1. Increases in the average retail prices of a kilogram of well milled rice, ranging from PhP 0.11 to PhP 2.50, were noted in seven trading centers during the first phase of March 2023 (01 to 05 March 2023) compared with their price levels in the second phase of February 2023 (15 to 17 February 2023). On the other hand, its average retail prices per kilogram dropped by PhP 0.22 in Batangas City and by PhP 0.23 in Kidapawan City during the period. (Table 1)

2. Five trading centers posted hikes in the average retail prices of a kilogram of pork kasim by PhP 0.83 to PhP 10.00 during the first phase of March 2023. However, its average retail prices per kilogram went down by PhP 5.00 in Cebu City, by PhP 10.00 in Cabanatuan City, and by PhP 15.00 in Tuguegarao City during the period. (Table 2)

3. Changes in the average retail prices of a kilogram of bangus varied in 12 trading centers during the first phase of March 2023 relative to their price levels in the second phase of February 2023. Price changes vary from increases of PhP 1.20 to PhP 40.00 and decreases of PhP 2.50 to PhP 45.00. (Table 3)

4. Many trading centers reported decreases in the retail prices of vegetables during the first phase of March 2023. (Table 4)

5. Declines in the retail prices of a kilogram of red onion, ranging from PhP 12.00 to PhP 248.50, were observed in 15 trading centers during the first phase of March 2023. However, its average retail prices per kilogram increased by PhP 85.00 in Cabanatuan City during the period. (Table 5)

6. The average retail prices of a kilogram of banana lakatan differ among the trading centers during the first phase of March 2023. It went up by PhP 1.73 to PhP 12.50 in six trading centers during the period. On the contrary, average retail prices per kilogram decreased by PhP 2.50 in both Tuguegarao City and Calapan City, by PhP 4.00 in Iloilo City, by PhP 10.00 in Cebu City, and by PhP 20.00 in San Fernando City (Region 1). (Table 6)

7. Six trading centers posted declines in the average retail prices of a kilogram of brown sugar, ranging from PhP 1.00 to PhP 4.62, during the first phase of March 2023. Meanwhile, its average retail prices per kilogram rose by PhP 0.28 in the National Capital Region, by PhP 2.00 in Tuguegarao City, and by PhP 4.50 in Cabanatuan City. (Table 7)

DIVINA GRACIA L. DEL PRADO, Ph.D. 
(Assistant National Statistician) 
Officer-in-Charge, Deputy National Statistician 
Sectoral Statistics Office