1. A. 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 decreased to 149.5 in October from 150.3 in September while the level for AONCR remained at 157.4.

   Seasonal factors such as the start of the harvest season of rice in some 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 further declined to -0.5 percent in October from -0.4 percent in September. Meanwhile, for AONCR, prices of seasonally adjusted CPI for FBT items remained stable as it posted zero growth this month from 0.3 percent last month.

2. 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 rose to 185.6 and 182.1 in October from their respective September levels of 184.9 and 181.6. Seasonal factors such as the 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 the two areas.

On a monthly basis, prices of seasonally adjusted non-FBT items for NCR and AONCR correspondingly remained at their respective last month's rates of 0.4 percent and 0.3 percent.

Page Last Updated: November 11, 2002