Food, Beverages and Tobacco (FBT) and Non-FBT Items
(NCR and AONCR - December 2007)

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 picked up to 135.9 and 140.0 in December from their respective November levels of 134.7 and 138.8.

   The bigger demand of food items such as meat, fruits, vegetables and fish species during the holiday season pushed up FBT prices in NCR relative to the expected trend. On the other hand, this seasonal factor did not raise prices of FBT items in AONCR.

   On a monthly basis, prices of seasonally adjusted CPI for FBT items in NCR and AONCR moved up by 0.9 percent in December from 0.5 percent and 0.8 percent, respectively.

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 posted correspondingly at 155.2 and 149.1 were higher than their respective November levels of 154.4 and 148.1. Seasonal factors like the higher demand for selected goods due to the holiday season did not increase prices of non-FBT items in NCR. Meanwhile, prices of non-FBT items in AONCR were generally pushed up by these seasonal factors.

Prices of seasonally adjusted CPI for non-FBT items in NCR rose to 0.5 percent in December compared to the 0.2 percent growth last month. Similarly, prices of these items in AONCR grew by 0.7 percent from 0.5 percent.

For technical notes and other related information,
please visit:
http://www.census.gov.ph
or contact the Economic Indicators and Indices Division, NSO
at telephone number 716-3935

Page last updated: January 8, 2008