1. A. 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 recorded at 130.5 and 132.9 in October were higher than their respective September levels of 129.0 and 132.2.

   Seasonal factors such as the stormy weather conditions experienced during the month resulted to lower supplies of food items such as, fruits, vegetables and meat in NCR and AONCR markets. These seasonal factors thus generally pushed 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 and AONCR correspondingly increased by 1.2 percent and 0.5 percent in October from their respective rates of -0.2 percent and 0.1 percent.

2. B. 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 decreased to 151.1 in October from 151.2 in September while that of AONCR remained at its September level of 144.4. Seasonal factors such as production of selected goods in preparation for holiday season resulting to adequate supply of goods in the markets pushed down prices of non-FBT items in the two areas.

Compared with September 2006, additions in the prices of seasonally adjusted CPI for non-FBT items in NCR posted a negative rate of 0.1 percent in October from 0.1 percent growth in September. Prices of seasonally adjusted CPI for non-FBT items in AONCR registered a zero growth in October from the last month’s rate of 0.2 percent.

Page last updated: November 7, 2006