Food, Beverages and Tobacco (FBT) and Non-FBT Items
(NCR and AONCR - March 2008)

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 and AONCR posted at 140.3 and 144.6 in March were higher than their February levels of 137.4 and 143.0, respectively.

   Seasonal factors such as the prevalence of favorable weather condition during the month generally resulted to abundant supply of vegetables in the wet markets in NCR. In addition, ample supply of in-season fruits was observed. These seasonal factors pushed down prices of FBT items in NCR. However, these seasonal factors did not brought down prices of FBT items in AONCR relative to the expected trend.

   On a monthly basis, prices of seasonally adjusted CPI of FBT items in NCR and AONCR correspondingly picked up by 2.1 percent and 1.1 percent in March from their respective February rates of 0.4 percent and 0.8 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 correspondingly moved up to 156.4 and 152.2 in March from their last month’s respective levels of 155.1 and 151.3.

Bigger demand of selected clothing and footwear items for the graduation season did not pull up prices of non-FBT items in NCR. This seasonal factor did not also affect prices of non- FBT items in AONCR relative to the expected trend.

The monthly rate of change of the seasonally adjusted CPI of non-FBT items in NCR and AONCR respectively climbed by 0.8 percent and 0.6 percent in March from their corresponding February rates of -0.3 percent and 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: April 4, 2008