Food prices push Guimaras’ June 2026 inflation to 5.1 percent

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Higher food prices pushed Guimaras’ headline inflation to 5.1 percent in June, up from 4.7 percent in May, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The province’s inflation rate was also higher than the 0.5 percent recorded in June 2025, bringing the year-to-date average inflation rate to 2.6 percent.

Despite the increase, Guimaras’ inflation remained lower than the national rate of 6.4 percent and the Western Visayas average of 6.8 percent.

PSA-Guimaras Chief Statistical Specialist Nelida B. Losare said food and nonalcoholic beverages accounted for the largest share of the province’s inflation, contributing 40.9 percent, or 2.09 percentage points, to the overall rate.

The food index accelerated to 4.2 percent in June from 3.0 percent in May, driven mainly by higher prices of cereals and cereal products, fish and other seafood, and vegetables.

Transport remained the second-largest contributor to inflation despite easing to a 24.9 percent annual increase from 27.5 percent in May, reflecting the continued impact of passenger transport services and the operation of personal transport equipment on household expenses.

Inflation also accelerated in restaurants and accommodation services, rising to 2.6 percent from 1.5 percent a month earlier.

Education services rebounded to 2.0 percent after posting a negative 0.8 percent inflation rate in May.

Meanwhile, inflation slowed in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, as well as health, helping temper overall price increases during the month.

Asked about the inflation outlook, Losare said the PSA does not issue forecasts but noted that the commodity groups driving June’s inflation could continue to exert upward pressure on consumer prices if costs keep rising.

“Aside from these, external factors such as adverse weather conditions that affect agricultural production, supply disruptions, and changes in transportation and fuel costs could also influence consumer prices,” she said.

She said a prolonged rainy season or the onset of El Niño could disrupt agricultural production and reduce the supply of vegetables and other farm products, particularly rice.

“Likewise, outbreaks of pests or diseases such as African swine fever could contribute to higher prices. We also cannot discount the impact of volatile gasoline and oil prices,” she added.

The PSA monitors inflation through the Consumer Price Index, which measures the average change over time in the prices of commonly purchased goods and services and serves as a key indicator for tracking the cost of living.

Among Western Visayas provinces, Guimaras posted the second-lowest inflation rate in June, behind Capiz at 3.9 percent.

Antique recorded the highest inflation rate at 9.2 percent, followed by Iloilo Province at 7.5 percent, Aklan at 7.3 percent, and Iloilo City at 6.6 percent.

Guimaras’ purchasing power of the peso remained at PHP 0.72 for the third consecutive month, meaning PHP 1.00 had the equivalent buying power of 72 centavos compared with its value in 2018.