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 in NCR and AONCR correspondingly went up to 161.1 and 166.0 in May from their respective April levels of 160.8 and 164.9.

   Seasonal factors such as the observance of fiestas in many areas that brought bigger demand of meat raised its prices nationwide. In addition, the stormy weather conditions experienced in the country resulted to higher prices of selected fruits and vegetables in NCR during the month. On the other hand, the start of harvest season of rice pulled down its prices in selected areas in AONCR.

   On a monthly basis, prices of seasonally adjusted FBT items in NCR increased at a slower rate of 0.2 percent in May from 0.6 percent in April. Likewise, prices of seasonally adjusted FBT item in AONCR moved up at 0.7 percent in May, same rate posted in April.

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 registered at their corresponding May levels of 197.9 and 193.1 were higher than their respective last month's levels of 196.3 and 192.2. The higher demand of some clothing items and school supplies due respectively to the observance of fiestas and the coming opening of classes did not push up prices of non-FBT items in NCR and AONCR relative to the expected trend.

The month-on-month inflation of the seasonally adjusted CPI for non-FBT items in NCR and AONCR correspondingly picked up at 0.8 percent and 0.5 percent in May from 0.7 percent and 0.3 percent.

Page last updated: June 10, 2004