1. CPI of Food, Beverages and Tobacco (FBT): National Capital Region (NCR) and Areas Outside the National Capital Region (AONCR)
   

   The seasonally adjusted CPI of FBT items in NCR slightly went up to 156.4 in December from 156.3 in November. Likewise, the seasonally adjusted CPI of FBT items in AONCR increased to 159.9 in December from 159.6 last month.

   The observance of the holiday season pushed up prices of selected FBT items in NCR during the month. On the other hand, the same seasonal factor did not affect prices of FBT items in AONCR relative to the expected trend.

   The month-on month inflation of the seasonally adjusted CPI for FBT items in NCR and AONCR correspondingly decelerated to 0.1 percent and 0.2 percent from their respective November rates of 0.4 percent and 0.3 percent.

2. CPI of Non-FBT items: National Capital Region (NCR) and Areas Outside the National Capital Region (AONCR)

The seasonally adjusted CPI of non-FBT items in NCR and AONCR respectively picked up to 197.2 and 190.1 in December from their corresponding November levels of 196.7 and 189.5.

The increased production of selected items for the holiday season generally pulled down prices of non-FBT items in the two areas relative to the expected trend.

Compared to last month, prices of seasonally adjusted non-FBT items in NCR and AONCR still remained at 0.3 percent.

Page last updated: January 9, 2004