PSA emphasized that inflation and purchasing power trends are key indicators of economic well-being, affecting both household budgets and quality of life.

It urged policymakers, planners, and the business sector to adopt responsive strategies to mitigate the impact of inflation and support Aklan’s economic resilience.