Guimaras Inflation Rises to 0.5% in April 2025

Guimaras’ inflation rate rose to 0.5% at the start of the second quarter of 2025, up from 0.2% in March, driven mainly by price increases in heavily weighted non-food items, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

“The uptrend in overall inflation in April 2025 was primarily influenced by the faster annual increase in the index for restaurants and accommodation services, which surged 10.1% during the month from -3.2% in March,” said Provincial Statistics Officer Nelida B. Losare.

She added that faster annual price increases in transport, which rose to 1.6% from -0.1% in March, and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, which climbed to 1.5% from 0.9%, also contributed to the higher inflation.

Restaurants and accommodation services accounted for 70.1% of the April inflation uptrend, while transport and housing-related costs contributed 12.6% and 10.2%, respectively.

Guimaras Inflation Rises to 0.5% in April 2025

Guimaras’ inflation rate rose to 0.5% at the start of the second quarter of 2025, up from 0.2% in March, driven mainly by price increases in heavily weighted non-food items, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

“The uptrend in overall inflation in April 2025 was primarily influenced by the faster annual increase in the index for restaurants and accommodation services, which surged 10.1% during the month from -3.2% in March,” said Provincial Statistics Officer Nelida B. Losare.

She added that faster annual price increases in transport, which rose to 1.6% from -0.1% in March, and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, which climbed to 1.5% from 0.9%, also contributed to the higher inflation.

Restaurants and accommodation services accounted for 70.1% of the April inflation uptrend, while transport and housing-related costs contributed 12.6% and 10.2%, respectively.

In April 2025, restaurants and accommodation services had the largest influence on Guimaras’ inflation rate, contributing 0.47 percentage points or 93.9%, driven by a notable 10.3% increase in full-service dining.

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco followed, contributing 0.36 percentage points or 72.0%, largely due to spirits and liquors, which saw a 10.7% inflation rate.

Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels had a 36.7% share, contributing 0.18 percentage points to the overall rate, particularly due to rising electricity prices from all sources.

Losare said core inflation, which excludes selected food and energy items, accelerated to 2.7% in April 2025 from 1.5% in March, though it was higher at 3.3% in April 2024.

“Core inflation excludes volatile items such as food and energy, providing a clearer perspective on long-term price trends,” she said.

From April 2024 to April 2025, inflation trends across Western Visayas provinces varied, with Antique and Guimaras initially posting the highest rates before dropping significantly.

Antique and Aklan experienced deflation by April 2025.

Inflation peaked at different times across provinces—especially in May, July and August 2024—before steadily declining in early 2025.

Iloilo had the most stable inflation trend, while Antique showed the greatest fluctuations.

On average, Iloilo recorded the highest inflation and Aklan the lowest, underscoring varied economic conditions across the region.

“The inflation rate reflects the change in the consumer price index, measured against the same period the previous year or month,” Losare explained.

“In April 2025, Guimaras posted a CPI of 132.4, meaning a typical household needed PHP1,324 to purchase what PHP1,000 could buy in 2018,” she said.

“The purchasing power of the peso in Guimaras was at 0.76 in March 2025, indicating that one peso in 2018 is now worth 76 centavos,” she added.