Slowing Inflation in Guimaras Sparks Economic Concerns

While the recent drop in Guimaras’ inflation rate brings welcome relief to consumers, a data dissemination forum hosted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Guimaras Provincial Statistical Office on April 21, 2025, shed light on the broader economic implications of the slowdown.

The March 2025 Inflation Report was presented by PSA Guimaras Chief Statistical Specialist Nelida B. Losare and enriched by key insights from Provincial Economic Development Officer Francisco E. Gentoral, who challenged the assumption that low inflation is always beneficial.

Gentoral emphasized that the sharp decline in Guimaras’ inflation rate—from 7.2% in March 2024 to 0.2% in March 2025—warrants a deeper look at its hidden consequences, particularly for agriculture-reliant communities.

“Not all low inflation is good news—especially for sectors that depend on stable and fair prices,” Gentoral said.

He explained that price declines were observed in food, utilities and personal care items, offering temporary relief to consumers but potentially shrinking profit margins for farmers and fisherfolk already facing high production costs.

“A drop in food prices may ease household spending, but it also risks reducing the income of the very people producing these goods,” Gentoral added.

Gentoral also highlighted the importance of core inflation, which measures underlying price trends by excluding volatile items such as food and energy.

“This figure rose from 0.8% in February to 1.5% in March, signaling underlying price pressures in key service sectors such as dining, accommodation and alcoholic beverages,” Gentoral said.

He stressed that the continued decline in the purchasing power of the peso is another major concern.

“As of March 2025, one peso now holds the value of only 75 centavos based on 2018 prices—a trend that undermines the capacity of households and small enterprises to save, invest or meet daily necessities,” he said.

Gentoral also weighed in on broader economic implications, noting that while lower service prices might make Guimaras more attractive to tourists, a weakening peso could strain local businesses.

He warned that although inflation in medical goods remains modest, reduced purchasing power might put basic healthcare out of reach for vulnerable families.

“Let’s not be lulled by low inflation,” Gentoral urged.

“Now is the time to uplift the people who fuel our local economy—our farmers, our fishers and our workers. Economic progress must benefit all,” he added.

The forum concluded with a call for inclusive and responsive policymaking aimed at cushioning the effects of inflationary shifts on the most affected sectors.

Meanwhile, Losare emphasized that the forum underscores the agency’s ongoing commitment to providing timely, relevant and actionable data to support evidence-based decision-making at both the local and provincial levels.