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 correspondingly went up to 129.5 and 134.5 in May from their respective April levels of 129.2 and 134.2.

   Seasonal factors such as the observance of fiestas in many areas that brought bigger demand of meat raised its prices nationwide. In addition, the insufficient supply of some vegetables generally pushed up prices in NCR. These seasonal factors however, did not push up 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 was at its last month’s rate of 0.2 percent while it dropped in AONCR to 0.1 percent from 0.4 percent in April.

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 corresponding grew to 151.6 and 145.1 in May from their respective April levels of 151.2 and 144.7.

Higher demand of some clothing items due to the observance of fiestas and bigger demand of school supplies for the coming opening of classes were observed during the month. These seasonal factors however, did not push up prices of non-FBT items in the two areas relative to the expected trend.

On the monthly basis, movements in the seasonally adjusted CPI for non-FBT items in NCR and AONCR remained at its last month rate of 0.5 percent and 0.4 percent.

Page last updated: June 5, 2007