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 went down to 148.8 in November from 149.4 in October. Likewise, the seasonally adjusted CPI of FBT items in AONCR decreased to 157.0 in November from 157.3 last month.

Seasonal factors such as the on-going harvest season of rice in selected provinces pushed down its prices in NCR and AONCR relative to the expected trend.

The month-on-month inflation of the seasonally adjusted CPI for FBT items in NCR continued to post a negative rate of 0.4 percent in November from -0.5 percent in October. Prices of FBT items in AONCR also declined to -0.2 percent in November from zero growth last month.

• B. 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 correspondingly picked up to 186.5 and 182.7 in November from their respective October levels of 185.6 and 182.1. Seasonal factors such as the continued production of selected goods in preparation for the holiday season resulting to adequate supply of goods in the markets pushed down prices of non-FBT items in NCR. However, prices of non-FBT items in AONCR were not affected by these seasonal factors.

  Compared to October 2002, prices of seasonally adjusted non-FBT items in NCR were up by 0.5 percent in November from last month's 0.3 percent. Meanwhile, for AONCR, prices of seasonally adjusted CPI for non-FBT items still moved at its last month's rate of 0.3 percent.

  For technical notes and other related information,
  please visit the NSO Website at www.census.gov.ph
  or contact the Economic Indicators and Indices Division, NSO
  at telephone number 7163935

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  Page Last Updated: December 10, 2002