W. Visayas logs first negative inflation at -0.3%

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Western Visayas posted its first negative inflation in over a year, registering -0.3 percent in August 2025, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority–Regional Statistical Services Office VI (PSA-RSSO VI).

The region’s inflation was at 5.0 percent in August 2024 before gradually declining in the succeeding months.

It dropped to 3.3 percent in September, rose slightly to 4.1 percent in October, then settled at 3.4 percent in both November and December before easing to 4.0 percent in January 2025.

From February onward, inflation declined steadily: 3.1 percent in February, 2.6 percent in March, 1.8 percent in April, 1.5 percent in May, and 0.6 percent in both June and July, before entering negative territory in August.

The downturn was mainly driven by the Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels group, which posted a sharp drop to -1.8 percent in August from 3.5 percent in July.

This was followed by a faster annual decrease in the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages index, which slid to -1.8 percent from -1.5 percent.

Other commodity groups with slower inflation in August included:

-Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, 4.5 percent from 5.3 percent;

-Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Maintenance, 5.3 percent from 5.4 percent;

-Health, 2.2 percent from 2.3 percent;

-Information and Communication, 0.6 percent from 0.9 percent;

-Recreation, Sport and Culture, 3.6 percent from 3.9 percent; and

-Education Services, 3.9 percent from 4.1 percent.

Conversely, inflation in Restaurants and Accommodation Services rose to 4.1 percent from 3.4 percent, while the Transport group recorded a slower decline at -1.0 percent from -2.9 percent.

Food inflation further eased to -2.5 percent in August, down from -2.1 percent in July, and significantly lower than the 7.1 percent posted a year ago.

The decrease was primarily driven by a sharp drop in the Cereals and Cereal Products index, which fell to -13.0 percent from -10.5 percent.

Lower inflation in Meat (1.0 percent from 2.2 percent) and a decline in Fruits and Nuts (-0.4 percent) also contributed.

Meanwhile, higher growth was recorded in Oils and Fats (4.7 percent from 4.1 percent) and in Vegetables, Tubers, Plantains, Bananas, and Pulses (2.4 percent from -4.0 percent).

Most provinces in Western Visayas recorded slower inflation, except Aklan and Guimaras, which posted slight increases. Iloilo recorded the highest inflation at 0.2 percent, while Antique had the lowest at -3.2 percent.

Highly urbanized Iloilo City posted 1.7 percent inflation in August, down from 3.7 percent in July, but still higher than its neighbors.