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 moved up to 160.3 and 175.9 in February from their respective January levels of 158.6 and 174.1.

   The continuous rains experienced in some producing provinces in Mindanao during the month has affected the supply levels of fruits and vegetables in the wet markets of these areas. Selected fish species were priced higher due difficulty in catching fish that usually settle deep in the waters during the cold mornings. These seasonal factors generally pushed up the movements in the prices of FBT items in AONCR. However, these seasonal factors did not affect prices of FBT items in NCR.

   On a monthly basis, price movement of the seasonally adjusted CPI for FBT items in NCR and AONCR were respectively registered at 1.1 percent and 1.0 percent in February. These were higher than their corresponding growth rates of 0.7 percent and 0.9 percent in January.

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 increased to 175.2 and 169.6 in February from their last month’s levels of 173.2 and 168.5, respectively.

Seasonal factors such as the production of selected goods in preparation for the graduation season pushed down prices of non-FBT items in NCR and AONCR relative to the expected trend.

Measured a month ago, prices of the seasonally adjusted CPI for non-FBT items in NCR grew to 1.2 percent in February from 0.8 percent in January. Meanwhile, for four consecutive months, the increment in the prices of the seasonally adjusted CPI for non-FBT items in NCR was still posted at 0.7 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