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 decreased to 125.8 in March from 125.9 in February while that for AONCR went up to 130.7 from 129.9.

   Seasonal factors such as the prevalence of favorable weather condition during the month resulted to sufficient supply of fish and vegetables in the NCR markets. The abundant supply of the tropical fruits in season in the two areas was also noted. These seasonal factors generally pushed down prices of FBT items in NCR and AONCR relative to the expected trend.

   The month-on-month inflation of seasonally adjusted CPI for FBT items in NCR posted a negative rate of 0.1 percent in March from the 1.5 percent growth in February. Likewise, increases in the prices of seasonally adjusted CPI for FBT items in AONCR slowed down to 0.6 percent from 1.0 percent.

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 respectively at 148.3 and 141.9 in March were higher than their corresponding February levels of 147.0 and 141.1. The graduation season observed during the month generally raised prices of non-FBT items in NCR. However, this seasonal factor did not pull up prices of non-FBT items in AONCR relative to the expected trend.

Compared with February 2006, additions in the prices of seasonally adjusted CPI for non-FBT items in NCR and AONCR slowed down to 0.9 percent and 0.6 percent in March from 1.0 percent and 0.9 percent, respectively.